Asgeir performs in The Current studios
by Bill DeVille and Asgeir Trausti Einarsson
June 14, 2014
Ásgeir holds the record for the highest-charting debut album in Icelandic history, where 1 in 10 people own a copy. He's been called the Icelandic Jeff Buckley, the Icelandic Bon Iver, yet the easygoing 21-year-old remains bemused by all the accolades. "It's a big surprise for me," he says in his soft-spoken manner.
On tour supporting his album, In the Silence, Ásgeir and his band stopped in to The Current studios to play some songs and to chat with Bill DeVille.
In the Silence was first released in 2012 as Dyrð í dauðaþögn; many of the song lyrics were written by Ásgeir's father, a poet. With an eye to wider distribution, Ásgeir Trausti Einarsson (his full name) worked with singer-songwriter John Grant — formerly of Colorado, who now makes his home in Iceland — to translate the songs into English. Ásgeir describes the challenges of translation to Bill DeVille, but credits Grant for the album's successful transition, calling Grant a "genius."
It's the first time in Minnesota for Ásgeir, who has played twice at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. Listen to the full interview as Ásgeir describes getting to meet Willie Nelson in Texas. Ásgeir also discusses his creative habits, his musical influences, and whether or not the Icelandic climate affects his songwriting output.
Songs Performed
"King and Cross"
"Going Home"
"Head in the Snow"
All songs off the album, In the Silence, out now on One Little Indian Records.
Hosted by Bill DeVille
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Michael DeMark and Wesley Berger
