Toby Driver is a composer and multi-instrumentalist who navigates between genres. Best known for his groundbreaking experimental metal bands Kayo Dot and maudlin of the Well he is “a tirelessly inventive recording artist” (PopMatters) with a prolific career of over 25 years. His work–– impressionistic architectural and emotionally vulnerable––has been described as “unlike any other” (The Quietus) displaying “A greater vision of how music can evoke feelings both grandiose and devastatingly intimate.” (Vice/Noisey). His multifarious projects share a sensitive and detail oriented composition ranging from the metaphysical to the avant-garde and an insatiable search for the new: there's “absolutely nothing to compare it against.” (Echoes and Dust)
Alora Crucible his most recent musical identity explores transcendental instrumental music with Driver on guitar and hammered dulcimer in collaboration with violinist Timba Harris and keyboardist Ana Cristina Pérez. With their recent second album Oak Lace Apparition released on the enigmatic and elite House of Mythology label in the company of titans Ulver and Current 93 Alora Crucible has made a strong and enduring statement about this music's exalted place in Driver's diverse body of work. Simultaneously with that Driver also released a new solo album of ballads Raven I Know That You Can Give Me Anything and completed a yet-to-be-announced major work with his long-running outfit Kayo Dot “one of the greatest and most exciting contemporary progressive/experimental/avant-garde bands going” (Treblezine) showing that his reputation as “one of the most endlessly creative and thrilling band leaders” (Treblezine) is a well-earned one.
For his first time ever visiting Iceland Toby and his band will present music from both the Toby Driver solo albums and the Alora Crucible albums in two separate sets featuring guitar violin hammered dulcimer synths vocals and percussion.
Toby Driver: (Kayo Dot maudlin of the Well): guitar voice hammered dulcimer
Timba Harris (Igorrr Grails Kayo Dot Secret Chiefs 3): violin/viola
Ana Cristina Pérez: synths and voice
Sam Gutterman (Kayo Dot Forlesen): percussion guitar
https://kayodot.bandcamp.com/.../raven-i-know-that-you...
https://aloracruciblehom.bandcamp.com/.../oak-lace...
Ragnar Ólafsson is a musician composer and author from Iceland. He divides his time between studio projects in Reykjavík and touring with his solo project and his commercially acclaimed band Árstíðir.
His new solo album ‘Mexico’ will be released on March 21st.
His latest score for TV is the series Little Disasters (Paramount+) featuring Diane Kruger. His first book ‘Definitely Maybe’ (2024) answers the question of how nordic nations can have such prodigious output of music compared to their relatively
small populations.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Dillon Whiskey Bar, Laugavegur 30, Laugavegur 30 101, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, Reykjavík
