Music of Iceland
Encyclopedia
The music of Iceland includes vibrant folk
and pop
traditions. Well-known artists from Iceland include medieval music group Voces Thules
, alternative rock band The Sugarcubes
, singers Björk
and Emiliana Torrini
, and post-rock band Sigur Rós
. Iceland's traditional music is related to Nordic music
forms. The only folk band whose recordings are marketed abroad is Islandica.
, sailor
s, masculinity
, hard winters, and elves, troll
s and other hidden peoples. They tend to be quite secular and often humour
ous. Bjarni Þorsteinsson collected Icelandic folk music between 1906 and 1909. Many of the songs he encountered were accompanied by traditional instruments like the langspil
and fiðla
. Chain dances, known as víkivaki, have been performed in Iceland since the 11th century at a variety of occasions, such as in churches and during the Christmas
season. An example is "Ólafur Liljurós", an Icelandic víkivaki folk song dating to the 14th century, about a man on his way to meet his mother who is seduced, kissed and stabbed by an elf woman whilst riding his horse, then eventually dies.
Iceland's isolation meant that, until the 19th century, foreign influences were virtually absent, which resulted in the maintenance of a particular rhythm
, called "hákveða", lost in other Nordic countries and considered one of the main characteristics of Icelandic folk music. Hákveða refers to a special emphasis placed on some of the words of a song, often the last word of each sentence in each verse. In the following example, taken from the song "Ólafur Liljurós", "hákveða" is shown in italic
s:
Rímur are epic tales sung as alliterative, rhyming ballads, usually a cappella
. Rímur can be traced back to the Viking Age
Eddic
poetry of the Skald
s and employs complex metaphors and cryptic rhymes and forms. Some of the most famous rímur were written between the 18th and early 20th centuries, by poets like Hannes Bjarnason (1776–1838), Jón Sigurðsson
(1853–1922) and Sigurður Breiðfjörð
(1798–1846).
In the early 18th century, European dances like polka
, waltz
, reel
and schottische
begin to arrive via Denmark
. These foreign dances are today known as gömlu dansarnir or literally the "old dances". After their arrival, native dance and song traditions fell into serious decline. For along time, rímur were officially banned by the Christian church, though they remained popular until the early 20th century. In recent years, efforts have been made to revive native Icelandic forms. For example, a modern revitalization of the rímur tradition began in 1929 with the formation of the organization Iðunn.
Protestantism has also left its mark on the music of Iceland. Hallgrímur Pétursson
wrote numerous Protestant hymn
s in the 17th century. In the 19th century, when Magnús Stephensen brought pipe organ
s to Iceland, soon to be followed by harmonium
s. "Heyr himna smiður" (Hark, Creator of the heaven) is probably the oldest psalm which is still sung today. It was written by Kolbeinn Tumason
in 1208.
(Rockstar: Supernova
Magni's band
), Quarashi
, Bang Gang
, Amiina
, to solo ballad singers like Bubbi Morthens
, Megas
, Björgvin Halldórsson
and Páll Rósinkranz, all the way to reggae
band Hjálmar
and Bulgarian indie-folk band Stórsveit Nix Noltes
. There is also a metal and hardcore scene, including notable bands Sólstafir
and Changer
, and a casio-punk-pop scene spearheaded by Pool Party
.
The indie scene is also very strong in Iceland
, and bands such as múm
, Sigur Rós
, the quirky folk/pop singer Hafdís Huld
and the solo artist Mugison
are fairly well known outside Iceland. Easily the most famous Icelandic artist is eclectic singer and composer Björk
, who has received 13 Grammy nominations and sold over 15 million albums worldwide, including two platinum albums and one gold album in the United States
.
In recent years, Iceland has seen development and change in both the commercial and underground music scenes. Prominent experimental indie bands, such as the high school originated Hjaltalín
and Benny Crespo's Gang
are enjoying a wider audience. Notable music veterans are expanding into sub genres; for example, GusGus
frontman Daníel Ágúst is currently collaborating with punk rock star Krummi from Mínus
, forming the raw duo Esja
. The electronic scene in Icelandic music has also widened its audience. Grittier electronic bands are redefining old styles with dynamic music such as the widely acclaimed band Steed Lord
, who proclaim themselves as producers of "Gangsta electronic music".
of Iceland is "Lofsöngur
", written by Matthías Jochumsson
, with music by Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson
. The song, in the form of a hymn, was written in 1874, when Iceland celebrated the one thousandth anniversary of settlement on the island. It was first published under the title A Hymn in Commemoration of Iceland's Thousand Years.
's eclectic scene under one roof." The main purpose of the office is to promote Icelandic music worldwide. Iceland Music Export's Web site features a comprehensive list of Icelandic musicians and groups of all genres, Icelandic music videos, downloadable mp3s, interviews and profiles.
Iceland Airwaves
is a major annual event in the Icelandic music scene, where both Icelandic and foreign bands perform in every club in Reykjavík
for a week.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
traditions. Well-known artists from Iceland include medieval music group Voces Thules
Voces Thules
Voces Thules is an Icelandic music ensemble formed in 1992.The ensemble consists of five male singers who have studied in Reykjavik, London and Vienna, specializing in Icelandic medieval and contemporary music...
, alternative rock band The Sugarcubes
The Sugarcubes
The Sugarcubes were an Icelandic alternative rock band formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992. They received critical and popular acclaim internationally.-History:...
, singers Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
and Emiliana Torrini
Emilíana Torrini
Emilíana Torrini Davíðsdóttir is an Icelandic singer, best known for her 2009 single Jungle Drum, 1999 album Love in the Time of Science and for performing "Gollum's Song" for Peter Jackson's film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.-Early life:Torrini grew up in Kópavogur, where, at the age of...
, and post-rock band Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós is an Icelandic post-rock band with classicaland minimalist elements. The band is known for its ethereal sound, and frontman Jónsi Birgisson's falsetto vocals and use of bowed guitar. In January 2010, the band announced that they will be on hiatus. Since then, it has since been announced...
. Iceland's traditional music is related to Nordic music
Nordic music
Nordic folk music includes a number of traditions in Northern European, especially Scandinavian, countries. The Nordic countries are generally taken to include Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark. The Nordic Council, an international organization, also includes the autonomous territories...
forms. The only folk band whose recordings are marketed abroad is Islandica.
Folk music
Icelandic music has a very long tradition, with some songs still sung today dating from 14th century. Folk songs are often about loveLove
Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. Love is central to many religions, as in the Christian phrase, "God is love" or Agape in the Canonical gospels...
, sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
s, masculinity
Masculinity
Masculinity is possessing qualities or characteristics considered typical of or appropriate to a man. The term can be used to describe any human, animal or object that has the quality of being masculine...
, hard winters, and elves, troll
Troll
A troll is a supernatural being in Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore. In origin, the term troll was a generally negative synonym for a jötunn , a being in Norse mythology...
s and other hidden peoples. They tend to be quite secular and often humour
Humour
Humour or humor is the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement...
ous. Bjarni Þorsteinsson collected Icelandic folk music between 1906 and 1909. Many of the songs he encountered were accompanied by traditional instruments like the langspil
Langspil
The Langspil is a traditional Icelandic drone zither. Since old folk music has been gaining more popularity in recent years, more and more people are able to play this instrument...
and fiðla
Fiðla
The fiðla is a traditional Icelandic musical instrument, consisting of a box zither with two bowed strings. The strings pass over a bridge near the playing end of the instrument, and are tuned at the other end by two tuning pegs.-Similar instruments:...
. Chain dances, known as víkivaki, have been performed in Iceland since the 11th century at a variety of occasions, such as in churches and during the Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
season. An example is "Ólafur Liljurós", an Icelandic víkivaki folk song dating to the 14th century, about a man on his way to meet his mother who is seduced, kissed and stabbed by an elf woman whilst riding his horse, then eventually dies.
Iceland's isolation meant that, until the 19th century, foreign influences were virtually absent, which resulted in the maintenance of a particular rhythm
Rhythm
Rhythm may be generally defined as a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions." This general meaning of regular recurrence or pattern in time may be applied to a wide variety of cyclical natural phenomena having a periodicity or...
, called "hákveða", lost in other Nordic countries and considered one of the main characteristics of Icelandic folk music. Hákveða refers to a special emphasis placed on some of the words of a song, often the last word of each sentence in each verse. In the following example, taken from the song "Ólafur Liljurós", "hákveða" is shown in italic
Italic type
In typography, italic type is a cursive typeface based on a stylized form of calligraphic handwriting. Owing to the influence from calligraphy, such typefaces often slant slightly to the right. Different glyph shapes from roman type are also usually used—another influence from calligraphy...
s:
- Ólafur reið með björgunum fram, villir Hann, stillir "Hann,
- hitti hann fyrir sér álfarann, þar rauði loginn brann,
- Blíðan lagði byrinn undan björgunum, blíðan lagði byrinn undan björgunum fram.
Rímur are epic tales sung as alliterative, rhyming ballads, usually a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
. Rímur can be traced back to the Viking Age
Viking Age
Viking Age is the term for the period in European history, especially Northern European and Scandinavian history, spanning the late 8th to 11th centuries. Scandinavian Vikings explored Europe by its oceans and rivers through trade and warfare. The Vikings also reached Iceland, Greenland,...
Eddic
Edda
The term Edda applies to the Old Norse Poetic Edda and Prose Edda, both of which were written down in Iceland during the 13th century in Icelandic, although they contain material from earlier traditional sources, reaching into the Viking Age...
poetry of the Skald
Skald
The skald was a member of a group of poets, whose courtly poetry is associated with the courts of Scandinavian and Icelandic leaders during the Viking Age, who composed and performed renditions of aspects of what we now characterise as Old Norse poetry .The most prevalent metre of skaldic poetry is...
s and employs complex metaphors and cryptic rhymes and forms. Some of the most famous rímur were written between the 18th and early 20th centuries, by poets like Hannes Bjarnason (1776–1838), Jón Sigurðsson
Jón Sigurðsson
Jón Sigurðsson was the leader of the 19th century Icelandic independence movement.Born at Hrafnseyri, near Arnarfjörður in the Westfjords area of Iceland, he was the son of a pastor, Sigurður Jónsson. He moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1833 to study grammar and history at the university there...
(1853–1922) and Sigurður Breiðfjörð
Sigurður Breiðfjörð
Sigurður Breiðfjörð was an Icelandic poet. He learned cooperage for four years in Copenhagen and worked as a cooper in Iceland and Greenland. He was a prolific and popular traditional poet, known for his rímur cycles. Núma rímur is his best known work.-References:* Neijmann, Daisy L....
(1798–1846).
In the early 18th century, European dances like polka
Polka
The polka is a Central European dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia...
, waltz
Waltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
, reel
Reel
A reel is an object around which lengths of another material are wound for storage. Generally a reel has a cylindrical core and walls on the sides to retain the material wound around the core...
and schottische
Schottische
The schottische is a partnered country dance, that apparently originated in Bohemia. It was popular in Victorian era ballrooms as a part of the Bohemian folk-dance craze and left its traces in folk music of countries such as Argentina , Finland , France, Italy, Norway , Portugal and Brazil , Spain ...
begin to arrive via Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. These foreign dances are today known as gömlu dansarnir or literally the "old dances". After their arrival, native dance and song traditions fell into serious decline. For along time, rímur were officially banned by the Christian church, though they remained popular until the early 20th century. In recent years, efforts have been made to revive native Icelandic forms. For example, a modern revitalization of the rímur tradition began in 1929 with the formation of the organization Iðunn.
Protestantism has also left its mark on the music of Iceland. Hallgrímur Pétursson
Hallgrímur Pétursson
Hallgrímur Pétursson was one of Iceland's most famous poets and a minister at Hvalneskirkja and Saurbær in Hvalfjörður. The Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík and the Hallgrímskirkja in Saurbær are named after him. He was one of the most influential pastors during the Age of Orthodoxy...
wrote numerous Protestant hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
s in the 17th century. In the 19th century, when Magnús Stephensen brought pipe organ
Pipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
s to Iceland, soon to be followed by harmonium
Harmonium
A harmonium is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ. Sound is produced by air being blown through sets of free reeds, resulting in a sound similar to that of an accordion...
s. "Heyr himna smiður" (Hark, Creator of the heaven) is probably the oldest psalm which is still sung today. It was written by Kolbeinn Tumason
Kolbeinn Tumason
Kolbeinn Tumason was a member of the Ásbirningar family clan, and was one of the most powerful chieftains in Iceland around the turn of the 12th century. His power was probably at its height around 1200 AD. Kolbeinn used his influence to ensure that men in his favour received positions of power...
in 1208.
Popular music
Icelandic popular music today includes many bands and artists, ranging from pop-rock groups such as Á Móti SólÁ Móti Sól
Á Móti Sól is an Icelandic pop band formed in the fall of 1995 by Þórir Gunnarsson and Heimir Eyvindarson. Stefán Þórhallsson joined the band in the spring of 1997, Sævar Þór Helgason in the spring of 1998, and Magni Ásgeirsson in the fall 1999....
(Rockstar: Supernova
Rock Star: Supernova (TV Show)
Rock Star: Supernova is the second season of the reality television show Rock Star. The show, hosted by Dave Navarro and Brooke Burke, featured 15 contestants competing to become the lead vocalist for a newly formed supergroup featuring Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, former Metallica bassist Jason...
Magni's band
Magni Ásgeirsson
Guðmundur Magni Ásgeirsson , is a singer, songwriter, and musician. He is also currently the frontman for the Icelandic pop band Á Móti Sól. Outside of Iceland, he is most famous for being a contestant on the CBS reality show Rock Star: Supernova.-Biography:The third of four children, Magni was...
), Quarashi
Quarashi
Quarashi was a rap and hip-hop group from Reykjavík, Iceland. It was composed of Hössi Ólafsson , who was the lead vocalist and frontman of the group, Ómar Swarez , rapper and hype man, and Steini a.k.a. Stoney , also rapper and hype man...
, Bang Gang
Bang Gang
Bang Gang is a melodic pop band from Iceland founded by songwriter/producer Bardi Johannsson . The band was formed in 1996, in Johannsson’s hometown of Reykjavik...
, Amiina
Amiina
Amiina is an Icelandic band composed of Hildur Ársælsdóttir , Edda Rún Ólafsdóttir , Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir , and Sólrún Sumarliðadóttir . They frequently perform live and in the studio along with Sigur Rós...
, to solo ballad singers like Bubbi Morthens
Bubbi Morthens
Bubbi Morthens , is a singer and songwriter from Iceland. His name of birth is Ásbjörn Kristinsson Morthens, Bubbi being the affectionate form of Ásbjörn.- History :...
, Megas
Megas
Megas , is a rock and roll singer, songwriter and writer who is well-known in his native country of Iceland.-Interest in music:...
, Björgvin Halldórsson
Björgvin Halldórsson
Björgvin Helgi Halldórsson is an Icelandic pop singer from Hafnarfjörður...
and Páll Rósinkranz, all the way to reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
band Hjálmar
Hjálmar
- Current :*Þorsteinn Einarsson - Guitar and vocals*Sigurður Halldór Guðmundsson - Keyboards and vocals*Guðmundur Kristinn Jónsson - Guitar* Valdimar Kolbeinn Sigurjónsson - Bass* Helgi Svavar Helgason - Percussion- Former :...
and Bulgarian indie-folk band Stórsveit Nix Noltes
Stórsveit Nix Noltes
Stórsveit Nix Noltes are an Icelandic post-rock and Balkan folk band formed in 2004 and composed mostly of members of other Icelandic bands such as múm and Benni Hemm Hemm...
. There is also a metal and hardcore scene, including notable bands Sólstafir
Sólstafir
Sólstafir is an Icelandic metal band, formed in 1995. The band's name is the Icelandic word for crepuscular rays.-History:The band was formed by 3 friends, Aðalbjörn Tryggvason, Halldór Einarsson and Guðmundur Óli Pálmason in January 1995...
and Changer
Changer
Changer is an Icelandic death metal / metalcore band, formed in 1999. The band has released three albums and two EPs.-History:Changer was founded in October 1999 in Akureyri, Iceland, by drummer Kristján B. Heiðarsson, as a one-man project. Kristján wrote and recorded the band's first album,...
, and a casio-punk-pop scene spearheaded by Pool Party
Pool Party
Pool Party is a sports simulation video game for the Wii, published by SouthPeak Interactive and developed by HyperDevbox Japan. It includes 13 different styles of cue sports, including nine-ball and eight-ball pool, and snooker.-Reception:...
.
The indie scene is also very strong in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, and bands such as múm
Múm
múm are an experimental Icelandic musical group whose music is characterized by soft vocals, electronic glitch beats and effects, and a variety of traditional and unconventional instruments.- History :...
, Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós is an Icelandic post-rock band with classicaland minimalist elements. The band is known for its ethereal sound, and frontman Jónsi Birgisson's falsetto vocals and use of bowed guitar. In January 2010, the band announced that they will be on hiatus. Since then, it has since been announced...
, the quirky folk/pop singer Hafdís Huld
Hafdís Huld
Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir is an Icelandic singer and actress, formerly of GusGus.-Biography:Hafdís toured the world as a 15-year-old with Icelandic band GusGus. After leaving the band she started writing her own songs, and collaborated with FC Kahuna, co-writing their singles "Hayling" and "Machine...
and the solo artist Mugison
Mugison
Mugison is an Icelandic musician and singer who originally performed as a one-man band using a guitar and computer, but now often performs with a band. He studied in London to become a record producer....
are fairly well known outside Iceland. Easily the most famous Icelandic artist is eclectic singer and composer Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
, who has received 13 Grammy nominations and sold over 15 million albums worldwide, including two platinum albums and one gold album in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
In recent years, Iceland has seen development and change in both the commercial and underground music scenes. Prominent experimental indie bands, such as the high school originated Hjaltalín
Hjaltalín
Hjaltalín is an Icelandic band that has published two albums and enjoys a wide following in their homeland. Their second album, Terminal, was chosen as the album of the year at the 2010 Icelandic music awards...
and Benny Crespo's Gang
Benny Crespo's Gang
Benny Crespo's Gang is an alternative rock band from Iceland. They released their eponymous debut album in 2007. They are currently working on a follow-up. The group formed in 2003.- Biography :...
are enjoying a wider audience. Notable music veterans are expanding into sub genres; for example, GusGus
GusGus
GusGus are a band from Reykjavík, Iceland. They were founded in 1995. Their discography consists of eight studio albums and one live record.- History :...
frontman Daníel Ágúst is currently collaborating with punk rock star Krummi from Mínus
Mínus
Mínus is an Icelandic alternative rock/hardcore band from Reykjavík. They are signed to the record label Smekkleysa. Mínus have shared the stage with, among others, Metallica, Foo Fighters, and Queens of the Stone Age...
, forming the raw duo Esja
Esja
The mountain Esja often called Esjan is situated in the south-west of Iceland, about 10 km to the north of Iceland's capital city Reykjavík. Esja is not a single mountain, but a volcanic mountain range, made from basalt and tuff-stone....
. The electronic scene in Icelandic music has also widened its audience. Grittier electronic bands are redefining old styles with dynamic music such as the widely acclaimed band Steed Lord
Steed Lord
Steed Lord is a musical performance art project working on the frontiers of pure creativity and music making with impressive and energetic live performances, experimental filmmaking, photography, fashion design and styling, art direction, graphic design and other visual mediums...
, who proclaim themselves as producers of "Gangsta electronic music".
National anthem
The national anthemNational anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
of Iceland is "Lofsöngur
Lofsöngur
"Lofsöngur" , also known as "Ó Guð vors lands" , is the national anthem of Iceland. The lyrics are by Matthías Jochumsson and the music by Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson. The anthem contains three stanzas, but only the first one is commonly sung. The melody is by many considered difficult to sing, and...
", written by Matthías Jochumsson
Matthías Jochumsson
Matthías Jochumsson was an Icelandic poet, playwright, and translator. He is best known for his lyrical poetry and for writing the national anthem of Iceland, Lofsöngur, in 1874. He was born in Skógar into a poor family and traveled to the continent to further his education...
, with music by Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson
Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson
Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson , was an Icelandic composer best known for composing Lofsöngur, the National Anthem of Iceland....
. The song, in the form of a hymn, was written in 1874, when Iceland celebrated the one thousandth anniversary of settlement on the island. It was first published under the title A Hymn in Commemoration of Iceland's Thousand Years.
Music institutions, festivals and venues
Iceland Music Export is the name of a government sponsored initiative which "aims to bring together the disparate strands of IcelandIceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
's eclectic scene under one roof." The main purpose of the office is to promote Icelandic music worldwide. Iceland Music Export's Web site features a comprehensive list of Icelandic musicians and groups of all genres, Icelandic music videos, downloadable mp3s, interviews and profiles.
Iceland Airwaves
Iceland Airwaves
Iceland Airwaves is an annual music festival held in Reykjavík, Iceland on the third weekend of October. The festival spans five days and its main focus is showcasing new music, both Icelandic and international.-Festival:...
is a major annual event in the Icelandic music scene, where both Icelandic and foreign bands perform in every club in Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
for a week.
Icelandic music artists
External links
- Iceland Music Export web-site, a comprehensive database of Icelandic music and musicians (in English)
- Kraumur Music Fund, supports Icelandic artists, Björk and Kjartan Sveinsson of Sigur Rós are board members (in English)
- Icelandic Pop Music Museum (in Icelandic)
- Idunn, a folk music preservation organization (in Icelandic)
- Icelandic Music Heritage Database (available in English)
- Musik.is - The Icelandic Music Page (available in English)
- Music From The Moon A scenic documentary movie about music in Iceland & Greenland
- IcelandicMusic.com If one is interested one can buy Icelandic music for downloading at that site.
- icelandculture.ru Russian page about Icelandic culture (in Russian).
- Iceland Airwaves
- The Icelandic music scene after the economic collapse
- The Real Icelandic Music Scene -- REDEFINE magazine