Collection 4 THE NORTH

Ólöf
Arnalds
Ólöf Arnalds is an Icelandic singer and
multi-instrumentalist whose sound first
captured me when I heard her track “Surrender”
featuring the vocal of Björk. As
a classically trained musician (with the
violin, viola and self-taught on guitar and
charango) I still think that her most distinctive
asset is definitely her voice – it has
the most intriguing ‘otherworldly’ quality
which I feel captures the spirit of her native
Iceland perfectly. We had a little chat
with her this winter to find out the inspirations
behind her brilliant new album,
“Sudden Elevation” due for release this
February. It’s a sensitive, intimate collection
of tracks that take you on a winding
journey through the private and endearing
world Ólöf paints with her songwriting. A
true gem.
www.olofarnalds.com
Interview by Amy Heaton
KALTBLUT: Hey Ólöf! We’re very excited to be featuring you
in our new issue. I’ve been listening avidly to your new record,
“Sudden Elevation”, it is a truly beautiful collection of songs,
are you pleased with how the album has turned out?
ÓLÖF: Hey! I’m very pleased with the outcome. Skúli and I
worked very carefully on every detail and I really feel like I’ve put
all of my heart into the record.
KALTBLUT: So what is your composition process like, are you
writing all the parts yourself or did you work with other musicians
for the album?
ÓLÖF: For this album the majority of the parts are written and in
fact played by me. The producer, Skúli Sverrisson writes and plays
his bass-lines as well as some electric guitars.
KALTBLUT: I can imagine you recording your album somewhere
quiet and out amongst nature, I’m sure this probably
wasn’t the case! How did you actually go about it?
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ÓLÖF: Actually this was the case, so thumbs up to imagination! We
recorded it in a wooden cabin by the sea in Hvalfjörður and had very
little connection with the outer world. There was a fire place and every
day I had the task of lighting it and maintaining the fire, which was
sort of symbolic for keeping the fire of the creativity alive.
KALTBLUT: Your songs are so simple and patient – do you feel
you are putting a lot of your own personality into your music?
ÓLÖF: I think my music is highly personal. The composition have
often been in my mind for years and when I feel ready, I turn them
into recorded songs. The lyrics are all about very intimate things in my
life as well.
KALTBLUT: There is a kind of melancholic atmosphere through
the album, do you find yourself falling into that kind of wistful
world when you’re composing?
ÓLÖF: Not always. But for this record for sure. I have a feeling that
my next one will be more cheerful.
KALTBLUT: Your vocal style is very unique, have you always had a
similar way to sing or is it something you’ve developed over time?
ÓLÖF: It’s hard to say. The voice is a bit like a living creature. It evolves
with the person. I’ve never been very deliberate in developing my
voice and I like to use it differently in different songs.
KALTBLUT: I’m sure many producers have asked you to collaborate
with them or if they can remix your songs, did you ever think
about going down that road?
ÓLÖF: I’m a bit difficult when it comes to new collaborations, because
I find making music together with someone a very serious and intimate
thing. I like it when new musical relationships are born out of inspiration,
friendship and dedication. Although I’m very open to using all
aspects of my voice and developing further varieties in tone and character,
and doing so with other people‘s compositions is a very good ground
for this kind of work.. I am more sensitive to being truthful to my voice
when I sing my own songs. Therefore I’ve been reluctant to work with
people I don’t know. Especially when it comes to my voice.
KALTBLUT: Do you often relate back to your classical background
when you’re writing music now or do you have other inspirations?
It feels like there is also some folk-lore inspiration running
through your songs?
ÓLÖF: I think that the classical background always sneaks into my
compositions through, for example.. chord structure. I’m drawn to folklore
inspirations but when creating songs I feel that the process is very
intuitive as well as my overall approach to music.
KALTBLUT: So your first instrument is violin (mine too!), did you
find it a natural progression to take up the other instruments you
later pursued?
ÓLÖF: Although the violin is a brutally difficult beginners instrument
(I assume that you have suffered like me!), it is a great instrument for
developing a strong ear for pitch and texture. I think this has probably
made it easier for me to become self taught on another stringed instrument.
KALTBLUT: The Icelandic language really fits to your vocal style,
I think when I hear it spoken it can be like birds singing! What
made you decide to write your lyrics in English for the new album,
as opposed to your native language?