Friday 5: Lay Low

Lovísa Sigrúnardóttir aka Lay Low has been called the Icelandic Patsy Cline. Her voice sounds like it could be right out of the American South and the music is country/americana with songs off her latest release, the Icelandic language album Brostinn Strengur, having an indie, trip hop twist. Lay Low graciously took a few minutes to answer some questions for the Friday 5.

When most people think of music in Iceland, I think they think of music like Bjork and Sigur Ros. How did you get interested in playing country music?

I collect old country vinyls, and one day I thought to myself it would be fun to do an album with that sound, the old Nashville 50’s, 60’s and 70’s sound. Next thing I know, I’m in a studio in London doing just that. I just like the vibe going on in country music but I’m picky in what country music I listen to, not so much the new commercial country, more into the older stuff or alternative sides. Country music has a piece of me, but I try and go as wide as I can in music genres. New material has more of a pshycadelic folk, alt-country, rock, indie flavor.

How do you feel about the comparisons to Patsy Cline?

I don’t think that I am anywhere near Patsy Cline singing wise, but I get the comparison with the sound, since I did an album that had a strong Nashville taste to it.

Lucinda Williams said you were the best young artists she has heard in years. How did that make you feel coming from a legend like her?

It was a very pleasant surprise to meet her at one of my concerts on my first US tour, she’s a great inspiration and very cool lady.

What is your favorite song to perform?

When I’m on my own I enjoy performing Horfið when I get people to help me out, by clapping and learning some Icelandic. When I’m with my band I love playing my very own classic, Please Don’t Hate Me. It’s a song that I have many different versions of, and it’s fun how easy it is to mix it up.

What’s in store for you in 2012?

I’m now writing and producing for a new album that I want to finish this year. It looks like I’ll have a summer of recording and listening to myself all day long. In the autumn I’ll get back on the road, playing and being thankful for how lucky I am to be living this music filled life.