Icelandic singer/songwriter Svavar Knútur is the son of a school teacher and a fisherman from the rural areas of Iceland. He has in the recent years developed a closer relationship with his native language and culture, the stories of his family and ancestors and the emotional landscape of northern folk. He's also a passionate storyteller.
Svavar Knútur’s performances have been widely praised, in both the Icelandic and the international press. The German edition of Rolling Stone noted his exceptional storytelling, charismatic stage presence and his “soft cotton, Nordic folk reverie”. Brisbane’s Rave magazine also described him as having “swoon-worthy vocals” complimenting the “beautiful simplicity and raw emotion of his songs”. Influenced by such songwriters as Nick Drake, Kris Kristofferson and Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Svavar has developed his own style, a meeting of folk and indie rock.
Svavar’s live performances are a mixture of songs and stories. He invites the audience along with him on a journey of discovery through misery and redemption, with humour and hope as his constant companions. All the while, he maintains his creative goal of emotional healing and catharsis. “There is always a subtle sense of humor and hope in my lyrics.” His audiences are often laughing and crying - simultaneously. In recent years, he has extensively toured Australia, the US, Canada, UK and Europe, playing over one-hundred live concerts per year.
