There’s definitely something in the skyr. Last year, Iceland gifted Eurovision fans with te Hatari and their BDSM inspired doomsday banger “Hatrið mun sigra” (Hatred Will Prevail). Now, it looks like our noisy Nordic neighbours are at it again.
Currently sailing through Söngvakeppnin (Reykjavik’s answer to Song for Europe) is the synth-pop stomper “Think About Things” by Daði Freyr and his band Gagnamagnið (The Data).
The normcore short film for “Think About Things” showcases the most compelling choreography you’ll see this side of a Superbowl halftime performance, and has swiftly become a viral hit.
The band have also caught the attention of native Eurovision TV hosts across the continent, including the UK’s very own Rylan Clark-Neal, who has tipped the track to do well at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Rotterdam.
Perhaps more surprising is an endorsement from Oscar-winner Russell Crowe, giving the video a thumbs up and outing himself as a Eurovision stan by linking to a particularly niche Dutch ESC fansite.
What does Daði think about the attention from Hollywood royalty?
“I am 208cm tall, so I’m used to being noticed” he tells The Independent. “I’m getting a similar feeling to when I first competed in Söngvakeppnin three years ago. Nobody in Iceland knew who I was and overnight that all changed.
“This is online so it feels a little more distant so I’m not sure what it all means. Russell Crowe tweeted the song… he’s the Gladiator!”
The Data is a fictional band made especially for the contest comprised of Daði’s wife (on keys), two friends on bass and drums, and his sister on backing vocals alongside another friend. The family theme runs throughout the song.
“The song is about my daughter – she’s ten months old now so I’m starting to understand her a little better but in the beginning it’s weird because you love a person so much and have no idea what they think about you.
1/38
Malta’s Michela performs the song “Chameleon” during the Grand Final of the 64th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 on 18 May in Tel Aviv.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
2/38
Jonida Maliqi defends Albania’s position with the song “Ktheju tokës”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
3/38
The Czech Republic’s Lake Malawi performs the song “Friend of a Friend”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
4/38
The duo S!sters represent Germany with the tune “Sister”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
5/38
Russia’s Sergey Lazarev sings the song “Scream” during the final.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
6/38
Leonora represents Denmark with the ballad “Love is Forever”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
7/38
San Marino’s Serhat electrifies the crowd with the song “Say Na Na Na”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
8/38
Tamara Todevska represents North Macedonia with the song “Proud”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
9/38
Sweden’s John Lundvik performs the song “Too Late for Love”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
10/38
Slovenia’s Zala Kralj and Gasper Santl sing the tune “Sebi” together during the Grand Final.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
11/38
Cyprus’ Tamta performs the song “Replay”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
12/38
Duncan Laurence, representing Netherlands , performs the song “Arcade”.
Michael Campanella/Getty Images
13/38
Katerine Duska sings “Better Love” for Greece.
Michael Campanella/Getty Images
14/38
Israel’s Kobi Marimi performs the song “Home” during the final.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
15/38
Norwegian supergoup KEiiNO represent their country with “Spirit in the Sky”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
16/38
Norwegian supergoup KEiiNO represent their country with “Spirit in the Sky”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
17/38
The UK’s Michael Rice delivers an acclaimed performance of “Bigger than Us”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
18/38
Iceland’s Hatari perform the song “Hatrid mun sigra” during the final.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
19/38
Estonia’s Victor Crone performs “Storm” during the Grand Final of the 64th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
20/38
ZENA represents Belarus with the song “Like It”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
21/38
Azerbaijan’s Chingiz performs the song “Truth”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
22/38
Bilal Hassani represents France with the pop tune “Roi” during the Grand Final.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
23/38
Mahmood sings the song “Soldi” for Italy.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
24/38
Serbia’s Nevena Bozovic performs the song “Kruna”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
25/38
Luca Hanni performs the song “She Got Me” for Switzerland.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
26/38
Australia’s Kate Miller-Heidke performs the song “Zero Gravity” with a spectacular stage display.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
27/38
Spain’s Miki wraps up the Grand Final with the tune “La Venda”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
28/38
Hosts Assi Azar, Lucy Ayoub, Bar Refaeli and Erez Tall walk on stage for the final.
Michael Campanella/Getty Images
29/38
Designer Jean-Paul Gaultier and supermodel Bar Refaeli chat during the final.
Guy Prives/Getty Images
30/38
Serhat, representing San Marino, and Israel’s TV host Assi Azar are pictured together during the evening.
Guy Prives/Getty Images
31/38
Demonstrators protest the Eurovision on the sidelines of the song contest in Tel Aviv.
Bel Trew
32/38
Demonstrators protest the Eurovision on the sidelines of the song contest in Tel Aviv.
Bel Trew
33/38
A UK supporter poses in the Eurovision village in Tel Aviv.
Bel Trew
34/38
This installation is located in the Eurovision village.
Bel Trew
35/38
Crowds gather in the Eurovision village on the sidelines of the contest.
Bel Trew
36/38
Supporters of the Netherlands pose in the Eurovision village.
Bel Trew
37/38
Duncan Laurence, representing The Netherlands, wins the Grand Final of the Eurovision.
Michael Campanella/Getty Images
38/38
Duncan Laurence performs “Arcade” after winning the song contest.
Michael Campanella/Getty Images
1/38
Malta’s Michela performs the song “Chameleon” during the Grand Final of the 64th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 on 18 May in Tel Aviv.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
2/38
Jonida Maliqi defends Albania’s position with the song “Ktheju tokës”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
3/38
The Czech Republic’s Lake Malawi performs the song “Friend of a Friend”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
4/38
The duo S!sters represent Germany with the tune “Sister”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
5/38
Russia’s Sergey Lazarev sings the song “Scream” during the final.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
6/38
Leonora represents Denmark with the ballad “Love is Forever”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
7/38
San Marino’s Serhat electrifies the crowd with the song “Say Na Na Na”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
8/38
Tamara Todevska represents North Macedonia with the song “Proud”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
9/38
Sweden’s John Lundvik performs the song “Too Late for Love”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
10/38
Slovenia’s Zala Kralj and Gasper Santl sing the tune “Sebi” together during the Grand Final.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
11/38
Cyprus’ Tamta performs the song “Replay”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
12/38
Duncan Laurence, representing Netherlands , performs the song “Arcade”.
Michael Campanella/Getty Images
13/38
Katerine Duska sings “Better Love” for Greece.
Michael Campanella/Getty Images
14/38
Israel’s Kobi Marimi performs the song “Home” during the final.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
15/38
Norwegian supergoup KEiiNO represent their country with “Spirit in the Sky”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
16/38
Norwegian supergoup KEiiNO represent their country with “Spirit in the Sky”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
17/38
The UK’s Michael Rice delivers an acclaimed performance of “Bigger than Us”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
18/38
Iceland’s Hatari perform the song “Hatrid mun sigra” during the final.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
19/38
Estonia’s Victor Crone performs “Storm” during the Grand Final of the 64th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
20/38
ZENA represents Belarus with the song “Like It”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
21/38
Azerbaijan’s Chingiz performs the song “Truth”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
22/38
Bilal Hassani represents France with the pop tune “Roi” during the Grand Final.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
23/38
Mahmood sings the song “Soldi” for Italy.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
24/38
Serbia’s Nevena Bozovic performs the song “Kruna”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
25/38
Luca Hanni performs the song “She Got Me” for Switzerland.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
26/38
Australia’s Kate Miller-Heidke performs the song “Zero Gravity” with a spectacular stage display.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
27/38
Spain’s Miki wraps up the Grand Final with the tune “La Venda”.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
28/38
Hosts Assi Azar, Lucy Ayoub, Bar Refaeli and Erez Tall walk on stage for the final.
Michael Campanella/Getty Images
29/38
Designer Jean-Paul Gaultier and supermodel Bar Refaeli chat during the final.
Guy Prives/Getty Images
30/38
Serhat, representing San Marino, and Israel’s TV host Assi Azar are pictured together during the evening.
Guy Prives/Getty Images
31/38
Demonstrators protest the Eurovision on the sidelines of the song contest in Tel Aviv.
Bel Trew
32/38
Demonstrators protest the Eurovision on the sidelines of the song contest in Tel Aviv.
Bel Trew
33/38
A UK supporter poses in the Eurovision village in Tel Aviv.
Bel Trew
34/38
This installation is located in the Eurovision village.
Bel Trew
35/38
Crowds gather in the Eurovision village on the sidelines of the contest.
Bel Trew
36/38
Supporters of the Netherlands pose in the Eurovision village.
Bel Trew
37/38
Duncan Laurence, representing The Netherlands, wins the Grand Final of the Eurovision.
Michael Campanella/Getty Images
38/38
Duncan Laurence performs “Arcade” after winning the song contest.
Michael Campanella/Getty Images
“Also I’m just excited to know what she ‘thinks about things’ in general,” he adds. “She will probably have strong opinions about stuff that will challenge the way I have thought about life.”
The Söngvakeppnin final takes place on Saturday 29 February from 7.45pm and is free to stream for UK viewers here.