Lúpína is redefining the Icelandic music landscape with her global yet authentic sound. Nína Solveig Andersen, known by her stage name lúpína, burst onto the music scene with her debut single in autumn 2022. Since then, this Icelandic sensation has been enchanting listeners with her distinct Scandi pop sound, characterized by its Icelandic lyricism and genre-blending creativity. Her early 2023 release, ‘ringluð’, and the autumn 2024 album ‘marglytta’ have solidified her reputation as a daring and innovative artist.
Ahead of her set at Iceland Airwaves, Lúpína curates a playlist for Schön! and divulges in some rapid-fire questions.
Hey Lúpína! What are you up to right now?
Hey! I’m actually in a hotel room in Brazil right now, soon on my way to the beach. My brother got married here a few days ago and the family and friends are enjoying the sun for a few extra days before we head back to the north.
If someone asked you what your origin story was, how would you describe it?
I grew up in Reykjavík with my two older brothers, an Icelandic mom and a Norwegian dad. I have played the violin since I was six. I’ve always enjoyed drawing, painting, knitting, sewing, and everything I can be creative with. I formed a band with my friends in my teenage years and then moved to Norway right after graduating high school to study songwriting and music production. That led me to release my solo music and now I’m enjoying being young and creative and trying to not worry too much about real grown-up life, at the same time as I’m trying to live it.
Describe your style in 3 words.
Flowy, colourful, fun.
What is the most precious thing in your wardrobe?
Hmm, I was in Seattle a few weeks ago and thrifted this beautiful skirt that I really like. I might actually wear it on my Airwaves gig; it bounces in a really fun way. It is pink and black and has many layers of this really light and fluffy pink fabric, super fun.
Which living person do you most admire?
Greta Thunberg.
What was the last book you read?
“DJ Bambi” by Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir.
What is your favourite thing to do in Iceland?
Go to Sund (the local swimming pools in Iceland). They are so nice and warm and I always meet some nice people there and get to relax and enjoy the moment.
If you could play any venue, which one would it be?
Oh, good question. Maybe some church with a nice acoustic, and some colourful windows, I don’t know where that church is but maybe someone can book me a gig there. Or to have a more specific answer, Eldborg (the big red hall in Harpan, the big glass concert house by the harbour in Reykjavík) would be pretty cool.
Where are you happiest?
Probably when I’m in the studio. When I get into “the zone” and I just create and play around with ideas and have so much fun that I even forget to pee and eat.
If you had an hour to spend with anyone from history, who would it be and why?
It would be cool to get to spend some time with film composer Jóhann Jóhannsson. We are closely related but I never got the chance to have a good chat with him. We don’t have many people pursuing music in my family so it would be really interesting to talk to him about music.
If someone had a free day in Iceland, what places do you recommend they visit?
Vesturbæjarlaug is my favourite swimming pool in Reykjavík, I would recommend going there. Or just take a walk around the city centre and the lake (Tjörnin).
Who would play you in the story of your life?
Probably me!
What’s one song that you’d like to listen to the first time again?
I still remember the first time I listened to “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish. I was in quarantine in the summer of 2021 and I was so surprised and mindblown by the energy rise in the song. It would be cool to relive that moment (without the quarantine though!)
An underrated song/artist you love?
I’ve been listening a lot to the album “intet så rigtigt” by a Danish band called Yör. I think my favourite song from that album is “Dørtelefon” but it’s hard to choose.
The track that describes your coming-of-age story?
“Slow Down” – Laufey
An album that you’d put in a time capsule?
“My 21st Century Blues” – RAYE
A lyric that you love and the song it’s from?
“Vertu úlfur – Titillag” – Emilíana Torrini
“Af hverju býr hjartað ekki í höfuðkúpu
Og heilinn hvílist við sefandi lungu?
Þá myndi rigna yfir heilann ástarhjúpur
Og kæla þetta sviðna hugarangur.”
A track that reminds you of a happy moment?
“Svefneyjar” – Sykur
An Icelandic artist or song you’re obsessed with?
“Engin spurning” – Una Torfa
A song that you discovered recently that you love?
“Girl, so confusing featuring lorde” – Charli xcx, Lorde
Best record to get you out of a funk?
“(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” – Aretha Franklin
What’s the last song you searched for on Spotify?
“fra en annen virkelighet” – ULD
A song you wish you wrote?
“Hringsól” – Ásgeir
Iceland Airwaves takes place from the 7th – 9th November 2024, tickets and travel packages are available now in partnership with Icelandair.
photography. Magnus Andersen
