Hi! I am from the United Kingdom and the other month I was in a discount record store and acquired this album for just £1. I love how it sounds, I particularly like tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10. The songs are very catchy even if I do not understand the lyrics.
I was wondering if anyone in Iceland knows more about this album or the band that made it. Are they popular/well known in Iceland? What is their story? Are they still making music now? Any information about them would be greatly appreciated, and either way well done on some stellar music! Much love <3
https://i.redd.it/3h07nzs8cecg1.jpeg
Posted by shads_r
7 Comments
The band is Ríó Tríó, one of the most famous Icelandic bands of all time. Some of the members have passed away
Very famous in Iceland. One of my dads favorites. The man holding the contrabass was murdered by his own son some years back. The man in centre passed away recently. His son is active in the music scene.
Snorri Helgason or Sprengjuhöllin, can look that up for the son.
I’m not an expert but I grew up knowing them and have always liked their music so here’s something:
Ríó Tríó started as a folk-trio in the 60s and were quite popular from the start and well into the 70s. This iteration is from their ‘comeback’ in the 80s, and features one of Iceland’s most beloved songwriters of the late 20th century, Gunnar Þórðarson, who had previously worked with the band behind the scenes.
Their lyrics are widely considered among the best in Icelandic music history, a lot of them putting a humorous spin on tough subjects.
Fun fact: Helgi Pétursson (red shirt on this cover) was voted the sexiest man in Iceland in the 70s and had a prominent media career in the 80s and 90s.
One of them was my dentist, but he died. Now I have a new dentist.
here is a great page with information about icelandic music. the link is to a Google translated version [https://glatkistan-com.translate.goog/2015/07/20/rio-trio-2/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp](https://glatkistan-com.translate.goog/2015/07/20/rio-trio-2/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp)
The rough translation of the titles on that record (if I found the correct list that is)
1. Ekki vill það batna – It’s not getting better
2. Síðasti dans – Last dance
3. Það reddast – It’ll be fine (This is the icelandic motto btw)
4. Með fulla lest – With a full cargo
5. Ástfanginn – In love
6. Dýrið gengur laust – Animal on the loose
7. Bjartsýni – Optimism
8. Er það nú sumar – What a summer (commonly said when the summer weather is horrid)
9. Ellilaunin – The pension
10. Létt – Light/easy
Don’t know much but I love their song Romm og kókakóla. It’s about Icelanders going to a warmer country like Spain to drink and sunbathe 😎