Photo by Jonatan Grétarsson
Kristján Kristjánsson, known as KK, is an Icelandic musician born in 1956, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He moved to Iceland at age 10. Between 1985 and 1990, KK traveled with his wife and 2 young children across Europe busking, before returning to Iceland, where he has lived ever since. His discography includes notable albums such as Lucky One (1991), Gleðifólkið (1995), and Blús (2006). KK has received multiple accolades, including two Icelandic Music Awards, and has composed music for theater, television, and film. In 1992 he sang a duet with Björk, “Ó, borg mín borg,” on the album Bein Leið (1992). Recently Cat Power covered his song “I Think of Angels” for the Sean Penn movie Flag Day.
Featured Songs:
Originally from his 2008 album Svona era menn, “Hver liggur sefur” is a soothing Icelandic lullaby. Featured on our Café International collection, the song reflects on the calmness of sleep, the beauty of dreams, and the fleeting nature of life's joys and sorrows. “Who sleeps here / As one should / Like a sweet lullaby / Peace is so good / The night is blue / The stars shine through / Sleep well, sleep calm.”
The Scandinavia song, “Enn eitt tár” (One More Tear), originally from his 2008 album Svona eru menn, expresses deep sorrow and longing for someone who has passed, reflecting on the pain of their absence. Despite the darkness, the memory of the lost person is portrayed as a guiding light, offering a bittersweet sense of connection and solace: “Things are different and changed / What once was is now gone / You’re no longer here / Today, again, I shed a tear.”
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