Nóra
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland | SELF
Music
Press
...I wanted to be sure of getting a good spot to see Nóra at Iðno. Nóra have been getting a lot of good local press for their debut album and having enjoyed that a lot I was really keen to see them. Iðno was comfortably full and the band clearly do have a loyal local following. I had no idea what they even looked like before they ambled onto the stage. There’s a lot of them (6 or 7?) and I must admit I’m over the sight of kids wearing bow ties and cardigans (!), but I can’t fault the way they sounded at all. They played the vast majority of the album, it all sounded great (highlights were Haeðir, Skóflaðu Mér and especially the wonderful Bólaheiðfall) and was really well received – this is a gentle, well-put together folky brand of indie music, the two main voices complement each other very well. This is the best new Icelandic band I’ve seen in 2010. A fabulous end to a musical feast of a day. - IceBlah
You start a band with your mates. Your band has umpteen members with instruments such as violin, harp and washboard. Then someone asks you what your band sounds like. And the first words you’ll say are “oh, a bit like Arcade Fire.” Congratulations, you’ve just made the official ‘World’s fucking laziest music comparison’.
But this comparison is perfect for Nóra’s album, ‘Er einhver að hlusta’. They’ve realised it’s not about having thirty members all playing the Hurdy Gurdy. Instead, it’s all about an expansive, ambitious sound with sweeping highs and melancholic lows. Epic Lo-Fi, if you will.
And it is certainly a stormer. Each track contains simple yet immediate melodies, linked with muscular percussion, slivers of sampled electronica and clear, strong vocals. Soft, intimate moments abound (‘Prentvillur’), but they’re not afraid to tear it up now and again (‘Sæfarinn Ólons’).
Oh, and any new bands best pay attention to songs such as ‘Horft inn’ to get a lesson in how a song should build up to a proper climax. - The Reykjavík Grapevine
Discography
Album:
2010, Iceland – Er einhver að hlusta?
(Is Anyone Listening?)
900 copies sold along with 200 electronic ones
Singles:
June 2010, Iceland: Sjónskekkja (7 weeks on The National Radio’s top list)
August 2010, Iceland: Bólaheiðfall (4 weeks on The National Radio’s top list)
September 2011, Iceland: Bringsmalaskotta (5 weeks on The National Radio’s top list)
August 2012, Iceland: Sporvagnar (From upcoming album, Himinbrim)
Photos
Bio
Nóra has been active in Iceland's music scene since 2008, and released its debut album, Er einhver að hlusta?, in the summer 2010. It was extremely well received by the public and critics alike and the band's fan base expanded out of the island. Following the release, Nóra was busy playing various types of venues and festivals in Reykjavík as well as in the countryside, and their “charming and tight performances” gained growing prestige. In spring 2011 a new drummer joined the band and Nóra began working on new material.
They headed for the studio early 2012 and now, hard work and seven months later their second album is almost ready for release. It has a thicker and more mature sound to it which can both be attributed to a new drummer but also a richer experience and a desire to progress and experiment. All band members took an active part in the production so fans and future fans can expect a very ambitious piece of work.
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