Bragi Ólafsson
Encyclopedia
Bragi Ólafsson is a musician and a writer.
Internationally he is best known for his work as a bassist in The Sugarcubes
, the avant-garde pop band from Iceland that brought fame to Björk
, who went on to solo success with her unique brand of dance-pop.
The Sugarcubes, who favored strange, offbeat melodies, came together in 1986, but the Sugarcubes' members had played together in different combinations in various Icelandic groups before. Bragi and Einar Örn Benediktsson
(trumpet / vocals) had released records on Einar's own label, Gramm
. In 1986 Bragi also launched his writing career, publishing his first book, a poetry volume called Dragsúgur (Draught).
In 1992 The Sugarcubes disbanded as Björk began her solo career. Bragi, meanwhile, has continued to work on Bad Taste Ltd., the company formed by the Sugarcubes to publish poetry and sign other bands but is no longer a practising musician.
He enjoys considerable success as a novelist, playwright and poet in Iceland, having twice been nominated to the Icelandic Literature Prize.
Internationally he is best known for his work as a bassist in The Sugarcubes
The Sugarcubes
The Sugarcubes were an Icelandic alternative rock band formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992. They received critical and popular acclaim internationally.-History:...
, the avant-garde pop band from Iceland that brought fame to Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
, who went on to solo success with her unique brand of dance-pop.
The Sugarcubes, who favored strange, offbeat melodies, came together in 1986, but the Sugarcubes' members had played together in different combinations in various Icelandic groups before. Bragi and Einar Örn Benediktsson
Einar Örn Benediktsson
Einar Örn Benediktsson is a popular music singer and trumpet player who has worked with Björk and The Sugarcubes. Since the 2010 elections he is a member of the city council of Reykjavík....
(trumpet / vocals) had released records on Einar's own label, Gramm
Gramm
Gramm was an Icelandic record label created by Ásmundur Jónsson and Einar Örn Benediktsson in 1981.Located in Reykjavík, Gramm’s first release was a 10-track 7" vinyl titled Tilf by Purrkur Pillnikk, a punk group led by Einar Örn....
. In 1986 Bragi also launched his writing career, publishing his first book, a poetry volume called Dragsúgur (Draught).
In 1992 The Sugarcubes disbanded as Björk began her solo career. Bragi, meanwhile, has continued to work on Bad Taste Ltd., the company formed by the Sugarcubes to publish poetry and sign other bands but is no longer a practising musician.
He enjoys considerable success as a novelist, playwright and poet in Iceland, having twice been nominated to the Icelandic Literature Prize.
Books Translated into English
- The Pets (translation Janice Balfour. Open Letter, New York. 2008)
- The Ambassador (translation Lytton Smith. Open Letter, New York. 2010)