If GDRN writes a song for Una Torfa, does it sound completely different than a song Una Torfa would compose for herself? Is a Mugison song still a Mugison song when Bríet sings it? Where do the characteristics of singer-songwriters lie, and what does it sound like if none of them write a song for themselves, but only for others?

The Singer-Songwriter Relay takes place in such a way that one singer-songwriter composes a song that the next singer-songwriter in the relay performs. The performer then writes a song for the next in line, and so on. Participants can either perform the song solo and unaccompanied or make use of a band that will also be on stage. However, the rules of the relay state that the composer of the song may not participate in its performance. In this way the project explores where the signature traits of a songwriter lie and how the performer's own identity comes through in the interpretation.

At the starting line this year are: Jón Jónsson, Mugison, Bríet, KK, Elín Hall, Bjarni Daníel, GDRN and Una Torfa. They will take off in Norðurljós Hall at Harpa on Tuesday evening, October 7 at 8 PM, passing the baton until they’ve gone full circle.

The Singer-Songwriter Relay is the opening concert of the State of the Art festival. The festival takes place October 7.-12. in various venues around Reykjavík. You can purchase tickets to individual concerts or a festival pass that grants access to all the festival’s events.