Icelandic singer-songwriter joins local musician for an intimate gig

Icelandic singer songwriter Kalli will be playing in The Continental's snug. Pic Kalli — Icelandic singer-songwriter Kalli will be playing in The Continental’s snug. Pic Kalli

An Icelandic singer-songwriter is set to play an intimate gig at The Continental next month. Kalli, the former frontman of Reykjavik-based band Without Gravity, will be joining local songwriter Mark Whiteside (One Sided Horse) in the venue’s snug. We went to find out more.

“Eleven years ago, I was recommended a beautiful album filled with haunting melodies and music on iTunes,” said Mark. “I knew nothing about the singer-songwriter, other than I loved what I heard. A few years later I wrote to him and I was really surprised when he replied.”

The singer-songwriter was Kalli, from Iceland but then living in San Francisco. Over the years the two musicians stayed in contact, eventually deciding to record music together.

“It’s not every day you get to work with a singer you admire so much,” said Mark.

After nine months of writing and sending music back and forth the two musicians released a single on Butterfly Effect Records and planned to make more music. Unfortunately, Kalli was on the move again, this time to Spain and the plans were shelved – until now.

“We chatted about Kalli coming over to the UK,” said Mark. “And I’m delighted to say he will be flying over to play in The Continental’s snug. This will be a rare chance to see a great singer.”

One Sided Horse will be supporting in The Continental's snug. Pic Mark Whiteside — One Sided Horse will be supporting in The Continental’s snug. Pic Mark Whiteside

As well as supporting Kalli at The Continental, Mark is also celebrating the release of his second full band album under his One Sided Horse moniker. His first album featured him playing alongside 90’s music chart toppers Embrace. His latest album My Favourite City at Night in the Rain was recorded over a year and a half in Bradford and produced and mixed by Embrace’s keyboardist Mickey Dale. The album features a variety of musicians including Phil Hartley from Space, Steve Firth, and Mike Heaton from Embrace, singer, songwriter, and pianist Carol Hodge, bass player Norm Helm, and Gareth Cole.

Kalli will be playing in The Continental’s Snug on Wednesday 8^th November supported by One Sided Horse (Mark Whiteside). It will be a pay-what-you-wish donation.

Find out more about Kalli here and listen to his music here.

Follow One Sided Horse on Facebook.