Stuðmenn
were founded at Menntaskólinn Hamrahlið
in Reykjavik. Their debut album
"Sumar á Sýrlandi" became an
instant success on the market and critics
cheered the band frenetically as the
milestone of icelandic pop music.
After their second
album "Tivoli", which set new
records in sales, the band went on to
shoot the musical "Með allt á
hreinu", still the most successful
film in the history of Icelandic cinema.
Stuðmenn then released a book with their
graphic work and lyrics, before they went
on to do another film called "
Kókóstré og Hvítir Mávar" (Cool
Jazz and Coconuts), a cinematographical
and musical masterpiece. On their
promotiontour for that movie the Beatle
Ringo Starr joined the band on tour and
is a massive follower ever since. In 1986
Stuðmenn followed an invitation of the
Chinese Government for touring in China
as the first Western band (after Wham!,
who gave up after one concert), being
cheered in 12 major cities. After Jakob
Magnússon was appointed Cultural
Attaché at the Icelandic Embassy in
London, the members of the band turned to
their solo projects. Egill Ólafsson
stared in over 30 critically acclaimed
feature films, appeared in numerous
theatre playes and musicals besides his
work on his internationally praised solo
albums. Ragnhildur Gísladóttir achieved
outstanding reviews in Great Britain and
Germany on her albums " Ragga and
the Jack Magic Orchestra" and
"Ragga and the Human Body
Orchestra" and also appeared in
feature films, there among in "
Honour of the House" (along with
Egill Ólafsson), which was Iceland´s
entry for the "Oscar" in 1999.
In the same year Stuðmenn founded the
eco-campaign "Græni Herinn",
and Egill Ólafsson was chosen "best
singer" of the year. During the
celebrations of the New Millenium
Stuðmenn were choosen "the best
dance band of the decade". In 2001
their second book " Í bláum
skugga" with photos of concerts by
Thórarinn Ó. Thórarinsson and all the
lyrics was released, along with their
best-selling compilation "
Tvöfaldar Bítið". In 2002 the
band was invited to Scandinavia and
Germany, entertaining 35.000 people at an
Open Air Festival in Bavaria. In october
02 Studmenn celebrated their stage
anniversary and hold a special concert at
the Icelandic National Theatre, which was
live recorded. This very record, Á
Stóra Svidinu, hit gold shortly after
comming in the shops and sets an new
milestone in the quality and
entertainment of live music. In 2003 and
2004 the band toured Germany and Russia
with outstanding instant success and
signed a record deal with a well-renowned
german record label, releasing their
first international CD "Six Geysirs
& a Bird", which was shockwaving
the local media and press. Critics
cheered them as "the hidden gem of
good yet funny music". Studmenn
currently perform throughout Iceland,
have released two new records and have
completed and premiered their latest
movie "Í takt við tímann" by
dec. 2004, which set a new record on the
box offices in Iceland. In 2005 the film
will premiere in various countries, there
among Great Britain and Germany, and the
band will be touring the UK, Germany,
Russia and Japan.
And the band waggon
moves on...
For more informations,
press and reviews please contact info@studmenn.com or mail to booking@studmenn.com
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