Kraumur
Encyclopedia
Kraumur Music Fund is an independent Icelandic music fund and operation established by the Aurora Charity Foundation in the beginning of 2008 to "to strengthen Icelandic musical life, primarily by supporting young musicians in performing and presenting their works."
Among its board of advisers are artists Björk
, Kjartan Sveinsson
of Sigur Rós and author Sjón
.
Kraumur runs a small office in Reykjavik
, Iceland
, from where it works on strengthening the position of young musicians in Iceland through direct grants, professional assistance and various forms of cooperation. Kraumur has worked with and supported artists like Mugison
, Amiina
, FM Belfast
, pianist Víkingur Heiðar Ólafsson, Ólöf Arnalds
and Dikta
.
' - with the aim to support Icelandic artists to tour Iceland. Among artists featured on the first 'Innrásar-tours', playing in towns all over the island, were; Sign
, Reykjavík!, Benni Hemm Hemm and Borko
.
Later that year plans for the first Kraumur Awards
('Kraumsverðlaunin' in Icelandic) were announced to acknowledge and support records being released by Icelandic artists. Nominations are chosen by a selected panel of Icelandic music journalist and radio show hosts.
Among its board of advisers are artists 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...
, Kjartan Sveinsson
Kjartan Sveinsson
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...
of Sigur Rós and author Sjón
Sjón
Sigurjón Birgir Sigurðsson , known as Sjón , is an internationally known Icelandic author and poet. His pen name is formed from his given name , and means 'Sight'....
.
Kraumur runs a small office in Reykjavik
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
, 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...
, from where it works on strengthening the position of young musicians in Iceland through direct grants, professional assistance and various forms of cooperation. Kraumur has worked with and supported artists like Mugison
Mugison
Mugison is an Icelandic musician and singer who originally performed as a one-man band using a guitar and computer, but now often performs with a band. He studied in London to become a record producer....
, Amiina
Amiina
Amiina is an Icelandic band composed of Hildur Ársælsdóttir , Edda Rún Ólafsdóttir , Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir , and Sólrún Sumarliðadóttir . They frequently perform live and in the studio along with Sigur Rós...
, FM Belfast
FM Belfast
FM Belfast is an electro/electronica band from Reykjavík, Iceland.Its members include Lóa Hlín Hjálmtýsdóttir, Árni Rúnar Hlöðversson, Árni Vilhjálmsson and Örvar Þóreyjarson Smárason....
, pianist Víkingur Heiðar Ólafsson, Ólöf Arnalds
Ólöf Arnalds
Ólöf Arnalds is an Icelandic singer/songwriter and indie musician who has been active within the Icelandic music scene for quite some time. Apart from her own music and being a touring member of Múm since 2003, she has cooperated with bands and artists such as Stórsveit Nix Noltes, Mugison,...
and Dikta
Dikta
Dikta is an indie rock band from Iceland. They have released four albums thus far.-Biography:In its present incarnation, the group began in 1999. They played in the Icelandic band competition Músíktilraunir in 2000 and were finalists. Dikta's four members have been friends since they were children...
.
Special initiatives
In the spring of 2008 Kraumur launched a program - 'InnrásinInnrásin
In the spring of 2008 the independent Icelandic Kraumur Music Fund launched a special program called Innrásin, to support Icelandic artists to tour Iceland.Most Icelandic bands and artists are located in and around Iceland's capital, Reykjavik...
' - with the aim to support Icelandic artists to tour Iceland. Among artists featured on the first 'Innrásar-tours', playing in towns all over the island, were; Sign
Sign (band)
Sign is an Icelandic rock band that was formed in 2001, as Halim, to compete in the Icelandic version of the Battle of the bands called Musiktilraunir....
, Reykjavík!, Benni Hemm Hemm and Borko
Borko
Björn Kristiansson alias Borko is an Icelandic musician. His debut album Celebrating Life was released in March, 2008 on record labels Morr Music and Kimi Records. Borko and band toured with the Icelandic bands Múm and Seabear in 2008.-External links:...
.
Later that year plans for the first Kraumur Awards
Kraumur Awards
Kraumur Awards is a music prize, organized by the Kraumur Music Fund, awarded for the best albums being released in Iceland.The nominations for the first Kraumur Awards were announced in November 2008...
('Kraumsverðlaunin' in Icelandic) were announced to acknowledge and support records being released by Icelandic artists. Nominations are chosen by a selected panel of Icelandic music journalist and radio show hosts.
Mission
The Board of Aurora Charity Foundation issued the following statement when establishing the fund in January 2008;
“Icelandic musical life has a special uniqueness, in particular because of the palpable power and boldness that characterise young musicians. The Sugarcubes and Björk pioneered the global explosion of Icelandic music, and many musicians have followed in their footsteps with amazing results. Today, the Icelandic music experience has become one of the strongest elements of the image that Iceland and Icelanders enjoy abroad. The unusual interplay of pop and classical music can be a driving force in ongoing successes. The support of young musicians in their works, and in various forms of cooperation, creates a stronger foundation under this important growth area of Icelandic culture.”