the sound of iceland
here's a little musical compilation of icelandic artists. these were our companions during our stay in iceland. a perfect overview of the musical scene in iceland offers the record shop 12 tónar. 12 tónar is also an independent record label. sometimes you meet musicians in their shop.
valdimar is an icelandic indie pop and rock band that was established in 2009 as a duo by valdimar guðmundsson and asgeir
aðalsteinsson, both originating from Keflavik, iceland.
At only 21 years of age, Ásgeir has already released Iceland’s biggest ever selling debut album by a domestic artist, won 4
Icelandic Music Awards and been nominated for the prestigious Nordic Music Prize.
GusGus are one of the most well known acts in electronic music today with over 500.000 albums sold in their illustrious
career.
The band Hjaltalín began as a one-act thing in the music scene of MH, a Reykjavík gymnasium (in 2004) that is renowned for
harboring musicians. Things have evolved since then, personnel changed, and the band has actually changed course regarding musical styles in the meantime, although the band is certainly hard to
categorize with influences ranging from modern indie rock to 60’s pop music to classical music.
Agent Fresco were named as the best new artists at the Icelandic equivalent of the Grammies - the Íslensku
Tónlistarverðlaunin.
Sigur Rós is an famous post-rock band from Reykjavík, which has been active since 1994. Known for its ethereal sound, frontman
Jónsi Birgisson's falsetto vocals, and the use of bowed guitar.