Music of Iceland - Popular Music

Popular Music

Icelandic popular music today includes many bands and artists, ranging from pop-rock groups such as Á Móti Sól (Rockstar: Supernova Magni's band), Quarashi, Bang Gang, Amiina, to solo ballad singers like Bubbi Morthens, Megas, Björgvin Halldórsson and Páll Rósinkranz, all the way to reggae band Hjálmar and Bulgarian indie-folk band Stórsveit Nix Noltes. There is also a metal and hardcore scene, including notable bands Sólstafir and Changer, and a casio-punk-pop scene spearheaded by Pool Party.

The indie scene is also very strong in Iceland, and bands such as múm, Sigur Rós, the quirky folk/pop singer Hafdís Huld and the solo artist Mugison are fairly well known outside Iceland. Easily the most famous Icelandic artist is eclectic singer and composer Björk, who has received 13 Grammy nominations and sold over 15 million albums worldwide, including two platinum albums and one gold album in the United States.

In recent years, Iceland has seen development and change in both the commercial and underground music scenes. Prominent experimental indie bands, such as the high school originated Hjaltalín and Benny Crespo's Gang are enjoying a wider audience. Notable music veterans are expanding into sub genres; for example, GusGus frontman Daníel Ágúst is currently collaborating with punk rock star Krummi from Mínus, forming the raw duo Esja. The electronic scene in Icelandic music has also widened its audience. Grittier electronic bands are redefining old styles with dynamic music such as the widely acclaimed band Steed Lord, who proclaim themselves as producers of "Gangsta electronic music".

Read more about this topic:  Music Of Iceland

Famous quotes containing the words popular and/or music:

    The man of large and conspicuous public service in civil life must be content without the Presidency. Still more, the availability of a popular man in a doubtful State will secure him the prize in a close contest against the first statesman of the country whose State is safe.
    Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)

    In benevolent natures the impulse to pity is so sudden, that like instruments of music which obey the touch ... you would think the will was scarce concerned, and that the mind was altogether passive in the sympathy which her own goodness has excited. The truth is,—the soul is [so] ... wholly engrossed by the object of pity, that she does not ... take leisure to examine the principles upon which she acts.
    Laurence Sterne (1713–1768)