About Iceland Music Export:

It’s difficult to think of Iceland without thinking of superlative music. From Björk and The Sugarcubes, Sigur Rós, múm and Mugison and many other classical, jazz, folk and pop artists, this small and remote North Atlantic nation has punched well above its weight over the last two decades.

If anything, the island’s incessant soundtrack is growing ever more dynamic, as artists and bands, inspired by the continual international success of their peers, continue to create original, world class music.

IMX was initiated by Samtónn, an umbrella organisation of rights holders societies, in partnership with governmental and private funds in November 2006. The aim is to bring together the disparate strands of Iceland’s eclectic scene under one roof. By increasing access to information about artists, collaborating with companies to promote Icelandic music abroad and organizing marketing strategies, festival and event participation, IMX will increase the visibility of Icelandic music in the international sphere, and provide an essential one-stop resource for all interested parties.

IMX will achieve its ends via a multi-strategy approach that includes building accessible, comprehensive databases, promoting Icelandic labels, bands and events, providing information on Icelandic music to markets and the media, and encouraging and helping Icelandic bands, PRs and record labels participate in events and festivals around the world.

IMX runs two websites. The Iceland Music Export website, www.icelandmusic.is, is in English and focuses on introducing Icelandic music, artists, labels, festivals, gigs abroad etc. The ÚTÓN website, www.uton.is, is in Icelandic and is targeted towards Icelandic musicians and the Icelandic music industry. The site runs information about educational nights, deadlines to apply for showcase festivals, information on grants etc.