Arstidir

Hardly anyone in the audience knew Arstidir beforehand, yet by the end of the evening they were clapping and cheering and stomping their feet so hard the floor was shaking – literally /.../ When the last note rang out, I felt at peace with the world and smiling. - Stephanie Oepen, Stalker.cd (DE)

“In fact this sextet is more akin to a well-arranged chamber orchestra with 70's folk songwriters like Simon & Garfunkel or Cat Stevens (or Jose Gonzales to use a more contemporary reference) whispering in the wings while Michael Nymanconducts Rachels and Penguin Cafe Orchestra at center stage” - MusicZeitgeist

I really can not pronounce their name and I just do not understand one word of what they are singing about, but I do love the heavenly sound of their music and their vocal harmonies. With the hype about contemporary Icelandic performers in Europe, "Arstidir" might soon become a big act in our region. - Rootstime (Belgium)

I really can not pronounce their name and I just do not understand one word of what they are singing about, but I do love the heavenly sound of their music and their vocal harmonies. With the hype about contemporary Icelandic performers in Europe, "Arstidir" might soon become a big act in our region. - Rootstime (Belgium)

Most striking are the delicate and never obtrusive vocal arrangements, often accompanied by spotted piano sounds, acoustic guitar and the excellent strings. Chance is up trumps in mood somewhat stronger when seem to creep seemingly rock elements - you can hear in this context in "Shades."
The effects seem to be strongly influenced by Icelandic folklore, and classical music shimmers to some extent through again and again. This was treated with modern elements, very accessible... - Rocktimes.de (Germany)

Arstidir represents a very distinct musical world. In fact, their music mixes overseas and Icelandic indie music melodies. The result is - melancholy mood, but with unique flavor. The beauty of the human voice and musical harmony meet each other on this album. - Gondola (Hungary)

“Many of their songs have hit potential. Their broad sound spectrum retains the qualities of an acoustic album, thanks to the six voices and the careful instrumentation. Check out their “Days & Nights”.” Album rating: 8/10. - Hoererlebnis (Germany)

“Many of their songs have hit potential. Their broad sound spectrum retains the qualities of an acoustic album, thanks to the six voices and the careful instrumentation. Check out their “Days & Nights”.” Album rating: 8/10. - Hoererlebnis (Germany)

If you think that Iceland is only Björk and Sigur Rós, listen to Árstíðir! - Michal Loska, Magnetoffon (PL)

If you think that Iceland is only Björk and Sigur Rós, listen to Árstíðir! - Michal Loska, Magnetoffon (PL)

“Listening through the entire CD you can lean back and enjoy the music, let your thoughts wander and relax. This is really something for those who enjoy Nordic music. - Sound and Image (Germany)

“Árstíðir, which translates to “Seasons”, simply make beautiful music, movingly beautiful.” Rating: 12/15 - Noisy Neighbours (Germany)

Árstíðir sound graceful and beautiful, thanks to their varied and perfectly harmonizing voices and strings. - Glitterhouse (Germany)

What's nice is case of Arstidir - is that it does not divide their art pieces for a serious and popular. It's a tradition of old songs, it's also the tradition of classic parlor associated here with the pop ballad, the early music but also some surprisingly modern-sounding, almost from the future.
The music as simple as shaking hands. Goes straight to the heart. - Polskie Radio, Wojciech Ossowski blog (PL)

This album is distinguished by the fact that it is purely organic, no visible trace of modernity is corrupting the impression that time has no authority over the work.
After the first effects of choirs - the latter appearing of an acoustic arrangement or a scathing attack of progressive metal, with nervousness and controlled power that entails. In the end, thanks to Arstidir for attracting sympathy, beyond an undeniable writing talent, this ability to foster imagination and invent atmospheres. - Music waves (France)

This album is distinguished by the fact that it is purely organic, no visible trace of modernity is corrupting the impression that time has no authority over the work.
After the first effects of choirs - the latter appearing of an acoustic arrangement or a scathing attack of progressive metal, with nervousness and controlled power that entails. In the end, thanks to Arstidir for attracting sympathy, beyond an undeniable writing talent, this ability to foster imagination and invent atmospheres. - Music waves (France)

“As soon as you hear the first bars of the opening “Ljóð í sand” you cannot but be fascinated by this music. The album “Svefns og Vöku Skil” is a gem that people should not miss. Valuable and highly recommended.” 20/20 - Musik An Sich (Germany)

Nya släppet “Svefns Og Vöku Skil” innehåller tolv spår. Sedan förra plattan har man fokuserat mer på arrangemangen och mixningen av musiken. Musiken är intensivt drömmande och det är lätt att bli nästan fast i Árstíðirs musikaliska värld. Vackert så det förslår. - IKON ( SE)

From the first sounds it's obvious - Arstidir is the best gift of this autumn. You just sit in the hall, listen and dream "I wish it would never stop". - Republica (internet issue) - RUS, Karelian Republic

From the first sounds it's obvious - Arstidir is the best gift of this autumn. You just sit in the hall, listen and dream "I wish it would never stop". - Republica (internet issue) - RUS, Karelian Republic

Live interview ( translated into Russian) - In Rock Magazine (RUS) - printed issue

Listening to them alive, there is a unique opportunity to trace the delicate work of these masters, to feel how the music is being born right at your eyes. Those musicians don't send any message, don't declare any special meaning, don't pretend that they are "cool musicians on a cool stage", they just ... sing. More over, they ARE this singing. - In Rock Magazine (RUS) - printed issue

These violins create a dreamy, sometimes symphonic sound, harmony vocals fits in seamlessly, beautiful arrangements with the magic, sound totally dreamy. - Real Roots cafe (NL)

Árstíðir

Isländische Harmonie durch alle Jahreszeiten
TEXT: ULRICH JOOSTEN

Aus Island kommt nicht nur Asche. Der zweitgrößte Inselstaat Europas ist bekannt für die wilde Schönheit seiner Naturwunder, der Gletscher, Geysire, Wasserfälle und aktiven Vulkane. Musik und Kultur blühen in Reykjavík, der nördlichsten Hauptstadt der Welt, in einer vitalen und kreativen Klub- und Kneipenszene, inspiriert von der internationalen Popmusik, aber zunehmend auch von der eigenen, isländischen Volkskultur. Spätestens seit Sigur Rós oder der Sängerin Björk weiß man, dass die Insel immer wieder auch international erfolgreiche Künstler hervorbringt.

„Deutschland und Árstíðir – das könnte eine glückliche Verbindung werden!“

Árstíðir (isl. „Jahreszeiten“) heißt Islands jüngster Exportschlager. Ihre Erfolgsformel: drei akustische Gitarren, Cello, Violine und Piano – und dazu ausgefuchste sechsstimmige Vokalharmonien. Die heimische Natur und das Wetter spielen in den melancholischen Liedern des Folkpopsextetts eine zentrale Rolle. „Die Jahreszeiten in Island lösen Emotionen aus, die in unsere Texte einfließen“, sagt Sänger und Gitarrist Ragnar Ólafsson. „Und diese Gefühle finden ihren Nachhall in den Arrangements unserer Musik.“

Es lässt sich nicht eindeutig feststellen, welche Einflüsse Árstíðirs Sound prägen. Zu unterschiedlich sind die individuellen musikalischen Biografien der einzelnen Bandmitglieder. „Wenn wir zusammen spielen versuchen wir einfach, schöne Musik zu schaffen. So gesehen ist ‚Schönheit‘ ein Haupteinfluss für unsere Musik“, meint Ólafsson. - Folker magazine (German)

Shit. I mean, wow. Where to begin? Can mere words even do justice to the emotion Árstíðir evoked during two too short hours at Fríkirkjan?

They master their instruments and their powerful harmonies sound almost like a full blown choir at times. And I mean, who doesn’t love some string action?

I don’t know if it’s the church thing, but seriously—this evening may in fact be the closest I have ever come to worship. - Louise Petersson, The Reykjavík Grapevine

Shit. I mean, wow. Where to begin? Can mere words even do justice to the emotion Árstíðir evoked during two too short hours at Fríkirkjan?

They master their instruments and their powerful harmonies sound almost like a full blown choir at times. And I mean, who doesn’t love some string action?

I don’t know if it’s the church thing, but seriously—this evening may in fact be the closest I have ever come to worship. - Louise Petersson, The Reykjavík Grapevine

There is something at once familiar and enchantingly strange about Reykjavik chamber folk band Árstíðir. (Pronounce it a bit like our-stee-der.) Maybe it’s got to do with the smooth way they combine classical and Icelandic folk influences.

Something about it tugs at you. Did you hear it in a dream? Did you hear something like it when you were very small? Árstíðir is similar to some other Icelandic bands in that they sound big and orchestral like Sigur Ros and, like Ölöf Arnalds, they strike that magic balance between intimacy and mystery. But beside those comparisons, the sextet is, if not utterly unique, at least very uncommon.

Among their uncommon attributes are uncommonly perfect vocal harmonies and uncommonly haunting melodies. Here, in this video, you can watch them perform in an uncommonly beautiful setting, the Fríkirkjan church in Reykjavik. It’ll make you want to pull on a bulky sweater and slide into a seat in the audience. Or make you feel like you already have. Either way, it will probably leave you craving a real Icelandic getaway. If you can’t afford one, you can at least grab the live EP they made from that concert. Or even get their self-titled debut LP.

See why Árstíðir could be good for tourism: - Beverly Bryan, MTV Iggy

There is something at once familiar and enchantingly strange about Reykjavik chamber folk band Árstíðir. (Pronounce it a bit like our-stee-der.) Maybe it’s got to do with the smooth way they combine classical and Icelandic folk influences.

Something about it tugs at you. Did you hear it in a dream? Did you hear something like it when you were very small? Árstíðir is similar to some other Icelandic bands in that they sound big and orchestral like Sigur Ros and, like Ölöf Arnalds, they strike that magic balance between intimacy and mystery. But beside those comparisons, the sextet is, if not utterly unique, at least very uncommon.

Among their uncommon attributes are uncommonly perfect vocal harmonies and uncommonly haunting melodies. Here, in this video, you can watch them perform in an uncommonly beautiful setting, the Fríkirkjan church in Reykjavik. It’ll make you want to pull on a bulky sweater and slide into a seat in the audience. Or make you feel like you already have. Either way, it will probably leave you craving a real Icelandic getaway. If you can’t afford one, you can at least grab the live EP they made from that concert. Or even get their self-titled debut LP.

See why Árstíðir could be good for tourism: - Beverly Bryan, MTV Iggy

Even though many of the songs are in a language we don’t understand, the fragile beauty of their music and the harmony of it speaks to every soul. - Elena Savitskaya, IN ROCK

Even though many of the songs are in a language we don’t understand, the fragile beauty of their music and the harmony of it speaks to every soul. - Elena Savitskaya, IN ROCK

Each of their songs, whether it's a poignant ballad or the troubling Kill Us which sounds surprisingly brutal when performed live, penetrates the depths of the soul. Árstíðir’s music sends you on an amazing journey from which you return astonished and full of gratitude. - Michael Lazutkin, Zvuki

Each of their songs, whether it's a poignant ballad or the troubling Kill Us which sounds surprisingly brutal when performed live, penetrates the depths of the soul. Árstíðir’s music sends you on an amazing journey from which you return astonished and full of gratitude. - Michael Lazutkin, Zvuki