Svavar Knutur

We are delighted to welcome Svavar Knútur to Hilltop Live. The Icelandic troubadour and storyteller has dedicated his life to exploring the human condition through the lens of his country's dark and often tragic history, unique melodies and narrative style. Maia Eden will support.

“A night with Svavar will bring you to hell and back, and you’ll be smiling and laughing all the way.” - Pete Uhlenbruch, Australian musician .

Channeling the angst ridden serenity of long dark winters and the insomnia of the 24 hour glaring summer sun, this eclectic musician has in recent years blossomed into a sublime singer and songwriter. Svavar Knutur's songs of misery and redemption deliver a healthy dose of hope in the midst of despair. A humoristic storyteller and avid diver into the murky waters of the human condition, Svavar Knútur sows and reaps a unique mixture of art and entertainment.

Drawing upon a wide range of influences, three of Svavar Knutur's most governing ones are without doubt Nick Drake, Will Oldham (Bonnie Prince Billy) and Kris Kristofferson, although such artists as Leonard Cohen, Cat Stevens, Joni MItchell, Nick Cave and many more singer/songwriters have contributed to the icelandic troubadour's development.

Svavar has released a swathe of studio albums in English and Icelandic, including the two-part 'AHOY!', the final part of Svavar Knútur's “Songs of misery and redemption,” a cartographic journey through the seas of grief and recovery.

He is also the first recipient of the Anna Pálína Árnadóttir memorial award for folk music excellence in Iceland. The award was in recognition for Svavar’s continued exploration of new waters in modern folk music both lyrically and musically, a tireless effort to bring older folk music to young audiences and for his continous work on helping out young and emerging artists.

He has in the recent years toured Australia, the U.S.A., Canada, Great Britain and Europe extensively and is resolved to keep up the pace.

Let's give the man himself the last word: “I make broccoli music for people who like broccoli music.”

Maia Eden

Ever since she was a young girl growing up in Scotland, music has been Maia Eden's love and refuge. She started singing at a very young age and her unique voice was first evident when she joined the choir in her local church, where she mastered the art of harmonising. Her personal lyrics about life and love bring Jackson Browne to mind, while her unique voice is reminiscent of Natalie Merchant and K.D. Lang.

After a successful spell session singing in the 1990’s, song writing became a nightly routine as a single mother after putting her daughters to bed, developing the personal, confessional style that has become her trademark. But it took a few years for her to see herself as a solo performer, having started her performing career in bands including In Bob We Trust and Edenwood, the popular Lewes duo known for their striking harmonies.

Maia is will be performing songs from her first EP, New Horizons and introducing songs from her new EP, Little Triumphs

“Dreaminess, ethereal unique music with grace and a voice from the heart.” - Martyn Barker, music producer