sound:

Only 21 years of age, Ólafur hails from the suburban Icelandic town, Mosfellsbær, just a few kilometers outside Reykjavík. He as immersed himself completely in the world of delicate symphonic compositions in a near weightless orchestral undertaking. Debut album 'Eulogy for Evolution' takes the listener on a journey, representing different periods in life, from birth to death. The follow-up EP 'Variations of Static' will be available from May 2008 and comes with a free digital copy of the 'Erased Tapes Collection I' compilation to celebrate their 1st anniversary. While keeping the classical foundations of his debut album, here Arnalds incorporates crackling electronics and the dead voice of a machine; like vague memories of tradition lost within the digital age we all live in.

Since last winter Ólafur and his live string quartet have been playing mostly sold out shows at unique venues throughout the rest of Europe. In May he set out on an extensive tour around the world including a headline show in front of 1000 people at London's Barbican Hall on June 20th and a few EU festival performances throughout the summer, including Haldern Pop, Immergut and Secret Garden Party. Ólafur did his first full North American tour in July and fellow Icelanders Sigur Rós have asked Ólafur to open some of their European shows in mid August before he continues his tour around the world including his first Asian tour and a full UK tour in October, and an extensive European tour in November.

Ólafur will finally return to Iceland in late november to start recording his much anticipated second full length album.

• website link for Ólafur Arnalds: www.myspace.com/olafurarnalds
• other artists and composers involved in sound 2008