Icelandic folk chanteuse Ólöf Arnalds has been a prominent figure in her native music scene for several years as a member of Múm.
However it is Ólöf’s solo debut, Við og Við that continues to garner widespread acclaim. Produced by Kjartan Sveinsson from Sigur rós, it won Best Alternative Album at the 2007 Iceland Music Awards as well as Record of the Year at Iceland’s largest daily newspaper, Morgunblaðið. Despite release only in Iceland, word of mouth earned Við og Við high profile plaudits in the U.S. including a #38 ranking in Paste Magazine’s Top 100 Albums of 2007 and #81 in eMusic’s editors Best albums of 2008 list.
Við og Við’s recent Stateside popularity has seen Ólöf play with the likes of Blonde Redhead, Jonathan Richman, Björk and The Dirty Projectors. Ólöf’s recent run of U.S. dates has been covered extensively with publications ranging from Vanity Fair, New York Times, Village Voice and Time Out New York chiming in with praise.
Ólöf recently finished recording her second album, Ókídókí at Sigur rós’ Sundlaugin Studios with Kjartan Sveinsson producing once again. It’s a more ambitious project than her debut featuring elaborate arrangements and vocals sung both in English and Icelandic. Tune in, find joy.
