five questions with edda pétursdóttir

Summer Solstice, AKA the longest day of the year, is fast approaching (it's June 21 so mark your calendars). To most Americans, this doesn’t mean much, but to the sizable community of Icelandic-New Yorker expats this means a day crammed full of Icelandic things, like vodka, for example. This also includes a nightlong celebration to kick the holiday off just right. As if that wasn’t enough, this year’s celebration is going to be sponsored by Reyka Vodka (the superb Icelandic beverage) and DJ-ed by their new face, Edda Pétursdóttir (who’s even more superb). The Brooklyn-based Icelandic model has been everywhere this year, including the runways of Diane Von Furstenberg and Zac Posen, to name a few. We caught up with her–over a glass of Iceland’s fines--AND having not celebrated this holiday for a while, Edda tells us about her involvement with his event and how excited she is to kick off the summer. We’re definitely going to be getting into the holiday spirit a little earlier this year.

What was your favorite cartoon/TV show as a kid?Growing up in Iceland I really loved watching cartoons. My all time fav has to be the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I was really obsessed with my favorite character, Leonardo. I wore a blue ribbon in my hair for weeks.

What was your favorite cereal?Coco Puffs! But really, I was much more of a dessert girl. In the summer, I find myself craving Icelandic hotdogs aka Bæjarins beztu pylsur.

What was the first record you bought?It was Nirvana Nevermind.

What was the first live show/concert you went to?First show was a Bjork concert in Iceland. This time of year, I always get a little bit homesick for Iceland around the Summer Solstice. It's a big celebration, where we all get together to party by the bonfires and drink lots of vodka, specifically, the first vodka of Iceland, Reyka, one of my favorites. This year, I'm co-hosting and DJing a big party in Brooklyn with Reyka, where I'm planning to play some Bjork and Nirvana, too!

What posters were hanging on your bedroom wall in High School? Massive Attack and Portishead posters among others.

-Rashed Aqrabawi