Download Ólafur Arnalds - biography

Ólafur Arnalds Biography Born in the suburban Icelandic town of Mosfellsbær, a few kilometers outside of Reykjavík, the 23-year old
composer has always enjoyed pushing boundaries with both his studio work and his live-shows. Through
relentless touring and determination this young artist has steadily gained recognition worldwide since his 2007
debut 'Eulogy for Evolution'. His 2008 follow-up EP ‘Variations of Static’ earned Ólafur acclaim from both
the contemporary and classical field – transcending a traditional divide. He has sold out some of the world’s
most renowned music venues including The Barbican Hall in London.
In the last eighteen months Arnalds has advanced from a former support-act for Sigur Rós to an internationally
respected artists in his own right. In April 2009 Arnalds created the 7 song series 'Found Songs' – recording a
song a day for 7 days and instantly making each track available on the Erased Tapes website with over
300,000 downloads. December 2009 saw the release of Ólafur’s contemporary dance score 'Dyad 1909',
commissioned by the award-winning choreographer Wayne McGregor.
Ólafur Arnalds’ second full-length album ’...and they have escaped the weight of darkness’, continues his
mission to lure an indie-generation of pop and rock fans into an emotive world of beguiling electronic chamber
music and delicate classical arrangements. Several of the pieces were written on tour and benefit directly from
the intensity of the live situation. At the same time it is the result of meticulous studio work in close cooperation with compatriot producer Barði Johannsson of eccentric pop/rock/electronica - formation Bang Gang.
Barði colored the brittle minimalism of previous releases through the addition of an array of new instruments.
“The album has a very clear theme,” Arnalds relates, “which is that there is always light after darkness. To me,
it has a more positive note than my previous works.” When Ólafur saw how the opening scene of a Hungarian
indie film metaphorically described a solar eclipse, he instantly connected it to the concept, naming the album
after a key line of the film’s introductory monologue.
Compared to his previous works, ’...and they have escaped the weight of darkness’ makes use of diverse
instrumentation – drums, guitars, voice, Rhodes, a selection of subtle synthesizers, alongside Arnalds’
trademark piano as well as Tony Levin on bass. Traditional terminologies become void on his latest offering
that blends contrasting elements into an original, entirely new musical language that beautifully unwraps the
sealed-off world of classical music.
Ólafur has continued a relentless tour schedule
throughout 2010 including a 30-date sell-out tour in
Europe, two tours in Asia and a performance of '...and
they have escaped the weight of darkness' for a full
orchestra in Manchester, UK. He recently wrote the score
for Sam Levinson’s film ‘Another Happy Day’ starring
Ellen Barkin, Kate Bosworth, Ellen Burstyn, Demi Moore
and George Kennedy. Ólafur attended the film’s
premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2011 a day before
setting out on a 12-date US Tour, followed by a sold-out
London show at The Tabernacle on February 7, 2011.
The new album '...and they have escaped the
weight of darkness' is out now on Erased Tapes.
UK PRESS:
US PRESS:
‘The indie kid who knows the score’ – Guardian’s Observer
‘Arnalds’ boldest and most ambitious take… the robust yet
ethereal, mid-tempo tearjerker …And They Have Escaped the
Weight of Darkness is a success for the composer’
(7.0) – Pitchfork
‘Timeless and sublime’ **** – Uncut
‘An artist of immense maturity' (9/10) – Drowned In Sound
'Hotwired to the soul. ...will reduce you to wordless tears'
– The Quietus
‘This set’s effortless poise elevates him to the genre’s upper
echelons' – BBC Music
‘Meticulous… uplifting and richly orchestrated… peopled with
languorous ladies climbing through ice filled caverns' – Clash
Best Live Session of 2008 – BBC Radio 1 Gilles Peterson show
‘Tenderly rendered puffs of ambient distress’ **** – Spin
‘Keep an eye on Arnalds. He will only increase in importance'
(86%) – Filter
'Mature, modern explorations of life and its unexpected joys,
rendering Arnalds increasingly visible'
10 Best New Solo Artists of 2010 – Paste Magazine
‘In the growing canon of “home classical” works, Arnalds has
added another benchmark’ – Exclaim!
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