Kjartan Sveinsson

Kjartan Sveinsson
Kjartan Sveinsson playing Hoppípolla with Sigur Rós at BBC2's Jools Holland in 2005
Background information
Born	2 January 1978 (1978-01-02)
Origin	Iceland
Genres	Post-rock
Instruments	Piano, keyboards, organ, flute, tin whistle, oboe, banjo, guitar, bass guitar, vocals
Years active	1998–present
Associated acts	Sigur Rós

This is an Icelandic name. The last name is a patronymic, not a family name; this person is properly referred to by the given name Kjartan.

Kjartan "Kjarri" Sveinsson (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈcʰar̥tan ˈsveinsɔn]; born 2 January 1978) is a keyboardist of the Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós. He joined the band in 1998. Being something of a multi-instrumentalist, he has also played such instruments as the flute, tin whistle, oboe and even the banjo, as well as many of the unorthodox instruments that contribute to Sigur Rós's distinctive sound. He also plays the guitar.

Kjartan has performed under the pseudonym "The Lonesome Traveller" with Sigur Rós band-mate Orri Páll Dýrason and Amiina violinist María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir (whom Kjartan married in 2001). "The Lonesome Traveller" covered Sigur Rós songs acoustically in an alt-country style.

Kjartan also composed the score for the 2005 Academy Award nominated short film Síðasti bærinn (The Last Farm), for award winning director Ramin Bahrani's 2009 short film Plastic Bag which features the narration of legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog, and for the 2009 film Ondine directed by Neil Jordan. Kjartan also contributes to Sigur Rós's orchestral and string arrangements, along with the group Amiina. He is also featured heavily on The Album Leaf's album, In a Safe Place, playing a wide variety of instruments.

Kjartan is a member of the advisory board for Kraumur Music Fund, which aims to "strengthen Icelandic musical life, primarily by supporting young musicians in performing and presenting their works."

On November 16, 2010, Kjartan Sveinsson performed in The Whitelight Festival, along with Jonsi & Alex and The Hilliard Ensemble. Kjartan composed Sonnets of his own, as well as the world premiere of his new piece entitled Credo. Credo is Latin for "I believe". The performance was streamed live on NPR's website.

On 17 April 2011, Q2 - a listener-supported, New York City-based Internet stream devoted to the music of living composers - along with NPR named Kjarten Sveinnson in a list of "100 Composers Under 40".