Chicago – What is it about Iceland? With a total population of only 300,000+, the Nordic island cranks out über talented musicians left and right, from Björk to Sigur Rós and now Asgeir. The 22-year-old singer-songwriter, born Ásgeir Trausti Einarsson, effortlessly creates stunning, melodic folk. After releasing his premiere LP Dýrð í dauðaþögn in 2012, Asgeir quickly became a local sensation and a record holder, with Dýrð í dauðaþögn standing as the most sold debut album in Iceland’s history. With all the success, the demand for an English language album came as no surprise, so Asgeir collaborated with American-born, Icelandic transplant singer-songwriter John Grant to translate the record. The breathtaking end result was In the Silence (One Little Indian Records), which features the fabulous single “King and Cross.”
Best New Bands caught up with Asgeir to discuss collaborative songwriting, moving to the city and getting ready to tour with Hozier.
You’ve been making music and writing songs since childhood. At what age do you first remember feeling an attraction towards music, and at what age did you realize you wanted to be a musician?
There was always music in my house from a very young age, so from the get go I have been surrounded by it. I remember my mother buying me Nevermind, when I was 6 and that was the first time I was really blown away by an album. When I was around 12 my brother started a band called Hjalmar, and that was a huge inspiration for me to start trying to be a professional musician.
You write songs with your dad and long-time friend Julius. Can you talk a bit about the collaboration process?
My father has always written poetry, both for himself and my brother, [who] has also used some in his band. I have always admired it so much that I thought it would be great to have it in this project, as well. I will usually write the music and then send it over to my dad for him to try and place some lyrics over the top of it. Julius has also written a few lyrics for songs, which are equally as good!
You moved to Reykjavik with your sister when you were only sixteen. Did you move with the intention of making music or did you simply want to see all that the city had to offer?
I moved to Reykjavik mainly just to explore a larger city and study my javelin throwing more seriously. It was definitely handy being in Reykjavik, for musical purposes. Where I was growing up, if you broke a string you would have to be willing to drive a good couple of hours to buy some more. Living in Reykjavik made that all a lot easier.
You recruited John Grant to help translate your debut album into an English language LP titled In the Silence. What was that process like and was it difficult to put something so personal into the hands of another?
It was a very interesting experience, hearing someone take my father’s poetry and some of Julius’ lyrics as well and have their own take on them. A lot of the translation is very literal and very true to the original Icelandic though.
Speaking of John Grant, he’s in your music video for “King & Cross.” Tell us about the making of this video!
We thought it would be a nice idea to have John in the video, after his involvement in translating the album. It was definitely my first time spending the day in armor, but it was a fun day.
The melody is “Torrent” is very whimsical, yet still elegant. What inspired this beautiful song?
I was just playing around with time signatures on the piano and this melody and pattern came to be. I was quite fond of it, so kept it in mind for when we were writing the album.
Your brother is in your band. It must be wonderful to have family with you while on tour.
That is true! It is nice having a family element of tour. There is some foolishness, we both share a similar sense of humour and have a good time together.
You’ll being touring the States in February with Hozier. What are you looking forward to most on this upcoming tour?
I’m really looking forward to seeing Hozier play. I’ve never seen him before, but have heard really great things. We are also doing a bit of a different show on this tour, stripping it back to a three-piece. So I’m excited to try out the songs in this different set up.
Finally, I have to ask about your cover of Nirvana’s “Heart-shaped Box.” I love how much you slowed it down. That combined with the piano and your angelic voice transport the song to a whole new level. What prompted you to change it up like that? And might we expect to hear any more Nirvana covers form you in the future?
Thank you. We did that for the first time back in 2013, when we were doing a radio session for the BBC in the U.K.. We have never really enjoyed doing covers all that much, but it was a song that I really liked when I was younger and it just stuck as a cover. Then we start building it up to the version that you’ve heard. I’m not sure of any future Nirvana covers, we’ll see though…
Be sure to see for yourself! Check out Asgeir in concert. Click HERE for tour dates. In the Silence is available for purchase on iTunes.
Photos of Asgeir by Jonatan Gretarsson
Sarah Hess
After attending The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Sarah went on to study education at Dominican University, earning a degree in history. When not teaching, writing, or taking in a show, she is most likely to be found with a camera to her eye or hanging out in a darkroom.
You can follow Sarah Hess on twitter at @Sarahhasanh and view her music photography on her website: smhimaging.com.
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