Gyda Valtysdottir, Kjartan Sveinsson And Friends

/ Jessica Adams
Gyda Valtysdottir, Kjartan Sveinsson And Friends

Gyda Valtysdottir, Kjartan Sveinsson and friends at the Domus Dela Kapel in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

Gyda Valtysdottir founded the experimental pop group Múm in the late 1990s and worked with bands such as Efterklang, The Nationals and Damien Rice. Composer and musician Kjartan Sveinsson was a keyboardist for the Icelandic band Sigur Rós for many years. Kjartan and Gyda met Indré Jurgelevičiūté, Bert Cools and Shahzad Ismaily for the first time at Berlin’s PEOPLE festival and were inspired by the festival’s magical energy.

The music is presented in a unique way. Not as a band, but as individuals who support each other. By combining their solo work and written compositions, they create music in which everyone’s powerful identity can be found.

Gyda Valtysdottir has been active as a musician since her early teens, is classically trained and has made music for films, installations, dance, and many other creative initiatives.

Kjartan Sveinsson first came to the fore as a member of the Icelandic band Sigur Rós, of which he was a member from 1997 to 2012. He released five studio albums, a film and a large number of side projects with the band.

Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė is a Lithuanian Kankle player and singer, whose music harmoniously combines the traditions of her native country and the sounds of different cultures and contemporary styles. Shahzad Ismaily is a composer and musician who has largely learned the trade himself and has collaborated with Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson and Tom Waits, among others. Bert Cools is a guitarist and sound artist from Antwerp mainly active in the improvisation and electronic music scene in Europe.

Gyda Valtysdóttir, Kjartan Sveinsson and friends at PEOPLE festival Berlin 2018

The PEOPLE festival was held on August 18th & 19th, 2018 at the historic Funkhaus in Berlin (if you feel like visiting Berlin check out these 9 reasons why to use Airbnb instead of a hotel). Over 150 artists gathered at Funkhaus and the Michelberger Hotel to collaborate and compose new work. This culminated with public performances across seven stages and a maze of studios in the former East German Republic radio and recording headquarters.

Jessica Adams
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