Earlier this month we spoke to Þuríður Blær Jóhannsdóttir, an actress and singer in one our favourite Icelandic groups Reykjavíkurdætur (Daughters of Reykjavik). Now we speak to another member of the group, Karítas, who is working on a new solo album. She tells us more about the album, how you can support her making it, growing up in Borgarfjörður, and recommends some of the best places to visit in Reykjavik!

Tell us who you are and what is your sound?

Hello there, my name is Karítas Óðinsdóttir and I go by the artist name KARÍTAS. I am a singer, songwriter and a DJ. I’m also a part of the rap collective Reykjavíkurdætur. My music can be described in short as dark pop.

What exciting projects have you got coming up?

Very exciting stuff coming up! I’m releasing a new single on the 27th of November and it’s the second single off my debut LP. Hopefully, if everything goes as planned, the LP will be released in the beginning of 2021. To help speed up the process, I launched a crowdfunding site on Karolina Fund! If you would like to support and donate, you can do it there!

Where did you grow up and what music influenced you?

I grew up in the countryside of Iceland in Borgarfjörður with my parents and seven siblings. Yes, you read correctly, seven siblings. I was mostly influenced by what they were listening to and I used to borrow (ok sometimes without permission) their cd’s, run off to my room and listen to them on my little boombox. What sticks out the most from my childhood was listening to Christina Aguilera, Lauryn Hill, Wu-Tang, Skunk Anansie, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Gwen Stefani. She was my idol and I was obsessed with No Doubt. I also listened to Limp Bizkit’s album Chocolate Starfish a lot. But now when I think about it, mayyybe it wasn’t the most appropriate music for a 9 year old haha.

What cool places do you recommend to visit in your city (bars, restaurants, etc)?

Here are a few of my favourite places:

Prikið for great music, great food and great people!
Matbar for fancy dinner, they have so many vegan options it’s sooo good.
Sundhöll Reykjavíkur is a super nice swimming pool and located downtown.
Brauð&Co is my favourite bakery, they have vegan buns to die for and the sourdough bread is just ridiculous.
Húrra Reykjavík if you need clothes or fresh kicks!
Bíó Paradís if you want to see a movie.
Götumarkaðurinn if you want dinner but can’t decide but that’s fine since they have 3 separate kitchens so there’s a lot to choose from.
Flatey – hands down the best pizza in Reykjavík.
Lúna Flórens – such a beautiful little coffee place filled with crystals and flowers.
Kaffibarinn – great place for dancing all night, oh man I miss going out dancing.

I’m definitely forgetting something..

We love recommendations! What have you been listening to, watching, or reading recently?

Lana del Rey is my ultimate favourite, I loooove her. The artists I’m also currently listening to are Connan Mockasin, Cocteau Twins, SAULT, Ariel Pink, Bicep, Christine and the Queens, Dean Blunt, Kurt Vile, Tirzah AND my girls in Ultraflex just released a killer debut album, so make sure you check them out!

Finally, what was the last thing that made you swear out loud?

I am very easy to startle and the last thing that made me swear out loud was when I was doing the dishes with my headphones on and my brother snuck up on me, I believe the phrase used was “holy shit”.

Interview by Alex Minnis

If you would like to support Karitas with her new album follow the link HERE