Iceland's financial institutions may well be melting as the Credit Quake tightens its grip on the global economy, but money woes aside the stunning country will be grabbing the headlines in a more positive light on October 15 when the tenth anniversary edition of Iceland Airwaves kicks off. Held in down town Reykjavik, once again Iceland Airwaves boasts a stellar line-up with the likes of Biffy Clyro, Crystal Castles, Vampire Weekend, White Lies, Fuck Buttons and Simian Mobile Disco all rubbing shoulders with countless local bands.

Ahead of the music extravaganza, Gigwise caught up with Steve Terebecki from Texan scuzz-rockers White Denim and Reykjavik's own country-blues balladeer Lay Low – aka Lovísa Elísabet Sigrúnardóttir - to get their thoughts  ahead of performing at the festival...

Gigwise: First up, are you looking forward to Iceland Airwaves and what can we expect from your performance?
White Denim: “Iceland has always been at the top of my list of places to visit. Unfortunately, we can not fit all of our costumes, pets and fireworks on the plane so I invite you all to bring your own along to help out with our stripped down straight forward rock n roll set.”
Lay Low: “Yes, it will be good fun. It's my third time playing Lay Low program at Airwaves and now my second album is coming out the same day. I'll be playing some new songs and hoping to have a good time.”

Gigwise: Iceland is known to be a pretty damn cold around this time of year – what tips would you have for Gigwise readers venturing to Reykjavik (other than the obvious, to wrap up warm)?
White Denim: “Good question…we’re from Texas, we can’t handle weather under 70…so I have no idea.  I think you’re supposed to wear long sleeves?”

Gigwise: What bands are you looking forward to seeing at Iceland Airwaves and why?
White Denim: “Every band that is not from the US because we don’t get to see them very often!”
Lay Low: “I still haven't had the time to see what's going on and plan what to see, but I'm sure it will be something good!”

Gigwise's favourite person to come from Iceland is undoubtedly the four times world's strongest man Magnús Ver Magnússon – who is your Icelandic hero?
White Denim: “He is a pretty good one but I’ll have to go with Jón Páll Sigmarsson, the first 4 time World’s Strongest man champ from Iceland.”
Lay Low: “I try not to heroize too much, but I like a lot of Icelandic people.”

Gigwise: Iceland Airwaves is pretty much the last festival of the year. What has been your highlight of the festival season?
White Denim: “Glastonbury for sure because I love mud, camping, and trash so much.”
Lay Low: “I haven't been playing much recently, most of this summer I spent in London recording my newest album. So this will be my first and probably only festival in the year 2008.”

Gigwise: Iceland is of course known for its breathtaking scenery. Where is the most stunning place in the world you have ever performed?
White Denim: “Well the inside of clubs usually aren’t too breathtaking.  I’d say San Francisco and Paris are pretty beautiful.  We’ve played on a boat on Lake Travis in Austin a couple of times. Red Rocks outside of Denver was really pretty.  We don’t have a very long stunning venue resume.”
Lay Low: “Seyðisfjörður and Borgarfjörður Eystri here in Iceland.”

Gigwise: Iceland Airwaves is celebrating its tenth birthday this year. Where do you see yourselves in 10 years time?
White Denim: “We’ll have 4 houseboats. There will be one for each of us and our ladies and one for our studio and we’ll float around and make records.”
Lay Low: “I hope somewhere nice.”

White Denim’s new single ‘Shake Shake Shake’ is out now through Full Time Hobby. They will be performing at NASA at midnight on Friday October 17.