Ólafur Arnalds launches Island Songs project

Writing on his new islandsongs.is site, Arnalds explains:

Over the next 7 weeks, I will be traveling to 7 different locations in Iceland – one per week – to record a series of new compositions.

In each location I will be collaborating with local artists to create and perform a new song and each week I will release the audio track and video performance, shot by director Baldvin Z. Each artist has their own unique story to tell and way of contributing, making this a diverse and evolving project.

Island Songs is a living musical film and therefore everything will be documented in real-time. You can join me by keeping an eye on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and IslandSongs.is for regular media and commentary.

New locations will be added to the map as we go and songs will be released every Monday.

The first compisition is called "Árbakkinn" and is centred around the harbour village of Hvammstangi. Poet and teacher Einar Georg Einarsson collaborates with Arnalds on the track, which is released 27 June.

Arnalds explains futher:

"Coloured fishing vessels are often moored in the tiny harbour of Hvammstangi, a town that sits in the eastern shore of the Miðfjörður. The name is derived from ‘hvammur’, which means a green space in a mountain and is now home to Einar, a poet and teacher in Icelandic and literature. He moved to this remote town two years ago to retire and continues to write poetry."

Arnalds isn't the only artist using his nation and inspiration - Sigur Rós are currently livestreaming a 24-hour "Slow TV" project which takes them on a 1332km journey around the island's Route 1.