Ólöf Arnalds: No.1 Of 10 Bands To Watch At SXSW!

Singer-songwriter Ólöf Arnalds has been named No. 1 in a top ten list of "bands to watch" at this year's South By South West (SXSW) Music and Media Conference in Austin, Texas. The article, which ran on the Alternative Music section of About.com said that "Ólöf Arnalds got some much-belated recognition recently when her first record, Við og Við, finally found a North American release. Initially issued in Iceland in 2007, Arnalds' debut dwelled in ill-deserved obscurity for years, but, slowly, loving listeners uncover a hidden gem that was, truly, one of the best LPs of the '00s. 
This touring member of múm and pal of Sigur Rós makes magical, miniature, seemingly-centuries-old folksongs that set her glorious voice to solitary ukulele, guitar or violin in a sublime study in musical elementalism. And, wonderfully, after SXSW is done, Arnalds will finally follow-up Við og Við with her second set, Innundir Skinni, at some point in 2010."

Now in its 24th year, SXSW has grown into one of the must-attend networking events for the 21st century music industry. Showcasing nearly 2000 musical acts from around the globe at over 80 stages in downtown Austin, SXSW registrants get a first-look at tomorrow's stars. By day, managers, labels, promoters, press, internet media outlets, artists and other business professionals conduct business in the SXSW Trade Show. Conference registrants also partake in a full agenda of provocative, informative panel discussions and celebrity interviews featuring hundreds of speakers of international stature. 

Iceland's very own Seabear has also been confirmed for this year's event. You can find more info about the festival on the SXSW website: http://sxsw.com