Olafur Arnalds announces partnership with Decca Records & Wise Music around OPIA Community Project

Imagined by Ólafur Arnalds, OPIA Community is a project encapsulating a travelling festival series (OPIA Festival), a record label (OPIA Community) and a community hub made up of creators, thinkers, art lovers and everything in-between, with the desire to create an environment that encourages experiments and collaboration. OPIA was originally founded in 2019 as a one-day festival. The first edition was a sold-out takeover at Southbank Centre, followed by a sold-out launch event in Berlin’s Silent Green in October 2023.

Costa-Rican, Berlin-based pianist and composer Sofi Paez has been revealed as the first artist signing to the OPIA Community label, with the release of her debut album planned for May 2024 and first single, "Por qué?", which is out today. “Life works in wonderful ways. I am so thrilled and grateful to have found a home in OPIA Community. I am really excited about this new chapter in my life and what it will bring for the future. To be working alongside this wonderful creative team is really beyond my wildest dreams!" Paez says.

first release on @opiacommunity is out now, and it’s this beautiful track from @sofipaezmusic ! https://t.co/PTxZtatR8G

— Ólafur Arnalds (@OlafurArnalds) January 11, 2024

Speaking about the announcement, Ólafur Arnalds explains: “I’m ecstatic to further expand my collaboration with my trusted partners at Decca and Wise through our work on OPIA Community. Both have been integral parts in my creative life over the last few years. I’m excited to see where our partnerships on OPIA take us and watching these great opportunities bear fruit for our growing roster of incredible artists. One of whom is Sofi Paez – a Berlin-based composer, pianist and singer originally from Costa Rica. We originally got in touch through our OPIA online community and we’re proud to announce her as our first official signing”.

Following the success of the first OPIA Festival, Ólafur proudly announces the second edition of the travelling festival.