Ólöf Arnalds

Ólöf Arnalds
Ólöf Arnalds (2010)
Background information
Born	1980 (age 30–31)
Origin	Iceland
Instruments	Vocals, violin, stroh violin, guitar, charango
Years active	2002-present
Labels	12 Tónar
Associated acts	Múm

Ólöf Arnalds (born 1980) is an Icelandic singer/songwriter and indie musician who has been active within the Icelandic music scene for quite some time. Apart from her own music and being a touring member of Múm since 2003, she has cooperated with bands and artists such as Stórsveit Nix Noltes, Mugison, Slowblow and Skúli Sverrisson.^[1] Between 1988 and 2002 Ólöf studied violin and classical singing, and in 2002-2006 she studied composition and new media at Iceland Academy of the Arts.^[2]

In 2007 her debut album Við Og Við was released by 12 Tónar. The album features a set of songs performed mostly in a traditional troubadour style.

Ólöf's second album is Innundir skinni and was released in September 2010.

Ólöf's cousin Ólafur Arnalds is also a well known neo-classical composer.

Við og Við

Arnalds' debut album Við og Við was originally only released in Iceland in 2007 on Tonar, however, it wasn't released until 2009 in the United Kingdom and the USA after she had signed to One Little Indian Records.

However, even before being released on both sides of the Atlantic, word of mouth – including Bjork’s patronage - earned Við og Við high profile plaudits in the U.S., ranking in Paste Magazine's Top 100 Albums of 2007 and eMusic's editor's Best Albums of 2008 list.

The success of Við og Við in the US led to Arnalds touring with Blonde Redhead, Jonathan Richman, Björk and The Dirty Projectors, Jeff Mangum and led to her being covered extensively in US publications ranging from Vanity Fair, New York Times, Village Voice and Time Out New York.

Innundir Skinni

Arnalds' second album Innundir Skinni was released in 2010 by One Little Indian Records. It marked a departure of her previous work by including three English sung songs, including the single 'Surrender' which features Bjork’s distinctive vocal in the background.

The album was produced by Sigur Ros’ Kjartan Sveinsson and Davíð Þór Jónsson, and featured contributions from Bjork, Skúli Sverrisson (Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed), Shahzad Ismaily (Tom Waits, Plastic Ono Band, Bonnie "Prince" Billy), María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir (Amiina) and Ragnar.

Discography

Albums

• Við Og Við (12 Tónar, 2007)
• Innundir skinni (release September 13, 2010)^[3]

Singles

• 7" Maria Bethânia/Sveitin milli sanda (Aug. 2009)
• 7" Innundir skinni/Close My Eyes (Jun. 2010)
• 7" Crazy Car/Sukiyaki (Sept. 2010)
• 7" Surrender/Instans (Mar. 2011)

References

1. ^ "Iceland Airwaves 2006 artist profile: Ólöf Arnalds". Iceland Airwaves. http://www.icelandairwaves.com/artists.asp?pageID=&artistID=362. Retrieved 2007-11-24. ^{[dead link]}
2. ^ "LARM artist profile: Ólöf Arnalds". LARM - Nordic sound art festival. http://larm.pbwiki.com/%C3%93l%C3%B6f+Arnalds. Retrieved 2007-11-24. 
3. ^ Innundir skinni available for pre-order

External links

• Official website
• Ólöf Arnalds review at Favorite10.com
• Videos of Ólöf Arnalds performing live at lofi.tv
• Videos of Ólöf Arnalds performing on KEXP radio, Seattle at brooklynvegan.com
• Ólöf Arnalds interview at voixdesgeysers

Persondata
Name	Arnalds, Olof
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1980
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death