Further Information

Why I wrote this music.

I always compose my music with a storyline in mind. However it is not a story that consists of words. Sometimes it consists of memories or visual images but most often the story is driven by an abstract emotion that develops in texture and intensity, or two contrasting emotions that balance each other out.

Usually I write music for no special reasons, it is just something that I'm drawn to. I follow my instinct, trying not to filter myself too much and without deciding beforehand what the song is about. Then later I have an “a-ha” moment when I discover what the song is about which could be just after I wrote the song or 3 weeks later. That's how the songs on Nostalgia Machine were composed.

It was a great honour working with my friends and talented musicians on this album as well as the producer Matt Pierson who is one of the most successful producers in contemporary jazz having worked with Brad Mehldau and Pat Metheny.

The name of the album comes from how I experience music and I picture the Nostalgia Machine as a music time machine. The feeling I felt when I listened a lot to, or wrote a certain song is imprinted in the music and when I play or listen to it, the feelings come back. I'm teleported to that period of my life and what was happening at the time.

Meeting the band.

©Andrea Dagbjört

Sölvi Kolbeinsson; Alto Saxophone and clarinet
I met Sölvi in my teens when both of us were first getting really interested in jazz. We were playing in a group that is still really dear to us and he’s one of my oldest musical companion that I still play with.

Ingibjörg Elsa Turchi - Electric Bass
Ingibjörg plays bass on the album and was the latest addition to the group. After seeing her release concert, I asked her to check out some songs with me and Maggi that ended up on the album.

Magnús Trygvason Elíassen - Drums and percussion
Maggi was established on the scene when I was in my teens and plays in many bands ranging from pop to experimental music. I first met him when I played with him at a jam session when I was starting out which was really exciting.

Lilja María Ásmundsdóttir - Piano, keyboards, violin and electronics
Lilja is my sister. She’s two years older than me and we grew up together. We are really similar in a lot of ways but also really different. F.ex. when we were children Lilja was interested in visual arts and painting while I was interested in chess and mathematics. However, we both pursued music. She is currently undertaking doctoral studies in composition at City, University of London.

© Kristinn Ingvarsson

Mikael Máni Ásmundsson - Electric and acoustic guitar, composition.
I come from a musical family though neither of my parents play musical instruments. Both my sisters pursued a life in music, my dad ran a few record stores and a label and my mom was in charge of overseeing our musical upbringing. I remember the moment when I became obsessed with music. My dad was showing me a live Led Zeppelin album where Jimmy Page has a 3 minute guitar solo in the song Heartbreaker. I remember spending all my free time trying to learn that solo which I had to do because it was way too difficult, me having played for only a month.

After living and studying jazz guitar in Amsterdam from 2014-2018, I’m now living in the heart of Reykjavík, Iceland playing and making music.

Meet the people behind the Nostalgia Machine.

© Brynja Baldursdóttir

Matt Pierson - Production and editing. Chris Allen - Mix and mastering.
Matt is a producer who has worked a lot with one of my favourite artists, Brad Mehldau. He was excited to visit Iceland but because of Covid we ended up working together through the internet. Despite that, the process felt organic. I would send him recordings from rehearsals and we would talk about the music. After the recording, he chose the takes and sculpted the sound with Chris Allen.

Brynja Baldursdóttir - Artwork and design
Brynja is an artist who lives in Siglufjörður which is the most beautiful town in Iceland (in my opinion). Brynja is also my aunt and sometimes I get to visit her and stay at her place and hear stories from her life which are some of the most fascinating stories I have heard.

Birgir Jón Birgisson - Engineer
Biggi has recorded more than half of the albums I’ve played on. He always creates a great atmosphere with his relaxed yet focused vibe and great recording technique.

James van Zunderd- Vinyl mastering
To get the perfect sound for vinyl you need specific craftsmanship. James oversaw making the album sound alive for the vinyl.

Would you like to help?

In September 2020 me and my friends went to the studio to record my 2nd album. My favourite thing to do is composing music so from a big collection of songs, we chose 12 to record. The idea was to pick the best songs and cut the rest to make a neat 8 tune album but we ended up choosing 11. That means more music for you, but the problem with that however, is you can’t fit that much music on one vinyl record, you need at least two...

We’re going to release the album on CD but the dream is to release it on double vinyl. That’s why I am asking for your help to make this dream come true and share this music in the ideal way for you to experience the Nostalgia Machine.