Ragga Grondal & Icelandic Folk Ensemble

line up

• Birgir Baldursson (drummer, percussion)
• Claudio Spieler (percussion)
• Gudmundur Petursson (guitars)
• Haukur Grondal (Clarinet)
• Ragnheidur Grondal (singer)

• country:
  Iceland
• style(s):
  Experimental Folk
• label:
  not signed
• instrumentation:
  vocal
• artist submitted by:
  Ragga Gröndal & The Icelandic Folk Ensemble

Ragga Grondal & The Icelandic Folk Ensemble

Since early 2003 singer Ragnheidur Grondal (Ragga) has been collaborating with her brother Haukur Grondal exploring Icelandic folk music in its various forms. This has resulted in the album "Thjodlog" (Folk Songs) released on the "12 Tonar" label in 2006. The album was very well received in Iceland by critics and the general listener as well.

In early 2009 Ragnheidur decided to put together a group under the name "Icelandic Folk Ensemble" in collaboration with Haukur Grondal and guitar player Gudmundur Petursson.

In this project the focus is on rearranging, in as many and colorful ways possible, the Icelandic folklore with special emphasis on the rhythmic elements in the music. With the use of two percussionists, a guitarist, folklore clarinet and Ragga's special interpretation of the often dark and melancholic lyrics and folklore melodies, the group has found a fresh new sound. The music is inspired by various folk styles e.g. Irish, Bulgarian and Scandinavian folk music.

The result of this can be heard on "Tregagas" the new album released in October 2009 on the Reykjavik based label Sena. Examples from the album can be heard on http://www.myspace.com/icelandicfolkensemble or http://www.myspace.com/rgrondal