Daníel Hjálmtýsson´s debut EP is out today via an independent self-release.
The EP consists 4 songs about emotions and feelings drenched in a vast sea of various influences that contrast an internal twilight and personal struggles. Each track is an island on it´s own yet harmonizes eerily with the others in a sonic, ever-changing and deep ocean.
The album was recorded, mixed and edited by Icelandic musician and producer Jóhannes Birgir Pálmason, who also did some programming. Mastering was in the hands of the incredible American/Chilean, Alain Johannes.
Along with Daníel, Hálfdán Árnason, Pétur Hallgrímsson and Skúli Gíslason contribute and arrange with
Belgian veterans Aldo Struyf and Fred Lyenn guesting on tracks 1 and 2, dutch supertalents Red Limo Quartet and Icelandic key-prodigy Magnús Jóhann guesting on track 4 while Icelandic singer, Jóna Særún, guests as backing vocals on track 3. Jóhannes Birgir then does programming for track 3, respectively.
The album´s artwork is an oil painting painted by Icelandic visual artist, Sólveig Pálsdóttir, after conversations with Daníel about the themes of the music.
We encourage a listen and share, if you like it and we will see you all soon.
“Daníel Hjálmtýsson plays icy neo-goth music that brings to mind the forbidding landscape of his native Iceland. One can imagine him on a stage of a church-turned-dungeon somewhere in the Reykjavik underbelly.” – Mark Lanegan.
Personal note from Daníel:
I am so very fortunate and grateful to everyone involved and to my closest one´s, myself included for making this happen and for staying vigilante and focused throughout. It´s been a very strange time to promote new music and to be a general member of the global society, but we now know, or at least hope, we can get together soon for a good time, where it´s safe and secure sometime soon. We hope.
I have nearly finished the follow up to this EP (more later), so we are just getting started! Try and use your strange, unwanted thoughts for creativity or common good, learn to control and use your darkness, meditate on why, when and how you feel the way you do and if you can´t; please be unafraid and unashamed to reach out and have someone help you.
Music is just one form of expression and creativity. What´s your form?
Please have a listen and share if you like
– Daniel