Nordic Versatility

The population density in Iceland is three people per square kilometre, but looking at the country’s music scene you’d be forgiven for thinking that most Icelanders are artists. Ragnar Ólafsson is not just hugely talented (he sings and plays several instruments), but he’s also extremely productive (he has recorded over 20 albums in the last 15 years). He has mainly performed with rock and metal bands (Lightspeed Legend, Different Turns, Sign and Sólstafir), but he does not shun away from pop, folk and even opera. As if that wasn’t enough, he has also founded groups Ask the Slave, In Siren and Árstíðir. On 21 February, the artist comes to ArtCafe Barakah to present his meditative compositions reaching for folk and country inspirations from his debut solo album Urges. (Bartosz Suchecki, “Karnet”)