Neurosurgeon Astradsson Releases Debut Album!
June 14, 2012 at 4:39pm
Who says neurosurgeons can't be stars of the music world? Not us. We're all for it - and we're pleased to say that Arnar Astradsson, neurosurgeon and songwriter, is releasing his first album - the appropriately titled 'State Of Mind'.
The album, described as being of the ambient pop persuasion, contains 10 original songs by Arnar, most of which are sung in English by guest artists, but others are instrumental and feature Reykjavik-born Arnar's own piano-playing skills.
Arnar completed his medical degree at the University of Iceland and trained in neurosurgery in Denmark and England and in neuroscience research in the United States. He now works at the department of neurosurgery at the National Hospital (Rigshospitalet), in Copenhagen.
Arnar took piano lessons at the Folk Music School in Aarhus, Denmark and the Icelandic Musicians Society’s Music School, the New Music School and the Reykjavik Music School in Iceland for several years. He’s been writing songs since childhood. He played with garage bands and school bands in his youth, and has written a number of songs over the years for various occasions.
Arnar in fact made it to the finals in the Icelandic pre-selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 with the song "My One And Only" which was performed by Erna Hrönn Ólafsdóttir, who also features on this album.
Other artists who lend their magic to 'State Of Mind' include Hjálmfrídur Thöll Fridriksdóttir (a.k.a Frida Fridriks, Danish artist Trine Jepsen, US violinist Roland Hartwell and Icelandic multi-instrumentalist Hjörtur Blöndal.
The disc is released by the Danish-Icelandic record company Arctic Rock. We hear that the album will be released in Scandinavia in August, and a distribution agreement with Warner Music Denmark has just been reached for exclusive distribution in Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
Check it out right here.