SúEllen marks four decades with new album and book

The East Iceland band SúEllen is marking a milestone with a new album and a book about its history, Morgunblaðið reports. The group’s members first began planning an album 40 years ago.

Singer Guðmundur R. Gíslason and bassist Steinar Gunnarsson founded the band in 1983, when they were 13 and 14. Drummer Jóhann Geir Árnason joined soon afterwards, and all three have remained in the group ever since. The current lineup also includes guitarist Bjarni Halldór Kristjánsson and keyboardist Jóhann Ingvarsson.

The new album, titled Stórir draumar, is being celebrated at a concert on Friday at Ægir 220, a venue in Hafnarfjörður. Faroese musician Marius Ziska will appear as a special guest. SúEllen is also due to play in Akranes on Saturday at the Heima-Skaga music festival.

The band has released the album’s title track, while the full record has yet to appear on streaming services. The members recorded it together in a studio, aiming to capture the enjoyment of playing as a group. They describe the music as pop and rock, the style they are known for.

The book, also titled Stórir draumar, is nearing completion. Written by the band members with help from writer Guðmundur Andri Thorsson, it will include the album’s lyrics, the band’s history and stories from its career.

Keeping the band going has meant working across distances. Two members live in Neskaupstaður, one in Akureyri and two in the capital region. Gíslason said shared memories and a deep friendship have kept them together, along with the continued interest in their music and invitations to perform at music and family festivals.