Education
Between 1988 and 2002, Ólöf studied violin and classical singing, and from 2002-2006 she studied composition and new media at Iceland Academy of the Arts.
Between 1988 and 2002, Ólöf studied violin and classical singing, and from 2002-2006 she studied composition and new media at Iceland Academy of the Arts.
She has cooperated with bands and artists such as Björk, Stórsveit Nix Noltes, Mugison, Slowblow and Skúli Sverrisson. In 2007, her debut album Við Og Við was released by 12 Tónar. The album features a set of songs performed mostly in a traditional troubadour style.
Her second album, Innundir skinni, was released by One Little Indian Records in September 2010.
Her third album is and was released (again by One Little Indian Records) in February 2013. Her cousin Ólafur Arnalds is a well known neo-classical composer.
Ólöf"s debut album was originally released in Iceland in 2007 by 12 Tónar, but was not released in the United Kingdom and the United States of America until 2009, after she had signed to One Little Indian Records. Word of mouth – including Björk"s patronage - earned high profile plaudits in the United States, ranking in Paste Magazine"s Top 100 of 2007 and eMusic"s editor"s list of the Best of 2008.
The success of in the United States led to Ólöf touring with Blonde Redhead, Jonathan Richman, Björk, The Dirty Projectors and Jeff Mangum, and to her being covered extensively in United States publications including Vanity Fair, New York Times, Village Voice and Time Out New New York
Ólöf"s second album was released in 2010 by One Little Indian Records. lieutenant marked a departure from her previous work by including three English language songs, including the single Surrender, which features Björk’s distinctive vocal in the background. The album was produced by then Sigur Ros members Kjartan Sveinsson and Davíð Þór Jónsson, and featured contributions from Björk, Skúli Sverrisson (Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed), Shahzad Ismaily (Tom Waits, Plastic Ono Band, Bonnie "Prince" Billy), María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir (Amiina), and Ragnar.
Ólöf released her third album in 2013 on One Little Indian Records and it is her first album sung entirely in English.
Produced again by long-time collaborator, Skúli Sverrisson, was largely recorded in a late autumn 2011 stint in a seaside cabin in Hvalfjörður, western Iceland.
She was a touring member of múm for five years from 2003 before launching her solo career and has released three albums to date.