Ragnheiður Gröndal (Ragga) has been described as one of Iceland’s most remarkable voices.
The sound of Ragga Gröndal’s music is warm, adventurous and modern, yet accessible for curious music-lovers. At the heart of it is Ragga’s unique vocal expression who has been described as one of Iceland’s most remarkable vocalists. Ragga Gröndal has worked with the same musicians for a decade and together they have toured all over Europe and created many beautiful and unforgettable moments. The band consists of musicians who are all independent artists in their own right; Guðmundur Pétursson (guitar), Haukur Gröndal (woodwind player) and Claudio Spieler (percussion). Their live shows portray each individual’s personality and strengths and the interplay between the voice, clarinet, percussion and guitar create a colorful landscape of sonic experience. Each and every concert becomes a unique journey between the musicians, the audience and the performance space.
Although the music is strongly rooted in the Icelandic folklore tradition, it challenges the conventional approach by mixing together diverse and even far-out influences. One could say that it strongly resembled the extreme natural cycles that control people’s behaviour in that small, once very isolated island located in the north Atlantic ocean.
The music is also inspired by the Icelandic modern-day reality versus the old times, and the resistance to conform - but staying true to a path of authenticity. The protection of Icelandic, the mother tongue of only 330 thousand people in the world is very important to Ragga Gröndal and that’s why she sings mostly in Icelandic. Iceland is a country with a very long literature tradition and people’s deep love for the language and story telling have shaped the music as well.
The longing to share music with the world is a part of a bigger collective dream that music can have the power to unite people who come from a different background. Music holds the key to understanding and compassion and is the strongest available medicine for the soul.
Reviews:
“Ragga creates her own universe of sound. Like Miles Davis´ trumpet, Ragga’s voice floats above the music.”
“Breathless silence. The audience is spellbound. By this music. By this woman. She is a radiant musical northern light.”
Heinz Bayer, Salzburger Nachrichten 2019
“Her angelic and crystal-like voice left the audience speechless and sent chills through the room as she sang beautiful Icelandic melodies.”
Mary Connor, Columbia College Chicago, Iceland Airwves 2017
“Ragga Gröndal is one of those remarkable voices of Iceland.”
Eelco Schilder, Folk World