Niels Uni Dam - MonkeyRat
In 2014, Anna Iachino and Arnold Ludvig received an artist residency in New York, USA where they performed at several Open mics in the heart of Manhattan. To Anna's delight, the Open mics in New York didn't only feature music, but all forms of the performing arts, which included poetry, storytelling, comedy, improv... New York City is widely regarded as one of the fastest-paced cities in the world, a stark contrast to the laid-back, slow-paced, and relaxed nature of the Faroe Islands. Upon their return to the Faroes, Anna was inspired to have the same inclusive concept take place in the capital city. Bogi Andreasen, the leader of the cultural house embraced the idea and on April 8th, 2015, Anna Iachino and Arnold Ludvig started hosting their weekly event, Open mic/Open stage at Reinsaríið in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.
One of Anna's many tasks was to submit the text and photo of the special guests she booked to Niels Uni Dam, one of Open mic's staunchest supporters; he attended every week. Every time Anna noticed an error or missing info, she would write to Niels Uni Dam, and bam - he corrected and added the missing info - right away! "Damn, he's so quick to fix", Anna thought to herself. Second time, third time...same thing - bam - in a flash, Niels Uni Dam did it again - beinanvegin, as we say in Faroese! "Damn, he's so quick to fix", Anna said out loud to herself. "What?", asked Ludvig? "Damn, he's so...oh my God, his last name is Dam, I have to write a song about him", exclaimed Anna.
Credits
Kii Aagre - cosplay artist creator of costumes, wigs, and make-up for the following Niels Uni Dam characters:
businessman with bowler hat and cane
football fan of the Faroe Islands
rapper of MC-Har
Marjun Wolles - make artist for Anna Iachino
Sofia Laura Acierno - dancer
Maiken Aagre - dancer
Frida Poulsen - dancer
Hayley Smith - dancer
Anna Iachino - director, scriptwriter and co-editor
Arnold Ludvig - videographer and editor
special thanx to:
Bogi Andreasen - stage, table, chair, mic, mic stand, and drum stool at Reinsaríið Cultural House
Niels Uni Dam - bowler hat, official Faroese football jerseys and scarves
Johan Johannessen - official Faroese football jerseys and scarves
Johan Hentze - official Faroese football jerseys and scarves
Hayley Smith - stage consultant for Kii Aagre
Arnold Ludvig - computer
Arnold Ludvig - composer
Anna Iachino - author
Musicians
Anna Iachino - vocals
Arnold Ludvig - bass
Alain Apaloo - guitar
Jens Stoklund - drums
Johan Hentze - trumpet
Trondur Herason Olsen - trumpet
Matthias Kjølbro - tenor saxophone
Milja Matras Niclasen - trombone
Production
Arnold Ludvig - recorded horns in 2016 + recorded, mixed & mastered intro in 2024
Louise Nipper - recorded & mixed vocals, guitar, bass, and drums in 2016
Óli Poulsen - mastered vocals, guitar, bass, and drums in 2016
Grant support
Mentanargrunnur Landsins
Skálavík Kommuna
Sands Kommuna
Gramex-FO
Koda-FO
Released by Tutl Records