Jonsi @ Terminal 5 (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

Along with that Godspeed You! Black Emperor announcement, two Wordless Music Series-presented shows included, came this:

"Look for a full 2010-11 Wordless Music season announcement in the coming days, including world and U.S. premieres of new music for orchestra by Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, Jónsi and Kjartan of Sigur Rós with Alex Somers of Riceboy Sleeps, Kronos Quartet, The Hilliard Ensemble, Latvian National Choir, Tyondai Braxton, the Wordless Music Orchestra, Joshua Rifkin, Deerhoof, and the U.S. debut of the Carl Craig/Moritz von Oswald/Francesco Tristano Schlimé Trio, as well as collaborations with Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Library of Congress, Walker Arts Center, and Emerson College for concerts in New York City, Washington D.C., Boston, and Minneapolis."

Stay tuned for more details. Meanwhile, tickets are on sale for both NYC Godspeed shows.

photos by Vincent Cornelli

FlavorPill: So you don't have any plans to move Stateside?

Olof Arnalds: Not now. Maybe in a few years it would be great. I have a son who's one and a half years old, and there's so much life quality in Iceland when it comes to having children because it's so safe. It's such a good environment for kids to have the freedom to play. I have a big family, and I wouldn't want to raise my kids anywhere else than Iceland.

FP: Can you talk a little bit about the music scene in Iceland?

OA: It's a very tight scene. Everyone's friends and help each other out. It's really vibrant because you can make things happen really quickly. It doesn't take a long time to make it happen. It's a gutsy environment. People just do things.

FP: How did you meet Kjartan Sveinsson from Sigur Ros, who produced your first album?

OA: His wife, Maria. We're friends from youth. She's from the quartet Amiina that played with Sigur Ros for many years. It's just a small scene of musicians. It's friendship. Sigur Ros and Mum, who I used to play with, are good friends.

Olof and Kjartan Sveinsson teamed up for two shows at the Whitney on Friday (11/6). Then on Monday (11/9) Olof played her own show at Rockwood Music Hall. More pictures from that below....

Continue reading "Olof Arnalds played the Whitney, Rockwood Music Hall (pics)"

DOWNLOAD: Olof Arnalds - Englar og darer (MP3)

Ólöf Arnalds's beautiful debut album, Við og Við, will be released in the US by One Little Indian on January 12th. Grab track #1 above for free right now! That's the cover art up there too.

NYC is becoming a second home for Olof who is back in town again and will be joined by fellow Icelandic musician Kjartan Sveinsson of Sigur Rós at the Whitney Museum of American Art on November 6th.

Cage a Swallow Can't You But You Can't Swallow A Cage: A Sonnet Sequence for Roni Horn

November 6
Performances at 7 pm and 8 pm

Composed in honor of Roni Horn by poet Anne Carson, this performance of sung and spoken word features a mix of voice and harmonium. Icelandic musicians Olof Arnalds and Kjartan Sveinsson of Sigur Ros, join Carson and poets R. Currie and Penelope Thomas for this special program.

"Whitney Live is free with Museum admission, which is pay-what-you-wish on Fridays from 6-9 pm. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not accepted."

That is one of two (actually three) chances you have to see Olof in the next week. She will also return to Rockwood Music Hall for a show on November 9th (10pm set).

In September Olof stopped by KEXP's studios to perform some songs. Check out those videos below...

Continue reading "Olof Arnalds - new album in 2010 (MP3), a Whitney show w/ a Sigur Ros member, a Rockwood show, KEXP videos & more "