ÁRSTÍÐIR

Icelandic indie / www.arstidir.com

Árstíðir are a vocal-based acoustic band from Reykjavík with a sound unique to the Icelandic music scene. Aside from their trademark vocal harmonies, it is their instrumentation which sets their sound apart, effusing a warm tide of resonant acoustic and baritone guitars, virtuosic piano, and melismatic strings. The result is an unusually wide sound spectra, further emphasized by the impressive vocal range of all six members.

The music of Árstíðir is a rare mix that is at the same time simple and complex. Their songs are easy to fall in love with, yet it mixes influences from classical music, progressive rock, country and Icelandic folk music. The band consists of distinguished players known from various bands and various genres in the Reykjavíkian sound-scape. 

The band was formed in 2008 and quickly became an important act in the folk-inspired music scene that has been on the rise in Iceland since the bank crisis. Their use of vocal harmonies has had an immense impact on the icelandic music scene, and new vocal-based bands are constantly appearing in its wake. 

The band played at the main stage on the Iceland Airwaves festival in the fall, which generated considerable media attention in international music magazines, few of their songs were No 1 in Icelandic and Swedish radios.

After successful touring around northern Europe and Russia, the band is currently writing material for their sophomore album, which is scheduled to be recorded in the spring 2011. The album will be produced by Ólafur Arnalds.

• Hallgrímur Jónas Jensson / cello, vocal 
• Karl Aldinsteinn Pestka /  violine, vocal
• Gunnar Már Jakobsson /  guitar, vocal
• Ragnar Ólafsson / baritone-guitar, vocal
• Daníel Auðunsson /  guitar, vocal
• Jón Elísson / piano, vocal