The band was originally a duo, but before making their third album they added a drummer to the band. The band currently consists of 3 members:
Biggi Hilmars: Guitar, Vocals
Kjartan: Keyboards
Jón Geir: Drums
Those in the know will have first come across the band through their two critically acclaimed electronic based albums released in their homeland. The second of these (“Made for Market”) was considered by many local critics the best Icelandic album of 2003. Their one supporter outside Iceland was John Peel.
Keen to develop their sound the band bunkered down in their own studio and over time developed a more organic and song based direction moving away from the more electronic influences of their earlier material. The first examples of the band’s new direction were demo versions of two songs, “My Delusions” and “Don’t let me down” which saw the light of day early in 2005. These tracks were instantly picked up on by Radio 1’s; Zane Lowe who played “My delusions” on several occasions and invited the band to play live on his show from Austin, Texas, during this year’s SXSW music festival. AMPOP played alongside The Bravery, Hot Hot Heat, The Blood Arm and Queens of the Stone Age as the only unsigned band.
Other important DJs such as Huw Stephens and Vic Galloway at Radio 1, or Vic McGlynn at BBC 6 Music have also put the stamp of approval to the new songs and have championed the band in their radio shows.
After the successful appearance at SXSW the band went back to their studio to finish the album, stopping only to play in NY and the NXNE festival in Toronto. The first single off the new album, “My delusions”, gets a UK release via Relentless Records imprint Stimulus Records , who spotted the band live in Austin, on November the 28th.
The band has been invited to support KT Tunstall in Aberdeen on October the 4 th at a Radio 2 event, and will be playing London next to launch the single on November the 28 th at Islington Bar Academy.
Meanwhile, back in Iceland, the brand new album, “My delusions”, is now out via Dennis Records/Sena and is getting rave reviews and extensive radio play.
Studio albums
Sail to the moon (2006)
My Delusions (2005)
Made For Market (2002)
Nature Is Not A Virgin (2000)
Singles
Gets me Down (2006)
My Delusions / Youth (2005)
Made For Market (2002)
Distance
Ampop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
over the phone
She sounds so nicely
when she's not around
She might find another one
while I am away
It's so far away, so far away
She sounds unfriendly
over the phone
I'm worried about her
She might turn me down
It's so far away, so far away
So far away now, too far for me
The lyrics to "Distance" by Ampop appear to be describing a long-distance relationship. The opening lyrics paint a picture of a partner who sounds friendly and lovely over the phone, but who is not present physically. There is a sense of longing and uncertainty in the lines, as the singer fears their partner might find another while they are away. The repetition of "so far away" emphasizes the distance between them and further underscores the singer's feelings of loneliness and isolation.
As the song progresses, a sense of tension begins to emerge. The partner now sounds unfriendly over the phone, and the singer is worried about being rejected. The repetition of "so far away" takes on a different tone here - it is no longer just a statement of distance, but also a statement of emotional disconnect. By the end of the song, the distance between them feels insurmountable, as the singer concludes that the partner is "too far for me."
Overall, the lyrics to "Distance" capture the complex emotions that can arise in a long-distance relationship. There is a sense of yearning and longing, but also fear and uncertainty. The repetition of "so far away" emphasizes just how difficult it can be to maintain a relationship when physical distance separates you.
Line by Line Meaning
She sounds so friendly over the phone
The person on the other end of the phone sounds amiable and pleasing to talk to
She sounds so nicely when she's not around
The singer perceives the person as lovely when they are not physically present
She might find another one while I am away
There is a chance the person being talked about might start a relationship with someone else during the singer's absence
It's so far away, so far away So far away now
The distance between the artist and the person being talked about is significant and makes the relationship seem impossible
She sounds unfriendly over the phone
The person on the other end of the phone seems unapproachable and uninterested in the conversation
I'm worried about her
The singer is concerned about the well-being of the person being talked about
She might turn me down
There is a possibility that the person being talked about might reject the singer's advances
It's so far away, so far away So far away now, too far for me
The distance is too great for the artist, making it difficult to maintain a relationship or connection with the person being talked about
Contributed by Riley G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@meriahrz3235
You Icelandics are so talented~ Beautiful song!
@GreatNorthGolden
I like Ampop alot and Im hoping they will stick together and come out with more good songs... I like Clown and Precious also.... both very good songs...
@bombjela
AMPOP rocks!!! Lyrically and musically. Greetings from Singapore.
@FantasyJunkie
I love this band! Sucks I missed you guys when you were in New York for my birthday. =[ Keep up the great music!!!
@kronos8644
Been listening to you guys for years now - It's shameful how many likes and subscribers you have... I wish so much that you guys would be spread globally. Beautiful music - You only need to shared just a bit to get out there... Ah, and before I forget, would you allow me to use some of your songs in my channel? As always, I'll make sure to credit and advertise the artists :) To give further incentive, what can it hurt? ;D
@JWmson
Excellent - please post more! During the SXSW music festival, AMPOP played alongside The Bravery, Hot Hot Heat, The Blood Arm and Queens of the Stone Age as the only unsigned band.
@leticiaafmarques
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it! This music is simply amazing! *.* Greetings from Portugal ;D
@FantasyJunkie
I've been listening to them for about 6-7 years now. Wish they were bigger in the States.
@fraktaltv
Nice! i like your music ! greetings from Mexico =)
@BiggiHilmars
Thank you! All of those other musicians are our friends, glad you like them too ;)