Svavar Knútur

Svavar Knútur is the stage name of Icelandic singer-songwriter Svavar Knútur Kristinsson, from the Westfjords.[1] He sings in Icelandic language and English,[2] Svavar Knútur collaborated with Czech singer-songwriter Markéta Irglová on his album Ölduslóð (way of waves). Svavar Knútur has in recent years toured extensively around Europe as well as doing some touring of Australia and North America. Svavar Knútur is one of the founding members and curators of the Melodica festival, curating the Reykjavík branch of the festival.

Svavar Knútur at the Acoustic Lakeside Festival 2017

“Svavar Knútur will drag you to hell and bring you back laughing." - Pete Uhlenbruch

Anyone who has already been able to experience a performance by Icelandic Troubadour Svavar Knútur will remember it for a long time. His performances are an emotional rollercoaster ride between tear-weeping and laughing. He takes you into his spell and won´t let you go so quickly.

Svavar Knútur’s performances have been widely praised, in both the Icelandic and the international press. The German edition of Rolling Stone noted Svavar’s exceptional storytelling, charismatic stage presence and his “soft cotton, nordic folk reverie”. Brisbane’s Rave magazine also described the young troubadour as having “swoon-worthy vocals” complimenting the “beautiful simplicity and raw emotion of his songs”.

Svavar’s live performances are usually a mixture of song and story. On stage, he presents spellbinding and magnetic shows - beckoning the audience along with him on a journey through misery and redemption. However, Knútur always ensures his fans have comedic stops along the way. All the while, he maintains his creative goal of emotional healing and catharsis. “There is always a subtle sense of humor and hope in my lyrics.” In recent years, he has extensively toured Australia, the US, Canada, UK and Europe, playing over one-hundred live concerts per year.

Musical Style

Svavar Knútur leaves emotive imprints of love, tragedy, sadness, and redemption in his art. His eclectic meld of indie folk/rock often reflects the theme of man against nature. His stylistic soundscapes emanate from first-hand experiences in the harsh conditions of his homeland. Influenced by such songwriters as Nick Drake, Kris Kristofferson and Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Svavar has developed his own style.

In part, Svavar owes his musical evolution to supportive parents, whose ambition was for their children to play and enjoy music. Svavar offers, “The Muppet Show album and Bob Marley’s release of Legend were my earliest real musical inspirations.” In later years, he began to respect the works of legends such as Kris Kristofferson, Annie Lennox, Joni Mitchell, Daniel Johnston and Nick Cave. Also, Svavar thrives on the styles of classical masters like Brahms and Fauré, and many other modern songwriters.

A multi-instrumentalist, Svavar incorporates the guitar, ukulele, charango, piano, accordion - as well as many other instruments - into his compositions. He skillfully melds his vocal skills and fingerpicking in an uncanny and playful way. With his bilingual lyrics, Svavar can tap into many cultures, finding inspiration in the linguistic differences. He explains, “I believe in oneness and striving for an inclusive, collective body between artist and audience. I hate when an artist sits on some mysterious pedestal and performs.”

Album History

Svavar is a great believer in simplicity within his art. This minimalistic approach shines through his various artistic works. Svavar has released four solo albums beginning in 2009 with Kvöldvaka (Songs by the Fire.) In 2010, he presented Amma (Songs for my Grandmother,) and in 2012 his Ölduslóð (Way of Waves.) Together, Svavar’s previous releases received critical acclaim and success - winning over a multitude of new fans.

In 2015 “Brot (The Breaking)” was released on which there is a feeling of him onto new shores and new beginnings. He expounds, “I’ve learned along the way that if life isn't hurting, you're doing it wrong." Across all of these works, there exists an intuitive progression and evolution within Svavar’s songwriting. His albums deeply connect to life and the human condition.

Svavar´s latest album is “Ahoy! Side A”, which was released via Dimma and Nordic Notes in September 2018. A story of new beginnings and the challenges of a new world. It contains five new songs and four "Repaintings" of older songs, that Svavar had always hoped to revisit in his work. A band-heavy album, it presents a new side of Svavar Knútur's art.


Notable festivals

Svavar Knútur has played:

SXSW in Austin TX, USA

NXNE in Toronto ON, Canada

Nurnberg Pop in Nürnberg, Germany

Waves Vienna in Vienna, Austria

Iceland Airwaves in Reykjavík Iceland

Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany

Bardentreffen in Nürnberg, Germany

Immergut Festival in Neustrelitz, Germany

Acoustic Lakeside Festival in Austria

Venner Folk Frühling in Venne, Germany

Discography

  • Kvöldvaka (Songs by the fire) (2009)
  • Amma (Songs for my Grandmother) (2010)
  • Ölduslóð (Way of Waves) (2012)
  • Songs of Weltschmerz, Waldeinsamkeit and Wanderlust EP (2015)
  • Brot (The Breaking) (2015)
  • My Goodbye Lovelies (2017)
  • AHOY! SIDE A (2018)

References

  1. ↑ Van Hooste, Wim (30 Sep 2012). "Svavar Knútur "Ölduslóð"". Icelandic Music Review. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  2. ↑ Gunnarsson, Valur (28 Feb 2013). "Svavar Knútur: Ölduslóð". The Reykjavík Grapevine. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
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