They are the leather-clad BDSM-techno band from Iceland. There is a lot of hype around Hatari in the lead up to Eurovision 2019, both on and off the stage. Our William had the chance to catch up with band members Matthías and Klemens in Amsterdam. Yesterday, Hatari performed at Eurovision in Concert and they certainly had a lot to say.
Hatari interview — Eurovision in Concert 2019
Hatari revealed that it can be difficult for them to get through airport customs, especially when travelling with their drummer. The drummer is usually checked in with the luggage. “It’s all about consent,” reveals Klemens.
When asked about their outfits, Klemens revealed that “we go to confirmations in Hello Kitty suits”. Klemens also explained that his confidence comes about through a lot of emotional work and self-discovery. Matthías finds it difficult to express himself and Klemens helps him get his emotions across through music.
Hatari like to play on the contrast between the two very different vocalists. Matthías may be described as the hatred in the song while Klemens is the love — they enjoy experimenting with this angel/devil dichotomy. Things aren’t so straightforward in real life — Klemens believes Matthías is actually the more optimistic of the two.
“Hatrið mun sigra” — Hatari
Matthías discusses the message of “Hatrið mun sigra”, saying that the song is a “dystopian vision of what might happen if [hatred] prevails”. They believe that “hatred is on the rise” and action must be taken to quell that. Their vision of the future is bleak. Matthías says, “It is easier to imagine the end of the world than it is to imagine the end of capitalism.” Naturally, they hosted a doomsday celebration in Reykjavik and believe that “without fear, you can build a new world”.
With such an anti-capitalist message, obviously Hatari are all about their sponsors. “We love to talk about our sponsors, both when we are paid to do so and in our free time,” Matthías tells us. “We would like to thank them now, for example — we recommend trying some Soda Dream when you have a chance.”
Hatari will perform 13th in the first semi-final in Tel Aviv. They follow Australia’s Kate Miller-Heidke and precede Estonia’s Victor Crone.
What do you think of Hatari and their message? Did you enjoy seeing their personalities shine in our interview? Let us know in the comments below.
This interview was so fun to watch. I couldn’t stop from laughing over their deadpan faces, answers, and the very weird chemistry they had. I wish them the best.
William was so ready for a “from the nipple to the bottom” play – after Luca let him only sing together with him.
wow, the blonde one Klemens, is father of 2 children.
I wonder if that girl that Klemens hold in his arms in the “cake at the kindergarten” video, is his daughter.
And I’ve heard that Matthias and Klemens are cousins.
Yes that is his daughter 🙂
not yet, 1 child and one on the way.
As a person that lived both in communism and capitalism, I believe now, that they give many interviews, they need to clarify their political speech.
William : How do you imagine the end of capitalism, what will be after that, communism?
____They avoided the word communism, because they don’t know what to say or they want to hide that are communists (I don’t know).
Their answer : Is easier to imagine the end of the world, than to imagine the end of capitalism.
____ Sure guys, tell that to Eastern Europe. or North Korea.
Capitalism has gone too far, it has invaded every pore of life, it’s everywhere, it’s inescapable, omnipresent, has no regard for the value of (human)life, It’s turning people against eachother, and it’s destroying the planet. You do not need to be a communist to be against this, a more balanced way would be nice.
Yes, you are right, they need to say that they hate equally both capitalism and communism, I just had the impression they avoid the word communism, and giving so many interviews they will have to face this issue too. Capitalism has gone too far, especially about HEALTH. I can’t believe that health became a business, as if somebody wants to be sick just to spend government’s money for treatment. Who wants illness in the first place? Since the beginning of time, all cultures and religions were looking for methods to help the less fortunate. Healers that lived in woods, only… Read more »
Capitalism isn’t a political view, it’s an economic view, China is socialist (that’s what my Chinese friends say they think they are) but they have capitalism too. In Europe you have socialist countries and democratic and monarchies and all of them have capitalism as well, so the issue is not political, it’s how can you manage the economic power of the corporations through politics.
Kudos my friend. Only those who lived under communism can really understand how communism suck.
As for the band members – they’re idiots.
They should try Venezuela’s socialism, or North Korea communism.
It was William that brought it up, not they. Also, who says the only alternative to capitalism is communism? There are other political philosophies on this planet and some yet undiscovered. They avoided it because that’s not their intention. Both systems are dated and extremist ideologies for the realities of 21st century Earth. Their point is about the rising ills of capitalism–extreme income disparity, financial enslavement, massive corporate power and environmental destruction, etc, etc.
William, thank you for asking my question about airport security. These 2 guys are wicked smart and you gave them some excellent opportunities for them to express their message. Soda Dream is obviously a reference to the Israeli company Soda Stream that got boycotted. I particularly liked their response to the question about winning ESC. That this will ruin Iceland capitalist economy and is part of their overall plan :-).
yes, the part about Icelandic capitalism was very on point (citing Deban, lol)
So bored of the Hatari obsession already -.- their live performances have been awful and people really think they can win? please.
also, they are average-looking at best.
I’d watch 1 hour of this interview, the questions are the best ^^
Wow, this is so subversive on so many levels…and I love it!!! They are clearly very intelligent chaps!
They got instantly popular among Russian Eurovision fans. I think Russian televoters will give them 8-12 points 🙂 love them
Russians on instagram are amongst their biggest fans, as are guys with green mohawks, children of all ages, swedes, leftist israelis, middle aged men with fetishes and people that like irony. 😉 😀
I still think they will win. Winner vibes all over. This is so deep, so timely, so original, so clever.
Which political winners exactly…? Jamala? The act that didn’t win the televote or juryvote? There are no political winners, people don’t vote politically unless they choose NOT to vote for a country do to their terrible politics. Yes, people choose to not vote for countries they dislile but you can’t change that. Every winner for at least the last 10 years has been deserved. Stop whining and wake up.
“Every winner for at least the last 10 years has been deserved.”
*cough* Running Scared *cough*
True, 1944 is too good for Eurovision.
I’ll have to perform a walk of shame dancing to Spirit in the Sky (this song is sooo good, I’ve never heard anything like it!!!!!!) and then to Telemóveis (oh em gee he is wearing a weird face piece this must be the pinnacle of art!!!!! y’all just don’t understand, HATERS!) to become a true member of the Eurovision community.
Hatari boys in my Top 3 with Duncan and Alessandro, Iceland is slaying this year!
thanks for nice interview guys, you doing an amazing work:)
The other two can Slay as long as Hatari will sigra! 😉 (Good top three)
Way too serious. Too much nipples, too little capitalism.
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I like listening to them talk. What seems like a very broad act on the surface is actually surprisingly thoughtful and has a positive (or at the very least pleading) message underneath the screaming and BDSM.
I can’t see it winning, in the same way that I couldn’t see AWS winning in that hot minute when people thought they could pull it off, but it’s definitely qualifying.
‘The drummer is usually checked in with the luggage’
This is the best thing I’ve read all week, I screamed.
I think this whole article is the best thing I’ve ever had the pleasure of writing too!
i think hatari has given me the sexual reawakening i’ve been needing
Only love for them <3 my fave