As part of our weeklong series of Icelandic events at Scandinavia House, prolific Icelandic songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jófríður Ákadóttir (of Samaris, Pascal Pinon, and Gangly), joins us for a performance of JFDR, a new project that incorporates a blend of cyclical guitar parts, soft minimal soundscapes, and poetic wanderings. Drawing from classical, folk, and electronic backgrounds, JFDR amalgamates the sounds of changing seasons, with “minimalist soundscapes populated by softly tumbling guitars and haunting electronics” (Consequence of Sound).
Her recently released debut album Brazil was recorded in New York in 2016 and co-produced by legendary multi instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily (Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed, Tom Waits, Yoko Ono, etc.) over the period of a year.
“The songwriting’s magnificent throughout and anyone with an interest in forward thinking pop should head to Brazil immediately.” – London in Stereo
“With her first solo record, the astonishingly prolific Ákadóttir has created a story that’s finished, but still lingers in the heart and the memory, just as Brazil does.” – Line of Best Fit 8/10
“Combining minimal soundscapes with the rich imagery of her words, JFDR is a properly prolific talent.” – i-D
“JFDR is the brainchild of Jófríður Ákadóttir, the Icelandic musician who is something of a shooting star. To write that she is a rising star would be putting it too mildly, as she is already engaged in multiple projects earning substantial acclaim. But it would be hard to dispute that her solo material as JFDR is perhaps the most promising.” – The 405
“One of Iceland’s most prolific talents.” – Indie Shuffle
ABOUT JFDR
JFDR, Airborne:
JFDR is the latest project from Iceland’s Jófríður Ákadóttir (Samaris, Pascal Pinon, Gangly). Drawing from classical, folk, and electronic backgrounds, JFDR perhaps shines the most in her capacity as a wordsmith, employing rich imagery to evoke the subtle emotions embedded in each song. Her first full length album, Brazil, co-produced with legendary multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily, was released March 17th 2017. It establishes a high watermark for an artist who has already released numerous albums in various groups and toured the world many times over, and is now slated as one of Iceland’s fastest rising musical stars.
Iceland 100
In celebration of the centenary of Iceland’s independence and sovereignty, Scandinavia House and the Consulate of Iceland in New York bring you an Icelandic movie of the month through 2018.
For more about the centenary, please visit the website.
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Image courtesy of Jófríður Ákadóttir
FRI—May 11—7:30 PM
$15 ($10 ASF Members)