Ólafur Arnalds

Ólafur Arnalds is an Icelandic multi-instrumentalist and producer from Mosfellsbær, Iceland, born in 1986. He works across ambient, avant-garde, classical, classical crossover, contemporary classical and dance, with music that also draws on post-rock, pop and electronica.

Background and early work

He begins as a drummer in several hardcore and metal bands before moving into composition. One of his early commissions is to write instrumental intros and outros for Antigone by German metal band Heaven Shall Burn. That work leads him towards neo-classical music built around strings and piano, and to the release of his debut album Eulogy for Evolution in 2007.

He then develops a partnership with the Berlin label Erased Tapes. His 2007 debut establishes him internationally and his later work continues to combine classical writing with ambient and electronic elements.

Solo releases and projects

In 2009 he creates a week-long project of writing one track per day and making each piece available online. The collection is later released as Found Songs. He repeats the same approach in 2011 with Living Room Songs.

His second full-length album, ...And They Have Escaped The Weight Of Darkness, appears in 2010. In 2013 he releases For Now I Am Winter through Mercury Classics, with a full orchestra and vocals for the first time in his recorded work. The album includes vocals from Icelandic singer Arnór Dan on four tracks.

Collaborations, touring and other work

In 2008 he tours with Sigur Rós. He also composes for dance and film: Dyad 1909, a ballet choreographed by Wayne McGregor and performed by Wayne McGregor Random Dance, premieres with his score in 2009. The ballet takes its inspiration from Ernest Shackleton’s Nimrod Expedition to the South Pole in 1909.

He later writes his first Hollywood film score for Another Happy Day. His music also appears in The Hunger Games, and he is featured several times on So You Think You Can Dance. In 2013 he composes for the ITV thriller series Broadchurch, starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman, and for the film Gimme Shelter, directed by Ron Krauss and starring Vanessa Hudgens and Brendan Fraser. His score for Broadchurch wins the BAFTA Television Craft Award in 2014.

Groups and associated acts

Arnalds forms Kiasmos in 2009 with Janus Rasmussen. Kiasmos is a minimal techno project whose debut album appears in 2014, following the Thrown EP. He is also associated with SAGES and Fighting Shit.

Labels and family

His recorded work includes releases on OPIA Community and Pastel Music, as well as earlier ties with Erased Tapes and Mercury Classics. He is a cousin of singer Ólöf Arnalds.