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Kjartan Sveinsson

Kjartan Sveinsson

Sound

Biography

Kjartan "Kjarri" Sveinsson is a keyboardist of the Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós. He joined the band in 1998. Being something of a multi-instrumentalist, he has also played such instruments as the flute, tin whistle, oboe and even the banjo, as well as many of the unorthodox instruments that contribute to Sigur Rós's distinctive sound. He also plays the guitar.

Known For

Ondine
6.4

On the coast of Cork, Syracuse is a divorced fisherman who has stopped drinking. His precocious daughter Annie has failing kidneys. One day, he finds a nearly-drowned young woman in his net; she calls herself Ondine and wants no one to see her. He puts her up in an isolated cottage that was his mother's. Annie discovers Ondine's presence and believes she is a selkie, a seal that turns human while on land. Syracuse is afraid to hope again.

Ondine

2010
Sparrows
6.4

The story follows a 16-year-old Icelandic boy, Ari, who lives with his mother in Reykjavík. She has to leave the country for a new job, sending him back to the small town of his youth. There he finds his old friend, suddenly a young woman with a tricky romantic relationship; and his father has become a victim of the financial crisis.

Sparrows

2015
O
5.2

A fragile soul's inner turmoil unfolds as he battles personal demons in pursuit of a seemingly mundane goal.

O

2024
Two Birds
6.2

The story takes place during one bright summer night and follows a group of young teenagers on a journey from innocence to adulthood. The main character is a timid boy who has a typical schoolboy crush on a girl his age, who happens to be a friend of his mate.

Two Birds

2008
Heima
7.7

Ethereal post-rock pioneers Sigur Rós play a string of impromptu gigs in their native Iceland after finishing a world tour in 2006. As they travel through the country, the band visits a wide variety of venues, from a large outdoor festival to a coffee shop.

Heima

2007
Volcano
6.9

Hannes is an old man who has grown apart from his children. Recently retired when his wife gets ill he tries to reconcile with them and to atone for his cold demeanor in the past.

Volcano

2011
Echo
6.6

Through 56 independent scenes, Echo draws a portrait, both biting and tender, of modern day Iceland during the often turbulent but also exciting time of the Christmas holidays.

Echo

2019
Plastic Bag
7.5

A plastic bag, thrown out in the trash, attempts to find his way back to his owner and along the way discovers the world.

Plastic Bag

2009
Inni
7.8

Inni is a live motion picture and album by Icelandic band Sigur Rós released in 2011.The concert footage was directed by Vincent Morisset and filmed at the Alexandra Palace in 2008. It was released on 7 November 2011 on various formats, including vinyl, DVD, Blu-ray and CD. Theatrical versions are also being shown around the world from late 2011. The songs played within are Ný batterí, Svefn-g-englar, Fljótavík, Inní mér syngur vitleysingur, Sæglópur, Festival, E-Bow, Popplagið and Lúppulagið. The bonus material contains All Allright, Glósóli, Hafsól and Við spilum endalaust.

Inni

2011
Screaming Masterpiece
6.6

A documentary about the bustling Icelandic musical scene. This documentary covers some of Iceland's most talented and well-known musicians.

Screaming Masterpiece

2005
The Visitors
N/A

A celebration of creativity, community, and friendship, The Visitors (2012) documents a 64-minute durational performance Kjartansson staged with some of his closest friends at the romantically dilapidated Rokeby Farm in upstate New York. Each of the nine channels shows a musician or group of musicians, including some of Iceland’s most renowned as well as members of the family that owns Rokeby Farm, performing in a separate space in the storied house and grounds; each wears headphones to hear the others. As the music begins and repeats, individual players stop, start, and move between rooms. Viewed together, the individual videos present an ensemble performance Kjartansson calls a “feminine nihilistic gospel song.” The piece itself sets lyrics from a poem by artist Ásdís Sif Gunnarsdóttir, Ragnar´s ex-wife, to a musical arrangement by the artist and Icelandic musician Davíð Þór Jónsson; the title comes from a 1981 album from Swedish pop band ABBA, meant to be its last.

The Visitors

2012
Sigur Rós: Gobbledigook
N/A

Gobbledigook is the first track on Sigur Rós' album Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust. It premiered on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show in the UK on 27 May 2008.

Sigur Rós: Gobbledigook

2009
Sigur Rós: Live From the Walt Disney Concert Hall
N/A

Icelandic Post-Rock band Sigur Ros performs live at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra

Sigur Rós: Live From the Walt Disney Concert Hall

2017
Sigur Ros - Sæglópur
N/A

The music video for the song track depicts the drowning of a young child, who is, towards the end of the video, rescued by a diver and, as in the "Glósóli" video, whether the child survives is left for the viewer to decide.

Sigur Ros - Sæglópur

2006