Dikta

Artist Information

Biography

Dikta play alternative pop/rock, proudly. Their songs are epic in size and in heart. Melodic and dynamic while telling the tales of hearts broken and mended. Songs you sing along with, songs that will get stuck in your head, make you wonder, then make you want to sing them all over again.

2011 was a good year for Dikta. Well, let's say quite good. Their third full-length, 'Get It Together', reached Platinum in their home country, received four awards at the Listener's Choice Awards, their song 'Thank You' became the most played song in Icelandic radio history, the re-release of the 2006 album, 'Hunting For Happiness' peaked at number 4 on the album charts and in the meantime they played non-stop all across the country.

Dikta will release a new single called 'What are you waiting for?' in April, from the album 'Trust Me' that will be released in June 2012.

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Booking: Philipp Jacob - philipp@assconcerts.com (Europe)

Instrumentation

Haukur (vocals, guitar, piano)
JB (guitar, backup vocals)
Nonni (drums)
Skuli Z (bass, keyboard, backup vocals)

Discography

2012: Album "Trust Me"
2011: Album "Get It Together"
2005: Album "Hunting For Happiness"

Official Website

http://www.dikta.is

Links

• youtube.com/diktamusic
• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace
• Last.fm
• iLike
• dikta.net

Audio

• Dikta - What are you waiting for? JEM
  Listen  
• Thank You
  Listen  
• Breaking The Waves
  Listen  
• From Now On
  Listen  
• Let Go
  Listen  
• Someone, Somewhere
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Breaking The Waves
• Someone, Somewhere

Video

Breaking The Waves

Photo Gallery

Press

• Dikta on top of their game (Nov 2009) [+ Show ]
  

  "Dikta are a band with heart and soul, enormous vocals and sweeping sounds. Last year they filled Th..."Dikta are a band with heart and soul, enormous vocals and sweeping sounds. Last year they filled The Art Museum with a noise that headiners Vampire Weekend and CSS struggled to match when they followed onto the stage. They're a band on top of their game right now."
  
  http://iceblah.typepad.com/mostly_music_lots_of_it_i/2009/10/iceland-airwaves-preview-3-the-nearly-there-edition.html

• Dikta UK Album Review [+ Show ]
  

  The reason that Icelandic music sounds the way it does, is that Icelandic music developed in complet...The reason that Icelandic music sounds the way it does, is that Icelandic music developed in complete isolation - they weren’t invaded, occupied and generally kept themselves to themselves - so they didn’t have the melting pot of influences til relatively recently. Hence, by the time they were, they’d developed their own unique sound. Hence Sigur Ros, Sugarcubes etc etc.
  
  History lesson over - but it does leave one with the assumption that anything Icelandic is going to sound like a detuned radio being dragged around a rose garden on the back of a tricycle.
  
  Dikta don’t. Dikta sound like good old rock and roll. And they don’t sound a bit Icelandic. Cuh-razy. Dikta’s phat rock sound is thanks in no small part to the Vedderesque presence of lead singer Hauker Heidar Hauksson, who carries songs like personal highlight “My Other Big Brother” at a world class level.
  
  The gentle ballads sound a long way from contrived or “cock-rock” influenced - and the fact that the band lend themselves so effortlessly to more gentle strains is a credit to them. “This Song Will Save The World” with its spiky piano backing wouldn’t sound out of place on a Queen album.
  
  Also worthy of note is the crunchy, loud and melodic Chloe and the slinky sexy Wm3.
  
  Absolutely kicking old school Rawk and Roll with a brain.
  
  By Chris Merriman
  
  This release was published on 29 Jan 2007.

• Hear/Say: "It creates some great piano rock that everyone will love" [+ Show ]
  

  Who: Dikta What: An awesome band straight from Iceland. It creates some great piano rock that eve...Who: Dikta
  
  What: An awesome band straight from Iceland. It creates some great piano rock that everyone will love.
  
  On the Web: www.myspace.com/dikta
  
  Sounds Like: A bit like Augustana
  
  Stand Out Single: “Losing Every Day”
  
  Grade: B+

• Hunting For Happiess Review [+ Show ]
  

  In recent years, lyrics have taken a backseat in musical ventures. Most listeners are more than over...In recent years, lyrics have taken a backseat in musical ventures. Most listeners are more than overjoyed if a band lays down a clever pun, witty lyric, or a deep thought now and again. At long last, a band is reawakening an ages-old beast. Iceland's Dikta is finally bringing story-telling back to music. While a few bands of late seem to be grasping desperately onto the idea of a concept album, Dikta has their arms wrapped tightly around the one-song, one-story concept. Each track on Hunting for Happiness tells a completely different story, yet always finishes what it starts. The fact that the music is pretty fantastic, though not visionary, only makes the record that much more enjoyable.
  
  Some of the passages might be a little more musically-intellectual than others, but this is by no means an inaccessible record. "Chloe" is probably one of the most easily-enjoyed tracks on the record, as it contains plenty of crunch, bounce, and vocal aggression that should satiate any listener. Herein lies the true beauty of Dikta: They are artistic without being snobby, intellectual without being elitist, inventive without being weird. "This Song Will Save the World," in title, may seem overly pretentious and self-absorbed, but, when backed by lilting keys, down-played horns, and a supreme vocal swagger and warm guitar tones, it comes off as nothing but a great ballad, with no sense of grand self-importance.
  
  Dikta is musical magic. They never stammer, never take a poor step, and manage to combine so many of the small things which make music interesting. Slap all that together and you get one of the most intriguing albums of the year, a forerunner in the race for top honors, even if there are more astonishing musicians in the world. If you've been in a musical drought, find a new Dikta ride and pick up Hunting for Happiness.
  
  --Ben Rice

• Dikta's Salvo review [+ Show ]
  

  Upon reading the background information on Icelandic four-piece Dikta you would not expect to be ast...Upon reading the background information on Icelandic four-piece Dikta you would not expect to be astounded by such an album. Opening the album with “Losing Every Day” was a strategic move that has paid off dividends. The sultry tones of the lead singer Haukur’s vocal are striking and could capture the attention the female population of the planet, whilst being memorable of original. This pomp rock album is a dramatic fusion of soulful wedges sliced delicately with a smidgen of indie rock.
  With the intricate piano on the ballad “This Song Will Save the World” combined with the calming effect it could have on all those that listen this songs may truly go someway to achieve world harmony.
  Produced by Ace (Ex Skunk Anansie guitarist) this album’s polished finish and timeless appeal has conjured up an album that is a potential classic. For those searching for a suitable soundtrack to their afternoon coffee, “Happiness” is here – stop hunting!
  KO
  

• Dikta - live review Airwaves 2009 [+ Show ]
  

  Something happened between them and the crowd that night which made it a pleasure to witness. One do...Something happened between them and the crowd that night which made it a pleasure to witness. One doesn’t realize how many hits Dikta has under their belts until they play a short set like this one. I’m glad I was there.

• Dikta 5/5 star review [+ Show ]
  

  "Here is a band at its prime bursting onto the scene with a mature body of work that proves itself ..."Here is a band at its prime bursting onto the scene with a mature
  body of work that proves itself on equal footing with all the best
  music being made in the world today." ***** H.Ó. mbl. 14.des ‘05

• Spin Magazine July 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  Dikta mentioned in the Spin Coldplay cover article: For many of today's hitmakers.... Coldplay made...Dikta mentioned in the Spin Coldplay cover article:
  For many of today's hitmakers.... Coldplay made it okay to not play tough rock. They reopend the door for melody and emotion.
  And the band spilled through: the Frey, Augustana, Lifehouse and OneRepublic in the U.S.; Starsailor. Keane, Athlete in the UK.; Pilot Speed in Canada; Kettcar in Germany; Dikta in Iceland.

• Live performance review '08 [+ Show ]
  

  Power-pop brigade daring to have a political agenda and knowing exactly how to not overdo it. Big so...Power-pop brigade daring to have a political agenda and knowing exactly how to not overdo it. Big songs delivered with superb confidence and lead singer Haukur Heiðar Hauksson shining bright
  
  Read more: http://allscandinavian.com/343/airwaves08-5-top-5-gigs-of-2008/#ixzz0c77riHRP

Setlist

Thank You
What are you waiting for?
Breaking The Waves
Someone, Somewhere
Losing Every Day
Home
Let Go
From Now On
Warnings
Just Getting Started
Hotel Feelings
Start to Finish

Basic Requirements

PDF Rider

Dikta rider - live performance info

Calendar