I wanted to start this year out right with an artist I admire and love very much, . As someone who watches Iceland very closely when it comes to music, it was an honor to have the one and only Ólöf Arnalds answer this week’s Kuestionnaire. An Icelandic singer/songwriter who has been active within the Icelandic music scene for quite some time, Ólöf also has been a touring member of Múm since 2003. On January 12th, this soaring songbird will be re-releasing her first album, Við og við, a soft-yet-searing collection of ten intimate and atmospheric songs that will whisper their way into your bloodstream. Closer to Nick Drake or Jolie Holland, the 29-year-old singer and writer has nonetheless been busy since Við og við and plans on releasing her follow up this Spring called (adorably) Ókídóki.

So here we go, a nice kick-off to the New Year. We present to you, the Ólöf Arnalds Kuestionnaire.

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1. Could you state your name and what you do?
Ólöf Arnalds, write, sing and play different instruments

2. How would you describe your sound?
At the moment, acoustic.

3. What is your favorite local band?

4. Any concerts that blew your mind recently?
On this years Reykjavík Jazz festival there was a concert of solo pianists and my collaborator, Davíð Þór Jónsson played a mind-blowing two piano duet with another great Icelandic pianist, Eyþór Gunnarsson.

5. Any non-musical influences you would like to mention?
Feelings that are difficult to control

6. If your music was to be the theme of a film/TV show, what would it be?
A sitcom about totally normal people but the main character conceives everything in a sort of a day-dreamy side dimension. The show would go back and forth between inner and outer conception of the same situations.

7. What musician/artist would you like to collaborate with for a day?
Högni Egilsson, singer and songwriter, member of Icelandic band called Hjaltalín.

8. What is the album you listen to on a cold rainy day?
Will Oldham, Master and Everyone

9. List four songs you would listen to on a road trip
Baby blue performed by Van Morrison; Susanne performed by Nina Simone; Se telefonando with Mina, arranged by Ennio Morrecone and Bonnie and Clyde by Serge Gainsbourg.

10. Where do you see yourselves in 7 years?
Writing, recording and performing music.

11. What is the last book you read?
Proust was a neuroscientist, by Jonah Lehrer

12. Is image a factor in music or is it a waste of time?
It depends on the artist. Sometimes the two are very closely connected, sometimes not. It’s something that I´m not very interested in myself but it can be fun to look into such things with other people who are good at it.

13. Any embarrassing moments on stage you would like to share?
They are so many that I wouldn’t know which one to pick. Worst ones from the teenage years as I used to be so nervous back then. I think that’s over now as I seem to be able to stay in good spirits no matter what happens, knock on wood…

14. Any favorite tour locations?
Porto in Portugal. I played there once with múm and have been wanting to go back ever since…Such a beautiful place. My friend Tinna Ottesen is also designing and building a floating stage that will be transportable between different harbours. You can check it out here- http://tinnaottesen.blogspot.com/. I´d love to try that one out when its ready.

15. Lastly, what is your present state of mind?
Getting stuff done before Christmas

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[mp3] Ólöf Arnalds – Klara from Við og við (2010)

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[mp3] Retro Stefson – Papa Paulo III from Montaña (2008)

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