Chanteuse

Jófríður Ákadóttir, 11 October 2012, Faktorý, Rekjavík

I had gone into the club a little early, wandering upstairs during the sound check. The singer, without makeup and still in her street clothes, was demonstrating to the computer operator how she wanted a musical transition to flow. Her body was the instrument and it did indeed flow in natural movements. After watching for a few minutes, the sound man came over and motioned for me to leave.

I came back when the club was officially open, got my drink and headed for a dark corner off the right side of the stage. The singer was with the opening act, now dressed and made up for the show. It wasn't exactly the kind of music I usually enjoy, but it was good: moody, atmospheric, mysterious, drenched in echo; a dream realized. The singer’s movements seemed to reflect an internal struggle, as if she were holding herself together to keep from dissolving in the music. As the trio continued to play the noisy crowd quieted a bit and I became thoroughly enchanted.