Samaris – Sydney Festival

Overview

One of Iceland's greatest exports is music, and this staggeringly young three-piece from Reykjavik is no exception. Comprising of vocals, electronic production and clarinet (yes, clarinet), they will be gracing our shores in January for Sydney Festival. Their unique, paranormal sound has been described as if the xx and Little Dragon eloped to the magical forest out of The Lord of the Rings.

Samaris are turning heads globally with their atmospheric electronica and shamanistic vocals, laying down 19th-century Icelandic poetry on percussive beats. Simultaneously ancient and modern, their otherworldly soundscapes are bound to be unlike anything you've heard before. Though instrumentally eclectic, their sound is remarkably cohesive. In fact, on first listen, it is difficult to detect the tightly integrated clarinet.

If dreamy electronica is your main game, Samaris's lush musical palette of elegant hymns and wandering basslines will leave you awestruck.

Image by Fritz Berndsen/Fiona Cribben.