Country Spotlight ::: Iceland

We've had a couple of city spotlight posts, featuring artists from cities across the US. Now it's time to venture across the Atlantic in our first Country Spotlight, Iceland.

For a country whose temperature tops out in the mid-50's during the summer months the music has a strong variety of upbeat tones. Even the more mellow songs, including Pétur Ben's I'll Be Here (below) maintains a sense of optimism. 

Before we get into the music, here is a post about Icelandic music which appears to be a student practicing for an academic presentation. The highlight of the video is when she talks about never hearing Bjork before, but she's heard she great. "I mean she has more grammy's than Adele".

 MaddyRunsWithLions ::: A Brief History of Icelandic Music

My Bubba & Mi

My bubba & Mi is a daringly sweet pair of ladies, whose songs are slow and easy, teasing and pleasing. They call them lullabies from the countryside, with one part sweet talking, one part mumbo jumbo and one part pure wisdom. Bubba (from Iceland) plays the guitar and the banjo, and My (Swedish) has an ancient table harp. Sometimes a contrabass or a mandolin is part of the outfit, as 'Mi' represents the changing additional musicians who accompany on tours and recordings. And they sing. Sweetly and simply, songs that stroke you like a banana cream pie and the sound of wood, and remind you of a great grandmother's perfume. 

My Bubba & Mi ::: Fuck the Pain Away

My Bubba & Mi ::: Apple Spell 

Pétur Ben
Pétur mixes calm guitar riffs with a relaxing and reassuring voice. I liken him to a mellow and much smaller Arcade Fire.

Pétur Ben ::: I'll Be Here

https://soundcloud.com/petur-ben/cold-war-baby

Pétur Ben ::: Cold War Baby

Pétur Ben ::: Billie Jean (Cover)

Of Monster & Men

You've no doubt heard this five-piece folk band, likely falling in love with them the first time you heard them. Their debut album, My Head Is An Animal, is a cheery collection of well produced fairy tale like stories. If you've been under a rock for the past year enjoy the OM&M collection below.

Of Monsters & Men ::: Little Talks

Of Monsters & Men ::: Sloom

Of Monsters & Men ::: Mountain Sound

(Backstage @ Sasquatch 2012)

Björk 

I'm not sure I can give a better introduction to our next Icelandic artist than the one given in the first video above. She has been associated with great acts since she hit the music scene in 1992 with the Sugarcubes, though it has sometimes been overshadowed by her wardrobe. She has continued her illustrious with her recent Grammy nominated Biophilia.

Björk ::: Army of Me

Björk ::: Crystalline

Sigur Rós

An Icelandic post-rock band with melodic, classical, experimental, and minimalist elements. The band is known for its ethereal sound and lead singer Jónsi’s falsetto voice. Sigur Rós means Victory Rose, named after Jonsi's little sister.

Sigur Rós ::: Hoppipolla

Sigur Rós ::: Sæglópur

Other Icelandic bands include Icelandic medieval music group Voces Thules, jazz fusion band Mezzoforte,  and singer Emilíana Torrini.