Beautiful, beguiling and poised to win a huge British following in the coming months, the first of Ólöf Arnalds hotly anticipated new material is aired with the release of new single Innundir Skinni, released through One Little Indian on the 28th June 2010. It is backed with a cover of Arthur Russell’s ‘Close My Eyes’.
Ólöf - accompanied by musical foil, Davíð Þór Jónsson - finally made her (sold out) UK live debut in April, seducing a crowd that arrived curious but left bedazzled by a magical two-hour show at Café Oto that oscillated between playful spontaneity and stark heart-breaking beauty, showcasing Ólöf’s extraordinary, enchanting voice and engaging stage presence. (Eccentrically, the pair even provided the musical interlude during the show’s interval).
Leaving Iceland for the UK just as the Eyjafjallajökull volcano began to erupt, Ólöfbrought more of Iceland than anticipated in her wake: A good omen for sure. Subsequently stranded in London for the week, Ólöf made the best of things, enjoying the visceral thrills of her first English football match (QPR v Cardiff, fact fans) and seeing the sights of London.
The title track of her forthcoming second album, Innundir Skinni – meaning ‘under the skin’ - is once again sung in her native Icelandic; a song about expectation, and more specifically, “about expecting a child, about something being created inside you, that you look forward getting to know better.” The new album also marks a departure by including three English sung songs, including single to be, Crazy Car. Arnald’s lilting voice makes her songs come alive, leaving the impression of a classic troubadour with associations to early freak-folkers like Vashti Bunyan and Judee Sill.
Already on the receiving end of a considerable NYC buzz, Ólöf has performed a number of shows in the city alongside Bjork, Dirty Projectors, Blonde Redhead, and John Vanderslice, also appearing at showcases for Brooklyn Vegan and 'Celebrate Brooklyn!', and this week opens NY and LA shows for Ane Brun.
Produced by Sigur Ros’ Kjartan Sveinsson and Davíð Þór Jónsson, the follow up to 2007’s Við og Viðdebut, Innundir Skinni features 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 Kjartansson.
The album Innundir Skinni will be released through One Little Indian in late summer.
Ólöf - accompanied by musical foil, Davíð Þór Jónsson - finally made her (sold out) UK live debut in April, seducing a crowd that arrived curious but left bedazzled by a magical two-hour show at Café Oto that oscillated between playful spontaneity and stark heart-breaking beauty, showcasing Ólöf’s extraordinary, enchanting voice and engaging stage presence. (Eccentrically, the pair even provided the musical interlude during the show’s interval).
Leaving Iceland for the UK just as the Eyjafjallajökull volcano began to erupt, Ólöfbrought more of Iceland than anticipated in her wake: A good omen for sure. Subsequently stranded in London for the week, Ólöf made the best of things, enjoying the visceral thrills of her first English football match (QPR v Cardiff, fact fans) and seeing the sights of London.
The title track of her forthcoming second album, Innundir Skinni – meaning ‘under the skin’ - is once again sung in her native Icelandic; a song about expectation, and more specifically, “about expecting a child, about something being created inside you, that you look forward getting to know better.” The new album also marks a departure by including three English sung songs, including single to be, Crazy Car. Arnald’s lilting voice makes her songs come alive, leaving the impression of a classic troubadour with associations to early freak-folkers like Vashti Bunyan and Judee Sill.
Already on the receiving end of a considerable NYC buzz, Ólöf has performed a number of shows in the city alongside Bjork, Dirty Projectors, Blonde Redhead, and John Vanderslice, also appearing at showcases for Brooklyn Vegan and 'Celebrate Brooklyn!', and this week opens NY and LA shows for Ane Brun.
Produced by Sigur Ros’ Kjartan Sveinsson and Davíð Þór Jónsson, the follow up to 2007’s Við og Viðdebut, Innundir Skinni features 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 Kjartansson.
The album Innundir Skinni will be released through One Little Indian in late summer.
