“Shit. I mean, wow. Where to begin? Can mere words even do justice to the emotion Árstíðir evoke?” Louise Petersson, The Reykjavík Grapvine

Árstíðir is a vocal‐based indie band from Reykjavík with a sound unique to the Icelandic music scene. All six members are distinguished players known from various bands in the Reykjavík soundscape. Over the two and a half years since Árstíðir’s formation the band has released two records praised by trendsetting music critics, had two number‐one hits on Icelandic radio, made several TV appearances in Iceland, Sweden, Russia and the Czech Republic, and played sold out venues all over Europe.

Aside from their trademark vocal harmonies, it is Árstíðir’s instrumentation that set them apart, effusing a warm tide of resonant acoustic and baritone guitars, virtuosic piano, and melismatic strings. The result is an unusually wide sound spectrum, further emphasized by the impressive vocal range of all six members. Consequently, Árstíðir’s music is a rare composition of the clear‐cut and the complex. Their songs are easy to fall in love with yet mixed with diverse influences such as , indie, classical chambermusic, and Icelandic .

In the wake of releasing their second full length album “Svefns og vöku skil”, Árstíðir have just finished yet another highly acclaimed tour across Central Europe and European Russia. The album was recorded in legendary Icelandic studio Hljóðriti with Ólafur Arnalds as producer.

BAND MEMBERS Daníel Auðunsson ‐ Guitar & vocals Gunnar Már Jakobsson ‐ Guitar & vocals Ragnar Ólafsson ‐ Baritone guitar & vocals Hallgrímur Jónas Jensson ‐ Cello & vocals Jón Elísson ‐ Piano & vocals Karl Aldinsteinn Pestka ‐ Violin & vocals

DISCOGRAPHY Svefns og vöku skil (Nivalis, 2011) Árstíðir (Nivalis, 2009 and Adore Music/Border, 2010) Live at Fríkirkjan EP (Nivalis, 2008)

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Record company: Nivalis Ltd., [email protected] • General manager and worldwide booking agent: Maria Chelnokova, [email protected], +7 916 9227376 • Central Europe booking agent: Solis Art, [email protected], +42 072 5610230 • PR & media management: Linda Iliste, [email protected], +46 737249130

www.arstidir.com www.myspace.com/arstidir THE MUSIC PRESS ON ÁRSTÍÐIR

“Árstíðir is similar to some other Icelandic bands in that they sound big and orchestral like Sigur Rós and, like Ólöf Arnalds, they strike that magic balance between intimacy and mystery.” Beverly Bryan ‐ MTV Iggy

“If you think that Iceland is only Björk and Sigur Rós, listen to Árstíðir!” Michal Loska ‐ Magnetoffon, Russia

"Árstíðir is Iceland's latest export success." Ulrich Joosten, Folker Magazine, Germany

“The delivery is mesmeric.” Mark Muggeridge, Record of the Day, UK

“Árstíðir’s debut album is full of refined acoustic folk pop with delightful singing. It’s beautiful and atmospheric, and every so often the arrangements are striking.” Rolf Bernskiöld, LIRA, Sweden

“A really beautiful album, and musically Árstíðir is a really good band.” Andrea Jónsdóttir, Popland, Iceland

“Árstíðir’s sleek melodies sound just as dreamlike as Iceland’s gushing geysers, grinding glaciers and hot springs appear.” Salad Days, Italy

“Shit. I mean, wow. Where to begin? Can mere words even do justice to the emotion Árstíðir evoked during two too short hours at Fríkirkjan? I don’t know if it’s the church thing, but seriously – this evening may in fact be the closest I have ever come to worship.” Louise Petersson, The Reykjavík Grapvine, Iceland

“Even though many of the songs are in a language we don’t understand, the fragile beauty of their music and the harmony of it speaks to every soul.” Elena Savitskaya, IN ROCK, Russia

“Each of their songs, whether it's a poignant or the troubling Kill Us which sounds surprisingly brutal when performed live, penetrates the depths of the soul. Árstíðir’s music sends you on an amazing journey from which you return astonished and full of gratitude.” Michael Lazutkin, Zvuki, Russia