Leaves

icelandic

There are at least four artists with this name: 1) Leaves is an Icelandic indie band which came to prominence in 2002. Icelandic indie band Leaves will release its third album this spring. The album, called We Are Shadows, will be available through download and mail order on May 11th. Four years in the making, the album sees the band develop their sound and songwriting even further. Formed early in 2001 the band has an interesting story to tell. It all began when Arnar Guðjónsson and Hallur Már Hallsson rented a house in downtown Reykjavík. Arnar had been in a popular band but had songs in stock which didn't fit their style. This happened when computer recording was in its early days, the house was transformed into a studio and demos for songs piled up. Through series of coincindences the demos ended up at the offices of record labels in London and Los Angeles which immediately showed interest. Old friends; Arnar Ólafsson (guitar, vocals), Andri Ásgrímsson (keys) and Bjarni Grímsson (drums) began playing the songs with Arnar and Hallur and soon the band was formed. After some pondering the group settled on Leaves as an apt name. Referring to Five Leaves Left, the first album of English legend Nick Drake. Leaves practiced mercilessly and played their first gig at a converted art gallery at the Airwaves festival in October 2001. For the summer everyone in the band sensed that something special was happening and the interest from abroad did nothing to dampen that fe...