Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson
Encyclopedia
Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson (born August 26, 1969) is an Icelandic solo artist, and a lead singer of the bands GusGus
, Nýdönsk and Esja
.
Daníel Ágúst has been part of the local and international music scene since he started his career with Icelandic pop sensation Nýdönsk some 20 years ago.
In 1989 he participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1989
for Iceland
with the song "Það sem enginn sér
". He finished in 21st place, scoring no points.
After releasing 5 albums with Nýdönsk, all of which were warmly embraced by critics and received popular recognition in his homeland, he produced an album with electronic rock group Bubbleflies.
It was around this time he branched out into acting in the National and Municipal theatres, playing roles in West Side Story
, Jesus Christ Superstar
(Pontius Pilate
) and Stone Free. Film directors Arni and Kinski approached him with playing a lead role in their short film Nautn. It was with this film project Daníel founded GusGus in 1995 with Kinski.
The GusGus project became Daníel’s most commercially successful music venture to date, selling over 300 thousand records and touring worldwide.
Daníel took a break from GusGus in the year 2000 to pursue his solo dream as well as writing music for both TV and documentary films and composing music for the Iceland Dance Company.
His first solo album, Swallowed a Star, was released by One Little Indian in Europe (2005) and North America (2006).
During the years leading up to his first solo release Daníel was heavily involved in Iceland’s contribution to the Venice Biennale
in 2005. This included acting in, co-directing, and editing the film piece as well as supervising the soundtrack for it.
Daníel formed a musical pet project, with heavy metal band Mínus
front man Krummi, called Esja and released a self titled album in 2008.
Daníel rejoined GusGus with the releases of Forever in 2007 and 24/7 (2009) touring extensively in Europe. Daníel is currently working on his second solo album
GusGus
GusGus are a band from Reykjavík, Iceland. They were founded in 1995. Their discography consists of eight studio albums and one live record.- History :...
, Nýdönsk and Esja
Esja
The mountain Esja often called Esjan is situated in the south-west of Iceland, about 10 km to the north of Iceland's capital city Reykjavík. Esja is not a single mountain, but a volcanic mountain range, made from basalt and tuff-stone....
.
Daníel Ágúst has been part of the local and international music scene since he started his career with Icelandic pop sensation Nýdönsk some 20 years ago.
In 1989 he participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1989
Eurovision Song Contest 1989
The Eurovision Song Contest 1989 was the 34th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 6 May 1989 in Lausanne, Switzerland. Switzerland gained the hosting rights after Celine Dion's victory in Dublin the previous year. The presenters were Lolita Morena and Jacques Deschenaux. Riva was the winner of...
for Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
with the song "Það sem enginn sér
Það sem enginn sér
"Það sem enginn sér" was the Icelandic entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1989, performed in Icelandic by Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson....
". He finished in 21st place, scoring no points.
After releasing 5 albums with Nýdönsk, all of which were warmly embraced by critics and received popular recognition in his homeland, he produced an album with electronic rock group Bubbleflies.
It was around this time he branched out into acting in the National and Municipal theatres, playing roles in West Side Story
West Side Story
West Side Story is an American musical with a script by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and choreographed by Jerome Robbins...
, Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
(Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilatus , known in the English-speaking world as Pontius Pilate , was the fifth Prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, from AD 26–36. He is best known as the judge at Jesus' trial and the man who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus...
) and Stone Free. Film directors Arni and Kinski approached him with playing a lead role in their short film Nautn. It was with this film project Daníel founded GusGus in 1995 with Kinski.
The GusGus project became Daníel’s most commercially successful music venture to date, selling over 300 thousand records and touring worldwide.
Daníel took a break from GusGus in the year 2000 to pursue his solo dream as well as writing music for both TV and documentary films and composing music for the Iceland Dance Company.
His first solo album, Swallowed a Star, was released by One Little Indian in Europe (2005) and North America (2006).
During the years leading up to his first solo release Daníel was heavily involved in Iceland’s contribution to the Venice Biennale
Venice Biennale
The Venice Biennale is a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place once every two years in Venice, Italy. The Venice Film Festival is part of it. So too is the Venice Biennale of Architecture, which is held in even years...
in 2005. This included acting in, co-directing, and editing the film piece as well as supervising the soundtrack for it.
Daníel formed a musical pet project, with heavy metal band Mínus
Mínus
Mínus is an Icelandic alternative rock/hardcore band from Reykjavík. They are signed to the record label Smekkleysa. Mínus have shared the stage with, among others, Metallica, Foo Fighters, and Queens of the Stone Age...
front man Krummi, called Esja and released a self titled album in 2008.
Daníel rejoined GusGus with the releases of Forever in 2007 and 24/7 (2009) touring extensively in Europe. Daníel is currently working on his second solo album