Árstíðir

Formed in Reykjavík in 2008, Árstíðir brings together, around carefully worked vocal harmonies, musicians Gunnar Már Jakobsson, Daniel Auðunsson and Ragnar Ólafsson, joined at times by various instrumentalists from the Icelandic scene. The band forges a crossover between acoustic folk, chamber pop and classical influences, with songs supported by arrangements for strings, piano and guitars, and lyrics in both Icelandic and English. After a self‑titled debut album in 2009, Árstíðir refined this aesthetic on Svefns og vöku skil (2011) and on Hvel (2015), where the pop element increasingly blends with a more orchestral approach to the writing. A collaboration with Dutch singer Anneke van Giersbergen resulted in the 2016 joint project Verloren Verleden, which reinterprets pieces from different repertoires. With Nivalis (2018) and Pendúll (2021), Árstíðir pursues work focused on vocal textures, an often contemplative tempo and a strong emphasis on atmosphere, while maintaining a steady presence on European and North American stages.