Árstíðir
| Árstíðir | |
|---|---|
|
Árstíðir at TFF Rudolstadt, 2013. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Reykjavík, Iceland |
| Genres | Indie, classical music |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Nivalis, Beste Unterhaltung |
| Website |
www |
| Members |
Karl James Pestka Gunnar Már Jakobsson Ragnar Ólafsson Daniel Auðunsson |
Árstíðir (English: Seasons) is an Icelandic indie-folk band with classical, progressive rock and minimalist elements.[1] Aside from the genre-mix in their music, the defining characteristic of this band are their vocal harmonies, as all four members sing.
The band formed in 2008 in Reykjavík as a trio, consisting of Daniel Auðunsson (guitar), Gunnar Már Jakobsson (guitar) and Ragnar Ólafsson (baritone guitar). When they recorded their first album, Árstíðir, Hallgrímur Jónas Jensson (cello) and Jón Elísson (piano) joined the band. In 2010, the band became a sextet with Karl James Pestka (violin). Jón Elísson and Hallgrímur Jónas Jensson left Árstíðir in late 2013, and the remaining quartet rearranged.
Currently, Árstíðir is composed of members Karl James Pestka (violin), Gunnar Már Jakobsson (baritone guitar), Daniel Auðunsson (guitar) and Ragnar Ólafsson (piano). At their concerts, they are supported by a cellist. Since founding the band, they have released three albums: one live EP and two studio albums.[2][3] Árstíðir have always been an independent band. In Iceland, they have their own record company, Nivalis. Released on Árstíðir's own independent label Nivalis. and in Germany they have a cooperation contract with Beste Unterhaltung. In 2014, they crowdfunded their third studio album, Hvel, via Kickstarter, which was released in March 2015.[4]
Discography
Studio
- 2009: Árstíðir (English: Seasons)
- 2011: Svefns og vöku skil (English: Sleep State Return)
- 2015: Hvel (English: Spheres)
- 2016: Verloren Verleden (English: Lost Past) in collaboration with Anneke van Giersbergen
Lives & EPs
- 2009: Live at Fríkirkjan (Free Church) (EP)
- 2012: Tvíeind (Remix EP)[5]
Viral Video
Árstíðir became known to a wider internet audience in 2013 when a YouTube video of an impromptu a capella performance of Heyr himna smiður, (English: Hear, Smith of Heavens), a 13th-century Icelandic hymn, at a train station in Wuppertal, Germany went viral after a performance there. The video was shot by their PR manager.[6]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Album "Árstíðir" | #1 in Iceland Album Chart | Nominated |
| 2012 | Folkherbst in Plauen, Germany | Eiserner Eversteiner, Jury Award [7] | Won |
References
- ↑ "hudba - novinky - Islandští folkaři Árstíðir na českém turné". Muzikus.cz. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
- ↑ Icelandic Artists, musicians, bands - Arstidir
- ↑ Artists - Line-up - Iceland Airwaves
- ↑ "Árstíðir's Kickstarter campaign".
- ↑ "Tvíeind by Árstíðir - gogoyoko". Retrieved 2012-12-16.
- ↑ Youtube video of Árstíðir's improvised performance
- ↑ "Eiserner Eversteiner - list of winners (German)".
External links
- Official website
- Last.fm
- Details (Russian)