Raufarhólshellir
In Iceland we have about 700 lava tubes. Raufarholshellir is one of the longest and the biggest. 5200 years ago, during the eruption of Leiti (in Blafjall), flowing lava has built up this tunnel. The sound was collected during the winter, when the floor is covered with “ice stalagmites” that are singing in the raindrops.
Laugavegur Trail: Black desert
Right before entering the black desert of the Icelandic interior, we had to cross the glacial river and few other smaller streams. At that point, I did not know we are seeing the water for the last time – then next several hours of walking was just black sand and wind. I can say, that […]
Noise From The Volcano: Meridalur
It wasn’t easy to get up at 4 a.m. after just 4 hours of sleep and go for a hike. It was worth it though: by the volcano, just a few people, everyone quietly enjoying the majesty of the nature. We were sitting like, in the cold and in the rain, but mesmerized by this […]
Laugavegur Trail: Þorsmörk (Thorsmork)
One of my favorite sounds from the Laugavegur trail is this one. Going down to Þorsmörk, our last stop, we first heard birds, then we saw sheep. After spending two days in the wilderness of the Icelandic highlands, hearing and seeing the animals was downright touching. It also meant that we would reach our destination […]
The sound of Fagradalsfjall volcano – August 2022
In the meantime, you can also check out the sounds from the last year’s eruption – no drones and helicopters there 🙂 And the sound of flowing lava You probably wonder, what is the sound of the current eruption in Iceland. It is powerful, impressive and very pristine. I recorded it from the distance so […]
Laugavegur Trail: Day 1 – Landmannalaugar
The Laugavegur Trail – 55 kilometers between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk – is one of the most popular trails in Iceland, and has been named by National Geographic as one of the most beautiful trails in the world. Its origin, Landmannalaugar, is part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. We take our first steps on the lava […]
Noise From Iceland with Ryuichi Sakamoto and Andri Snaer Magnason
Icelandic writer Andri Snær Magnason and Kaśka Paluch of Noise From Iceland represent Reykjavík at the 59 Venice Biennale in a new project by the Japanese collective Dumb Type, which includes Oscar-winning and Grammy-winning composer Ryūichi Sakamoto. Field recordings present, among others, Faxaflóahafnir harbour, Laugavegur street and Lake Tjörnin. Andri, who invited me to this […]
Heimaey: Vikin black sand beach
I think I can now share with you the information that I am starting work on a new idea – a sound map and an album dedicated to one of the most mysterious – in my opinion – places in Iceland: Heimaey island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. It has a dark history – in 1973 […]
The Puffins
To record the singing of puffins, you have to go to the other end of Iceland – to the town of Borgarfjörður eystri. It is a fjord far to the northeast, and is a full day’s drive from Reykjavik. Altogether, with a few other places, it was 1500 kilometers in two and a half days, […]
On time and water, on sound and language
Talking about ecology – as Andri Snær Magnasson notes – needs a language that has not yet been developed. Field recordings are an increasingly visible way of documenting life. Contrary to appearances, both issues have more in common in the context of climate change. I think about it when reading “On Time and Water”. I […]
