Opening a portal linking past and present, connecting my Icelandic ancestors songs and stories through analog and digital means, which expands my creative reality.
My compositions, visuals and performances integrate cello, voice, Icelandic song and story samples, digital production, electronic software instruments and effects, as well as archival and original video footage.
"Abundance" relates to the fool in the Tarot. In addition to relating to Ásgardur and human aspiration, the first part of the song also connects to Álfheimur, the World of the Light Elves of the Yggdrasil, “a magical place of light and hope, visions and ambition”, and the second part, the darker minor section relates to Svartálfaheimur, the world of the dark elves, the past and the subconsciousness. “The worlds and beings of the dark elves, light elves, and dwarfs are all interrelated and sometimes the borders between them are not altogether clear”.
Lyrics:
Embark on a path, that brings abundance
Ever-flowing harmony
Effortless mastery, notes between notes, rolling through the body
You broke your chance you went so silent, it wouldn’t have grown back, breaking the truce
They make mistakes over, they must be seen in the wilderness
That’s the most you can do,
Drowning with indecision, drowning with all your might, going up to you
My vulnerabilities’ your bait, the bait you use to capture me with
"Nouvelles Roses" is about past lives, and finding your way back to people from your past. The Icelandic poem “Þrek og tár” by Guðmundur Guðmundsson, sung by Ingibjorg Gudmunsdottir weaved through this song is about two friends who knew each other when they were young, and they find each other. Original lyrics reflect the themes of ancient Icelandic poetry.
Lyrics:
Send your love this way, count the stars on your face
Press your face onto mine, once you’re free of me, send your love this way
But you’re safe put your head on me, but you’re safe put your head on me
You couldn’t see that way
Press your face onto mine, push yr feet in the ground, once yr free of me… Send yr love this way
La Fôret Invisible (The Invisible Forest)
In Iceland, there are invisible people called Huldufólk, as well as elves, who live in the stones. The songs in "La Fôret Invisible" connect to the theme of invisibility, and things that are hidden coming to light. Images of stones re-occur throughout the different sections.
Sleep Darling:
Themes around letting go to allow for transformation. “Water is related to the west, the direction of sunsets and twilight and saying “so long”.” The symbology of the Lagarfljót Worms or Sea creatures in the work’s final movement creates a portal to new worlds after releasing what we were holding onto.
The first song "Once in a Lifetime", reflects the story of walking up to the top of the waterfall while a dialogue occurs with what is about to be sacrificed, a part of the self, something you are afraid of that you need to let go. The Hike, the stage in the hero's journey where you start to have doubts about your idea or journey that was started, comes to its first obstacle that has to be pushed through.
You see yourself in those eyes, you cannot hide.
Once in a lifetime x2
Set your table for her
You will sleep when you let go
When you seek solace
Find you let them see, you seek the Strongest tide
When you seek them, they will hear you
Wish it seamlessly, brace yourself, couldn’t be sooner
Lyrics:
Do you need to be here, would you stay still
Would you be on time, would you still be here
Would you stay for sure, would you be mine
Would you be still here, would you be mine
could you stay still would you be mine
Stay still could you be friends with me
Could you be, could you be.
Water creatures symbolize new, fresh energy, how once we let go, new worlds await us, while water symbolizes emotions. Elements from these stories or myths are transmuted and re-imagined by sampling recordings of the Icelandic Folk song while creating new sounds, and lyrics using a “magic writing” technique.
Recordings of the Icelandic folk song Sofðu Unga Ástin Mín by playwright and poet Jóhann Sigurjónsson (1880-1919) were recorded with a string ensemble, and sampled to create new sounds. Mythology is remixed, drawing elements to recreate them anew.
Lyrics: "It’s soon to be wished away"