Icelandic darkwave trio Kælan Mikla return with new single 'Stjörnuljós'
Mesmeric Icelandic darkwave trio Kælan Mikla return with their spellbinding new single 'Stjörnuljós', their first original material since 2021.
Watch the video for 'Stjörnuljós' here: https://youtu.be/9UtKIPS9sP4
Stream 'Stjörnuljós' here: https://orcd.co/stjornuljos
Laufey Soffia [vocals] comments: "'Stjörnuljós' marks a new beginning for Kælan Mikla. The song is an emotional rebirth for us, a journey though an unexplored world of sound. We’ve never made a song as close to our core and we’re finally ready to let it into the world."
The band continue: "We began working on this song last summer (2023) at Studio Silo in Stöðvafjörður, a remote fjord in eastern Iceland, where we spent 10 days crafting demos. The weather was consistently foggy and misty, so dense that we couldn’t see across the fjord and the sea and sky seemed to merge into an endless grey void. This haunting atmosphere deeply influenced our writing process, infusing it with the eerie beauty of nature."
'Stjörnuljós', translated as starlight, is about human connection, and how we take turns guiding each other through our darkest times. Self-produced by the band, it marks an exciting new chapter in the life of this incredible trio.
Kælan Mikla soar through the worlds of legends, fairy tales, magic and mysticism. Extraordinary soundscapes conjured by synths, dreamy vocals, screams and droning bass lines dominate and pull the listener ever deeper into the mythical world of Kælan Mikla.
The band, consisting of Sólveig Matthildur, Margrét Rósa, and Laufey Soffía, let the complex interplay of musical and visual experience play a key role in their stagings, captivating audiences with a unique blend of post-punk, goth, and dream-pop influences, evoking a moody, otherworldly atmosphere inspired by the darkened landscapes of their native Reykjavík.
The band first gained attention after winning a poetry slam competition, which led to them transforming their literary explorations into music. Their debut album, Mánadans (2014), introduced their signature atmospheric sound, and their subsequent albums, Kælan Mikla (2016), Nótt eftir nótt (2018), and Undir Köldum Norðurljósum (2021), showcased their progression into a darker, more refined sonic space.
Kælan Mikla’s ethereal live performances have earned them a dedicated international following, and they have embarked on several major tours with artists such as Ville Valo, Alcest, and Chelsea Wolfe, whose audiences resonated deeply with Kælan Mikla's atmospheric and intense stage presence. Their tour with Ville Valo was particularly significant, as it introduced them to a wider audience of gothic and rock enthusiasts, whilst touring with Chelsea Wolfe also aligned them with similarly dark, evocative acts, creating a synergy that made for unforgettable live experiences.
A key milestone in their career was their BBC Radio 1 Maida Vale session in 2023, which served to showcase their evocative sound to a broader audience and highlighted their growing international appeal. This milestone underscored their position as a key force in the darkwave movement, bringing Icelandic gothic soundscapes to the global stage.
At every stage, the forces of nature play a key role in Kælan Mikla's music, and the personification of their powers shine through. In their own words: “We look at Iceland's nature in the form of female figures who dominate the rugged landscape of lava, fog and cliffs. A powerful feminine energy ties the stories together in a balanced yet provocative way”.
The elegant lyricism of their poetry builds mountain peaks shrouded in mist and mystery. Kælan Mikla’s otherworldly force continues to profoundly inspire audiences through a cathartic realm of emotional exploration.
Kælan Mikla are:
Laufey Soffía - lead vocals
Margrét Rósa - bass, backing vocals
Sólveig Matthildur - synths, backing vocals, flute
For more:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaelanmikla
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kaelanmikla
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/28meEMqGpDrolyQ9OVoDAH?si=lvI9z5hSSDGgpvjB1Q6LoA
