The Reykjavík Grapevine Music Awards 2023 pt 2

I’m a bit late posting this but I was just so moved by receiving the ‘you should have heard this’ award in January. This was determined by a panel of expert music lovers assembled to review the highlights of the last year in Icelandic music.

The Panel said: “There’s a neo-classical movement sweeping Iceland these days. And yet, for every Grammy-nominated, internationally touring Ólafur Arnalds, there’s a Sævar Jóhannsson: quietly putting out beautiful music, but only receiving a fraction of the glory. For now, that is — we think he has a bright future ahead of him. 2022’s ‘Whenever You’re Ready’ is a sparse, emotional and hauntingly beautiful collection of instrumental pieces. The title is apt — it’s as if he’s acknowledging himself that you might not know him yet, but whenever you’re ready: he’s there for you to discover. His mastery of his craft is sure to bring his name to the forefront of the world of Icelandic composers in years to come.”

The panel comprised:

Josie Anne Gaitens

Ása Dýradóttir

Hrefna (Habbi) Helgadóttir

Ægir Sindri Bjarnason