5 Icelandic Folk Music Artists You Need to Know

Icelandic folk music has been gaining in popularity lately. Here are 5 artists you need to know if you’re a fan of this genre.

Icelandic Folk Music

Traditional Icelandic music is unique and beautiful. It’s a mix of Nordic and Celtic influences, and some of the instruments used are similar to those found in Scandinavian countries. Icelandic folk music has been around for centuries, and it’s still very popular today. Here are five Icelandic folk music artists you need to know.

What is Icelandic Folk Music?

Icelandic folk music is the music of Iceland. It has been influenced by many other genres including pop, rock, and jazz. It is also very important to the people of Iceland and has been used as a way to express their national identity.

The most famous Icelandic folk musician is probably Björk, who is known for her innovative and eclectic style. Other popular Icelandic folk musicians include Ólafur Arnalds, Sigur Rós, and Múm.

Icelandic folk music is often based on the country’s rich oral tradition. Many of the songs are about Icelandic history and culture, and some are even about real-life events that have happened in Iceland. The music often tells stories about love, loss, nature, and the Icelandic landscape.

If you’re interested in learning more about Icelandic folk music, check out these five Icelandic folk music artists you need to know.

The History of Icelandic Folk Music

Icelandic folk music includes a number of different styles that have developed over the centuries. Icelandic music has been strongly influenced by the music of Scandinavia and the British Isles, as well as by the classical music of the Romantic era.

One of the most important early figures in Icelandic folk music was Þorlákur Skúlason, a priest and composer who collected and wrote down many traditional songs in the 18th century. Traditionally, Icelanders did not write down their music, but instead passed it on orally from one generation to the next.

Another important figure in the history of Icelandic folk music was Jón Sigurðsson, who collected and published folk songs in the 19th century. He also founded the first Icelandic folk music society, which helped to preserve and promote traditional music.

Folk music began to decline in popularity in Iceland in the early 20th century, as people began to move away from rural communities and toward urban areas. The traditional musical instruments began to be replaced by more modern instruments such as guitars and pianos.

However, there has been a recent revival of interest in Icelandic folk music, both in Iceland and abroad. Several contemporary musicians have been acclaimed for their interpretations of traditional songs, such as Björk, Megas Alexander Jonsson, and Sigur Rós.

Icelandic Folk Music Artists

There are many Icelandic folk music artists out there, but these 5 are the ones you need to know. From Iceland’s famous singer-songwriter Björk to the lesser-known but just as talented band Vök, these artists will give you a taste of the best Icelandic folk music has to offer.

Ásgeir Trausti

Ásgeir Trausti is a singer-songwriter from Reykjavík, Iceland. His music has been described as “a mix of Bon Iver and Of Monsters and Men”. He released his debut album, Dýrð í dauðaþögn, in 2012, which achieved commercial and critical success in Iceland. It was certified platinum in Iceland and nominated for Album of the Year at the Icelandic Music Awards. In 2013, the album was released internationally to critical acclaim, garnering comparisons to Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes. Trausti’s follow-up album, In the Silence, was released in 2014 to similar acclaim.

Sóley

Sóley is an Icelandic singer-songwriter and musician who first gained attention as a member of the indie-folk band múm. Her first solo album, We Sink, was released in 2011 to critical acclaim. Since then, she has released two more solo albums, Sweet Sour (2012) and Ask the Deep (2015), both of which have been widely praised by critics.

Sóley’s music is often described as “dreamy” and “ethereal,” and she has been compared to other Icelandic artists such as Björk and Ólöf Arnalds. Her music often features delicate piano melodies and her ethereal voice.

If you’re a fan of Icelandic folk music, or just looking for something new to listen to, definitely check out Sóley!

Júníus Meyvant

With a sound that’s been likened to Van Morrison and Neutral Milk Hotel, Júníus Meyvant is quickly making a name for himself as one of Iceland’s most promising young musicians. His debut album, Floating Harmonies, was released to critical acclaim in 2016, and he’s currently working on his follow-up. In the meantime, be sure to check out his singles “Neon Experience” and “Across the Borders.”

Meyvant’s music is firmly rooted in the Icelandic tradition of folk music, but he also draws inspiration from a variety of other genres, including soul, country, and psychedelic rock. This eclectic mix of influences gives his music a truly unique sound that is sure to appeal to fans of all kinds of music.

Ólafur Arnalds

Ólafur Arnalds is an Icelandic multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and artist. His work spans various genres including ambient, classical, electronica, pop and trip-hop. He frequently incorporates elements of minimalism, techno and indie rock into his work. He has released seven solo albums – ‘Found Songs’ (2009), ‘Living Room Songs’ (2011), ‘For Now I Am Winter’ (2013), ‘Island Songs’ (2016), re:member (2018), some kind of peace (2020) – as well as two vocal albums with singer/songwriter Arnor Dan – ‘The Chopin Project’ (2014) and ‘dægur’ (2020). He has also scored music for several films and tv series including Broadchurch, The Hunt and Men In Black: International.

Hjálmar

Hjálmar is a Icelandic folk music group that was founded in 2001. The group is known for their unique sound that combines traditional Icelandic folk music with modern pop and rock influences. Hjálmar has released three studio albums, the most recent of which, “Hljóðamúsík,” was released in 2016.

Members of Hjálmar include:

-Guðmundur Jónsson: vocals, guitar
-Ólafur Atlason: violin, mandolin
-Birkir Már Einarsson: bass
-Kristinn Svavarsson: drums, percussion