Biography
Ever since his indie rock group Hjaltalín exploded onto the scene in 2007, Högni has been one of the best known contemporary singers and songwriters in Iceland.
A multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and composer, he was soon recruited by famed electronic group GusGus for songwriting, singing and touring – resulting in a strong international following. In 2017, he released his eclectic first solo album Two Trains.
Alongside his songwriting work, Högni has become well established as a composer for film, television and theatre. He has written scores for Moving Art Iceland (Netflix), the cutting-edge dance installation ‘Project XO’ (New Movement Collective), Hannah Felicia (Danskompaniet Spinn), The Heart of Robin Hood (The Royal Shakespeare Company) and Angels of the Universe (Icelandic National Theatre).
He recently scored DUO productions feature film ‘Alma’ and is working with the acclaimed director Baltasar Kormakur on the score for the first Icelandic Netflix series ‘Katla’.
Högni Showreel 2021
Selected
Compositions
Recent Work
Project XO
Project XO, an interactive dance instalation featuring a soundtrack by Högni took place 17-19 april 2020. The project is a cutting-edge dance installation devised by New Movement Collective with collaborators Kai Lab, Visualpilots and FENYCE Workspace. This unique encounter invites members of the public to wear a robotic exoskeleton which will move their body in a precise choreography. The robotic suit both subdues and empowers the wearer, as we watch this haunting interaction and wonder about who the ambiguous ‘creator’ behind the movement is. You can take part as a participant wearing the robotic suit or as an audience member by watching the interaction in the intimate setting of our dance studio.
Check out the trailer here:
Music for Brainwaves
A rather unique collaboration between Högni’s label Erased Tapes, scientists at Goldsmiths College, University of London and hotelier citizenM. Music for Brainwaves features music from Högni alongside Michael Price and Ben Lukas Boysen, using frequencies isolated by the Goldsmiths’ scientists, that have measured and proven mental impact. More on the project on Erased Tapes’ website:
Zebra Box Set
Högni and Kiasmos collaborated on their Erased Tapes 10th anniversary box set contribution 'Zebra', recorded at Vox-Ton Studio in Berlin between August 2016 and 2017. It is one of the few recording studios left where it’s still possible to record fully analogue, isolated from the city noise and in a room that can fit a large ensemble. Reflective of the communal spirit, 1+1=X is the result of an ambitious undertaking; to create a singular record as a collective, not just a compilation of songs, that celebrates the benefits of community over individuality and improvisation over rigorous planning.
