Icelandic indie-folk rock band, Of Monsters and Men sprung into this world in 2010 when the band won their country’s annual music competition Musiktilraunir. The band started with Nanna creating her own solo music as her own artist act, Songbird. She then entered the competition with three other members; her school mate Brynjar, and Raggi and Kristján. Raggi is the founder of the band’s name. Everyone else liked the name so it stayed. Once the band was final, they continued touring venues across Iceland and worked on their new songs. "we connect the name to some of our lyrics and we try to create stories with our songs, music and lyrics" says Nanna.
The band signed with Mixtape Records in February 2011 for their release of their debut album, My Head Is an Animal in September 2011. The album and the lead track, Little Talks hit No.1 in Iceland. Soon after, an EP titled Into the Woods was issued in December 2011, and an international release of their album followed in April 2012. The album became an international hit, charting throughout Europe and Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and hitting No.6 on the US Billboard and No.3 in UK. They toured throughout the world as well as appearing on major festivals and television. Glastonbury, Late night with Jimmy Fallon and The Graham Norton Show are only a few examples. In the spring of 2013, they showed a spot on Saturday Night Live. writing songs, Raggi and Nanna sometimes would come up with stories or situations. They don't usually like giving too much away. They like people to read their own things in the lyrics.
They began working on their new album in August 2013 and they officially began recording in November 2014. The album Beneath the skin was released in June 2015. It debuted at No.3 on US Billboard 200, selling 61000 copied in its first week becoming the band’s highest charting album. It also made its entry at No.10 on the UK Albums Chart. As part of the project for releasing their new album, the band has created lyric videos for each song on the album, starring a different person lip syncing to its lyrics making each song emotionally effective. Each video is in black and white, making it more sentimental. Growing up in Iceland; a cold country full of nature, has inspired ideas for them to create most of their songs. The track listing of the new album Beneath the skin includes tracks such as Crystals, Wolves without teeth, Hunger, Black water, We sink etc. Giving it an icy, dark feel to the album. "Not many Icelandic bands get to tour a lot outside of Iceland, so that alone is just mind-blowing for us." says Ragnar. "We're still excited and we look forward to touring even more".
(lead vocals, acoustic guitar, piano)
(Lead vocals, acoustic guitar, melodica, glockenspiel)
(lead guitar, baritone guitar, acoustic guitar)
(drums, percussion, melodica, glockenspiel, accordion)
Nanna was born on 6th May 1989 and was raised in Garður, a town in Iceland. As a child she attended music school. And before forming Of Monsters and Men, she had a solo musical project called Songbird. After recruiting five other musicians, and a week of working together, they won the annual music competition, Musiktilraunir.
Ragnar was born on 6th March 1987 and was raised in Garðabær. Her first guitar was at the age of 9, but she did not start playing until turning 17. She joined the band in 2010, and came up with the band name too.
Brynjar was born on 11th September 1990 and was raised in Keflavík. She joined Nanna’s solo project, Songbird in 2009, and joining the band at the same time. She has been taking flying lessons with his brother who is a pilot.
