In the SPOTlight: Lay Low

From Reykjavik to Aarhus via Sri Lanka…

Lay Low is the stage moniker of the Icelandic singer/songwriter Lovísa Elísabet Sigrúnardóttir. Born in London to a Sri Lankan father and Icelandic mother, Lay Low’s musical abilities draw influences from her remarkably wide geographical heritage. We recently caught up with her and took the opportunity to ask her – among others – about her upcoming SPOT perfomance:

When did you start playing music and why?

- I started out playing music when I was young, piano lessons that my mother sent me to, then in my teens I turned to guitar and bass. But it wasn’t untill I was 23 that I started writing my own music and performing as Lay Low.

The lyrics of your third album “Brostinn strengur” are based on poems: “harnessing the energy of Icelandic female poetry over the last 150 years.” How did this idea come about?

- I found a beautiful poem that I really like in an old poem book that my friend owned. I wanted to learn it by heart so I sat down and wrote a song, and then I found another poem… and another… and so on. So I decided to do a whole album with this theme. Hoping to inspire myself and others with these lovely poems.

What are the topics/themes you deal with in your lyrics?

- A lot of my lyrics are about relationships, good and bad, feelings and self-examination.

Five albums that have inluenced you:

PJ Harvey – Rid of Me
Susan Christie – Paint A Lady
Townes Van Zandt – Townes Van Zandt
Feist – Let it Die
Benny Crespo’s Gang – Benny Crespo’s Gang

You were born In London to a Sri Lankan father and Icelandic mother.
How has this shaped your musical identity?

- I don’t really know, but i think having two very different families has surely shaped me as a person.

When your music career is over, how would you like people to remember you?

- Even though I might not always have a musical career, I really hope I’ll always be making or performing music in some sort of a way.

What should we expect from your SPOT performance?

- You will hear me play some old, some new and some new arrangements. My first time playing at SPOT so I’m looking forward to it! I’ve heard it’s a great festival.

What are your plans after SPOT Festival?

- Record a new album and start working on some exciting tour plans with the release of it…