When you find out about an artist from Iceland, it's usually the case that even before you've set ears on them, you somehow know that they're going to be forward thinking, somewhat leftfield, and most importantly, aurally pleasing. Be it Kira Kira, Múm or For a Minor Reflection, Iceland has something for every music fan, and a truckload for the particularly avid music fan.
From such a small, largely uninhabited island comes music of unfathomable enormity. And one man continuing the island's lasting tradition of thought provoking music is Ólafur Arnalds. Combining the elegance and beauty of classical music with the power and innovation of more contemporary styles, Ólafur has managed to create a wonderful array of neoclassical pieces. Some verging on the sound of post-rock, others perhaps more akin to experimental electronic music. But whatever he makes, it pretty much always sounds good.
Since his 2007 debut album, Eulogy for Evolution Arnalds has been writing this emotionally charged strain of delicately composed music peppered with moody leitmotifs, subtle electronic loops and grand crescendos that when listened to has the power to transform you from feeling fragile and forlorn to utterly euphoric. All within the bounds of a single song.
We managed to bag an interview with the Nordic composer to ask him about how things are going having released his 2010 album "...and they have escaped the weight of darkness" last May.

Now, i've noticed that you don't have a beard Ólafur, is this because you aren't a fan of facial hair, or is it just not your look?

I'm a big fan of the 3 day beard. So i only shave every 5 days. 

Your pieces have a very cinematic quality to them, where do you start with when writing writing songs that are so grandois and emotionally moving? Do they take a long time or are you one of these lucky people who can whisk up a tune very quickly?

It depends... big arrangements often take a long time but the basic idea for the song often just comes instantly. One of my favorite songs i wrote in less than 10 minutes, while others i have written in many days... Just depends on the nature of the song i guess. 

Which artists have influenced you the most throughout your life?

I guess some of the classical ones like Arvo Part, Chopin, Bach... 

There seems to be an incredible amount of good music that has come from Iceland, why do you think with it being such a small country, it has managed to produce such a great amount of interesting musicians?

Maybe just because of the fact that it is small. There is not much else to do so people are inclined to start making art. The scene is also very small so people are very supportive and encouraging to each other. 

What do you find to be the most rewarding part of being a musician?

Playing live and seeing with my own eyes how people are reacting to it. Knowing you are somehow connecting to someone else with this. 

Having toured your music across the globe, has there been any one place that has really stood out for you at all?

I think South-Korea was probably the most fun. It was just so different, everything about it. I mean, a lot of places are 'different' from what I am used to, especially in Asia, but South-Korea is just surreal... In an awesome way!

So, other than releasing one of the best albums of 2010 and touring it a little bit, what else did you get up to over the year?

I soundtracked a couple of films (Jitters (iceland) and Another Happy Day), i did one contemporary dance piece with the Icelandic National Dance Company, I worked as a producer for an Icelandic pop group... hmm.. or did you mean something not music related? In which case the answer is Nothing.

2010 has been a remarkably good year for music, are there any particular albums you've enjoyed over the past 12 months?

I think The National - High Violet is probably my favorite of the year. 

Have you any tip offs for any new bands you think are going to be gracing our stereos and dominating the music media in 2011?

I'm always 2 years behind on new bands, so i'd be happy to tell you which band was popular last year...

Finally, if the world was to end tomorrow, and you could tell our readers to go out and do one final thing, what would it be?

Does it matter? they'll be dead tomorrow. Everything that ever happened will be insignificant. 
 

Not the most optimistic end to an interview there Ólafur, but never the less an interestingly nihilistic approach to the question.
Currently touring the US Ólafur will be back in the UK on the 7th of February for a one off performance in London at the Tabernacle, if you can get to it you'll be in for a mind blowing show without a doubt!