Songs of Longing and Love: Icelandic Soprano Hallveig Rúnarsdóttir Releases Hauntingly Beautiful Nordic Album
If you’re heading to Iceland this autumn and want to experience something truly soulful, mark your calendar for October 25th. That’s when one of Iceland’s most beloved sopranos, and my very own much better half, Hallveig Rúnarsdóttir, will take the stage in Harpa’s Norðurljós Hall...
Icelandic superstar Bríet loves swimming and spectacular nature
Icelandic superstar Bríet burst into the Icelandic music scene a few years ago. Immediately, this self-made young woman charmed Iceland with her irresistible star power. What captured people’s hearts and minds is how deeply personal and authentic her music is. She stands out from the...
Singer Margrét Rán is a superstar who loves Bragðarefur*
Iceland’s best export is probably its music. A case in point is the wonderful band Vök. Vök’s front-woman, Margrét Rán Magnúsdóttir, has quickly become of Iceland’s best know singers. Her live performance and presence are compelling, to the point of her having some undefined charisma...
Meet Laufey, Iceland’s latest musical prodigy
Iceland is a small country but has talented musicians. One of them is Laufey, who is now breaking through to international stardom. She is only one year older than my daughter, and I remember Laufey when they practiced ice-skating together. But since then, Laufey has...
Kælan Mikla are the Icelandic Queens of Goth – here is their travel advice
One of my favorite bands is the uber-cool, and a self-described synth-punk trio from Iceland, Kælan Mikla (The Big Chill). These three Icelandic queens of goth have been on the music scene since 2013. Their first hit, Kalt, was released two years later. Since then, they have traveled...
Path of Miracles – a choral masterpiece in a Reykjavik cathedral
A classical concert well worth attending will take place on January 20th, 21:00 (9 PM) at Landakotskirkja, the Catholic Cathedral in Reykjavík, when the Icelandic chamber choir Hljómeyki will perform one of the most interesting choral works of the 21st century to date, Path of...
Hallveig Runarsdottir – listen to the best classical singer in Iceland
A few weeks ago, I interviewed the brilliant Jewells Chambers. She runs the All things Iceland podcast. I introduced her to my wife, the award-winning Icelandic soprano singer Hallveig Runarsdottir. There is no doubt that she is the best classical and contemporary singer in Iceland....
Spotify playlist with Icelandic music – add your favorites
One of the best things about the internet is Spotify. I just find it incredible that you are able to have most of the published music in the world in your pocket at all times. I listen to music all the time and I thought...

