Free and Vibrant Music: Recommended Icelandic Artists — Popular Singers and Bands

Frigid/BagStafraenn Hakon

Stafrænn Hákon – Frigid/Bag (video)

Stafraenn Hakon is a post-rock project by Olafur Josephsson, born in 1977 and hailing from Reykjavik, Iceland.

Active since 2001, he has released more than ten digital albums and EPs.

His music is characterized by spacious soundscapes with an ambient feel.

The album covers often evoke abstract art or Radiohead-like elements, and the music videos also have an offbeat atmosphere.

GleipnirSKÁLMÖLD

SKÁLMÖLD – Gleipnir (Official) | Napalm Records

Skálmöld is a Viking/folk metal band themed around Norse mythology and history.

Formed in 2009, they released their debut album, Baldur, in 2010.

They are characterized by epic guitar riffs, melodic keyboards, and multi-part choral vocals.

In 2014, they released Með vættum, increasing their international recognition.

Many of their songs are grand narratives depicting the adventures of ancient warriors and gods, and the fact that they sing in Old Norse is also appealing.

In 2012, they won the Best Metal/Hard Rock Album at the Icelandic Music Awards.

Their live performances foster an impressive sense of unity with the audience, making them highly recommended for anyone interested in Norse mythology and Viking culture.

GoodbyeDikta

Dikta – Goodbye (Official Music Video)

Dikta is a four-piece indie pop rock band from Reykjavik, Iceland, formed in 1999.

The members have been friends since childhood.

In 2002 they released their debut album Andartak on Mistak Records, with singles reaching the top of the Icelandic charts.

In 2005 they released their second album, Hunting for Happiness, on Smekkleysa SM (Bad Taste), the label owned by the Sugarcubes.

Their third album, Get It Together, was released in 2009 by the German indie label Smarten-Up! and distributed by Rough Trade in 2010; the album went platinum in Iceland.

After their 2010–2011 tour, their fourth album, Trust Me, was released in Iceland by Kerský.

Their fifth album, Easy Street, came out in 2015.

“Goodbye” is a track from the third album, and its music video features an animation-style narrative paired with an acoustic sound that creates a distinctive vibe.

By and ByLay Low

Lay Low – By and By (HD Version)

Lay Low is an Icelandic female singer and artist, born in 1982 and originally from London.

She moved to Iceland as a child and began piano lessons; in her teens she started playing electric bass and guitar, performing with local bands, and joined Benny Crespo’s Gang, playing keyboards/synthesizer and guitar.

A demo she posted on MySpace caught the attention of the Icelandic label Cod Music, and a few months later she released her debut album Please Do Not Hate Me, which was nominated for four Icelandic Music Awards in 2006 and won two.

In 2008, she released a soundtrack for a stage play and won the Gríman award for theater music, released an album with Benny Crespo’s Gang, produced her third solo album Farewell Good Night’s Sleep in London, appeared at festivals and on tour in 2009, and starred in the film December directed by Hilmar Oddsson the same year.

She began touring in 2010, contributed music to the film industry, and released the albums Brostinn Strengur in 2011, Live at Home in 2013, and Talking About the Weather in 2015.

By and By is a track from her 2008 solo album.

ChicagoQuarashi

Quarashi – Chicago – (Official Music Video)

Quarashi is a four-member hip-hop group from Reykjavík, Iceland, formed in 1996.

Active from 1996 to 2005, they released six albums over nine years.

Their debut single Switch Stance, released in Iceland in 1996, reached No.

1, and their 1997 debut album QUARASHI and 1999 second album Xeneizes were certified gold.

Through live performances and opening for well-known bands, they grew in popularity, leading to their U.

S.

debut album JINX on Columbia Records in 2002.

The tracks Stick ’Em Up and Mr.

Jinx became hits, and they made their first visit to Japan for Summer Sonic 2002.

The group disbanded in 2005.

Afterwards, members pursued solo careers, studied at the University of Iceland, worked in graphic design and screenwriting, and engaged in the entertainment industry.

R4vinSamaris

Samaris – R4vin

Samaris is an electronic trio from Reykjavik, Iceland, formed in 2011.

The group consists of vocals, clarinet, and electronics.

They took part in Iceland’s Músiktilraunir in 2011, winning the music competition and also receiving the award for keyboards/programming.

Their self-released EP won the Icelandic Kraumur Award, and they signed with One Little Indian in 2012.

In 2013, they released the album Samaris, which compiled their EPs, and in 2014 they released their debut album Silkidrangar.

“R4ivin” is a track from their second album, Black Lights, released in 2016.

GlowWorm Is Green

Worm Is Green – Glow

Worm Is Green is a four-piece electro-organic and ambient pop band from Akranes on the west coast of Iceland, formed in 2000.

They debuted in 2004 with Automagic on Thule Musik, followed by their second album Push Play in 2005, which includes the track Optimistic; their third album Glow was released in 2011, and their fourth album To Them We Are Only Shadows in 2014.

Their sound features elements reminiscent of a Bristol-style electro-ambient act like Portishead, while also being notably organic and pop-oriented.