NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – While Bjork may be Iceland’s best-known musical export, a four-part rock band is making waves in the U.S. with its bluesy rock sound.
Growing up in the on the island populated by volcanoes, Kaleo’s lead singer JJ Julius Son dreamed of the American South.
“I think American music influenced me more than other people my age who maybe didn’t connect as much,” the 26-year-old said during a recent interview in Nashville, Tennessee, where the four-member band recorded their first U.S. album for Atlantic Records called “A/B”. “I am very influenced by music from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s as many people can probably hear. And then all the way back to the ’30s and the Delta Blues.”
The band, whose members are in their mid-20s, released their self-titled debut album in Iceland in the fall of 2013.
“It all happened really quickly,” the singer said. “We released an Icelandic song in spring of 2013 and that just really took off and was the most played song on radio that year.”