Funi
FUNI - Traditional songs from
FUNI (an old Icelandic word meaning fire) are Bára Grímsdóttir and Chris Foster, consummate performers of the traditional songs of Iceland and England. They are both powerful solo singers, but when they sing together, especially in the unique Icelandic tvísöngur harmony style, the resulting blend of voices, enhanced by stunning musicianship and beautiful photographic projections, is a spell binding mix.
Bára and Chris have been working together since 2000. They have pioneered the blending of English finger style guitar, with kantele to accompany the modal melodies of Icelandic traditional song. They also both play and are actively promoting the revival of Iceland’s two traditional instruments the Íslensk fiðla and the langspil.
Since 2001 Bára and Chris have performed and taught at festivals, concerts, summer schools and on radio and TV in Belgium, China, Eire, Hungary, Netherlands, Norway and the USA as well as throughout Iceland and Britain. In 2009 they started the first degree level course on Icelandic traditional music at the Icelandic Academy of the Arts.
They released the acclaimed CD 'FUNI' in 2004. Their new CD/ep 'MAN EG' was releaseed May 2010. Chris' solo CD 'Outsiders' was a runner up in the fRoots magazine poll of 300 critics and broadcasters for the best Folk/World Music CD of 2008.
Bára and Chris are very experienced performers and workshop leaders who have toured extensively in Europe and North America and once in China.
They are happy to offer a variety of performance and workshop possibilities:
full length concerts – including dramatic displays of old and new photographs (programmes can be tailored to the venue’s particular interests)
workshops on group / choir singing, Bára and Chris’ Icelandic Harmony Singing Workshops have been a big hit with participants of all ages at festivals and summer schools in the UK and USA.
instrumental workshops on guitar, langspil and Íslensk fiðla
workshops on arranging songs for both group singing and instrumental accompaniment
workshops on narrative song styles from the British and Icelandic traditions, ballads, rímur & vikivaki
shared, themed & song swap sessions with singers from other traditions
Bára and Chris are always pleased to respond to new ideas from promoters and organisers.
FUNI LIVE
Singly, each singer is a great presenter of the music of a native island, but as a duo with great skill and musicality, they transform the music of their islands into universals.
review of 'FUNI' concert for the Folk Society of Greater
Bára Grímsdóttir and Chris Foster, quite frankly were something else! Their work is an authoritative mixture of Icelandic and English traditional singing and music... and it's as good as it gets! “They are just wonderful!”
Keith Kendrick, reviewing Funi in concert, England. September 2008
“I would be happy to speak with any venue or promoter in support of hiring Funi”
Chris Foster and Bára Grímsdóttir were stellar members of our teaching and performing faculty in the summer of 2004, 2005 and 2008. The duo's performances both on festival stages and in workshops were top-notch and well-received. I would be happy to speak with any venue or promoter in support of hiring Chris and Bára.
Walt Michael, Executive Director Common Ground on the Hill, Maryland, USA
FUNI CD
It's not ever day that an unfamiliar, yet readily accessible new tradition comes along, so check this out.
Nick Beale reviewing the FUNI CD in fROOTS magazine
“Funi puts the Icelandic folk music culture on the map of world music.”
Funi is a magnificent album, not only because of the music, but also because of the excellent lyrics and introductions to the songs in a folding digipak and 36 page booklet filled abundantly with old photographs. Funi is not only a feast for the eye, but also for the ears…. the CD remains fascinating from beginning to end.
Marius Roeting, New Folk Sounds magazine, Netherlands
| Email: | funi.reykjavik@gmail.com |
| Song: | Click here to download a song in mp3 format |
| Manager: | Bára Grímsdóttir |
| Booking Agent: | Chris Foster |