Iceland review - 2019, Qupperneq 29

ground there, just in terms of understanding sounds
and systems. In fact, they say that having a good ear
for music can also help when studying languages and
vice versa.”
Ingibjörg’s talent for language and music seems to
be in some part inherited. Born to an Icelandic mother
and an Italian father, language was certainly a pre-
occupation in the household. But as she tells me, her
father came to Iceland in 1987 to study Icelandic, both
modern and old, and learned to speak by himself sur-
prisingly quickly. “He stayed silent for the first three
months of his stay and then one day, he just started
speaking Icelandic fluently.”
Going solo
With the release of Wood/Work on Icelandic indie label
SMIT records in 2017, Ingibjörg opened up a new chap-
ter in her life, one that she is keen on exploring further.
“I played all the instruments on Wood/Work and my
friend, musician Sigurlaug Gísladóttir, a.k.a. Mr. Silla
helped me record it.” The release was well received
and encouraged her to keep going.
“This month I’m planning on recording some more
music, but it’s unclear whether it’s going to be an EP or
an album or just one long piece.” She seems genuinely
excited by the prospect. “It’s funny to ask people to
help you with your own music after a long time of being
the person helping others achieve their vision, but it’s
great!”
Just recently, Ingibjörg was awarded with a
generous grant to the tune of ISK one million
($8,000/€7,300) by the Kristján Eldjárn Memorial
Fund, founded by the late guitarist’s family in the
wake of his untimely death in 2002.
“The money is going towards the recording of my
solo project. I also bought a nice bass amp and took
a little time off this summer, so the grant came at a
perfect time in my life. I’m very grateful.”
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“For the longest time I said yes to almost everything!
Now I’ve finally reached the luxury place where I can
afford to focus on a handful of projects and give
them my full attention.”