- Amiina
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This article is about the Icelandic quartet. For other uses, see Amina (disambiguation).
Amiina 
Amiina concert in Pennsylvania, 2006Background information Origin Reykjavík, Iceland Genres Ambient, post-rock, instrumental Years active 2004–present Labels Bláskjár, Ever, Kitchen Motors, Rumraket, Speak'n'spell, The Worker's Institute Associated acts Sigur Rós Website www.amiina.com Members Hildur Ársælsdóttir
Edda Rún Ólafsdóttir
Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir
Sólrún Sumarliðadóttir
Magnús Trygvason Eliassen
Kippi Kaninus (Guðmundur Vignir Karlsson)Past members Ólöf Júlía Kjartansdóttir Amiina (formerly Amína and Aníma) is an Icelandic band composed of Hildur Ársælsdóttir (born January 31, 1980), Edda Rún Ólafsdóttir (born February 3, 1978), Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir (born September 29, 1980), and Sólrún Sumarliðadóttir (born August 10, 1977). They frequently perform live and in the studio along with Sigur Rós. Back in 2001 violinist Ólöf Júlía was part of the band but has since been replaced by Hildur Ársælsdóttir.[1]
The music is made with a great number of instruments. It contains elements of minimalistic style, contemporary classical, ambient, and electronic loops.
In their performances, each of them plays from the large range of instruments, moving from one instrument—and side of the stage—to another mid-song, often after sampling.
Before adopting the name Amiina, the group were initially a string quartet: María and Hildur as violinists, Edda as violist, and Sólrún as cellist. As a string quartet Amiina have recorded work with Sigur Rós, notably on the award-winning album ( ) as well as its follow-up, Takk....[2][3]
Their first commercially-available recording was the four-track EP Animamina. This was followed by their first single, "Seoul". Their first full-length album, Kurr, was released March 21, 2007, through the band's own label, Bláskjár. It was re-released by Ever Records in June 2007.
When Sigur Rós ceased touring in July 2006, Amiina followed with their first solo tours of Europe and America in October and November. Following the release of Kurr, they toured North America in March and April and Europe in May.
The song "Hilli" was released on December 10, 2007 as the second single from the album Kurr. It is a collaboration between Amiina and Lee Hazelwood whose vocals (the last recording before his death) are mixed with a reworked version of the original song.
Amiina appeared in the Icelandic movie Brúðguminn, (White Night Wedding) released early 2008.
Prior to their 2009 release of Re Minore Amiina toured with a drummer named Magnús Trygvason Eliassen (usually referred to as Maggi) who, together with Kippi Kaninus, joined the band on the EP. Both participated in the recording of Amiina's second studio album Puzzle during spring or summer of 2010,[4][5] released on Sept 27, 2010.
Contents
Instruments
- Electronic
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- Compact synthesizer
- Digital piano
- Harps
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- Celtic
- Metallophones
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- Celesta
- Glockenspiel (which they sometimes bow)
- Viols
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- Cello
- Viola
- Violin
- Zithers
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- Gideon harp (external description; also called a "table harp")
- Other
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- Call bells (also called "office" or "reception" bells)
- Glass harp
- Kalimba
- Mandolin
- Musical saw
Discography
Albums
- Kurr (March 21, 2007)
- Puzzle (September, 2010)
EPs
- AnimaminA (May 9, 2005)
- Re Minore (2009)
Singles
- "Seoul" (November 6, 2006)
- "Hilli (At The Top Of The World)" (December 17, 2007)
- "Over & Again" (2010) [Limited to 500 copies]
- "What are we waiting for?" (September 2010)
Compilation inclusions
- Screaming Masterpiece (2005)
- Kitchen Motors Family Album/Fjölskyldualbúm Tilraunaeldhússins (Spring 2006)
- Nightmare Revisited ("Doctor Finkelstein/In the Forest") (2008)
References
- ^ John Best, Sigur Rós' Tour Manager (2008-08-01). "Sigur Rós: Manager’s Tour Diary, Australia". Sigur Rós Dót. http://dot.sigurros.com/wp/management-tour-blog/managers-tour-diary-australia/. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
- ^ "sigur rós - discography » ( )". sigur-ros.co.uk. http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/band/disco/parenth.php. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
- ^ "sigur rós - discography » takk...". sigur-ros.co.uk. http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/band/disco/takk-credits.php. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
- ^ Shaun Oppedisano. "Amiina Interview". Artist Advocacy. http://www.artistadvocacy.com/music/features/amiina-interview/. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
- ^ "Amiina - A Noble Quartet". Iceland Music Export. http://icelandmusic.is/In-the-spotlight/1027/Amiina---A-Noble-Quartet/default.aspx. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
External links
Categories:- Sigur Rós
- Icelandic post-rock groups
- All-female bands
- String quartets
- 1977 births
- 1980 births
- Living people
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