One of the major benefits of Austin's annual South By Southwest confab is its ability to draw worthy artists from around the globe, put them in close quarters, and offer up significant exposure to a vast, international audience.
And for many, that may mean being introduced to Iceland's Ólöf Arnalds.
A singer, songwriter, and skilled instrumentalist, Arnalds is an intensely creative performer with a bewitching voice and an amply evident sense of humor. Her two albums--2007's Við Og Við and her recent Innundir Skinni--are daring, folksy and avant-garde, often at the same time, and reveal her to be a creative spirit with vast artistic potential.
To get a sense of Arnalds' creativity, check out the following musical video piece--"Eins Og Sagt Er" ("As They Say")--she prepared a few years back as a graduation project from the Icelandic Art Academy's music department. We suspect you will find it mind-blowing.
But back in Austin, Y! Music immensely enjoyed our recent time with Ólöf--in which she performed two songs, one of which was a no less than a Neil Diamond cover--and gave one of the most charming interviews we've yet to be granted.
See for yourself.