(Artist Report)

Written by: Ginny Gaines 

Kaleo’s story begins in a small town in Iceland called Mosfellsbær. Long before they were playing sold-out shows around the world, a few teenage friends were simply hanging out, making music, and learning how to play together. They didn’t come from a big music city or a famous scene, just a quiet place where creativity mattered more than attention. At the center of the band was Jökull “JJ Julius Son” Júlíusson, whose deep, powerful voice didn’t sound like it belonged to someone so young. Alongside him were his longtime friends Davíð Antonsson on drums and Daníel Ægir Kristjánsson on bass. When guitarist Rubin Pollock joined, Kaleo became a full band, and they chose a name that meant “the sound” or “the voice”—which fit perfectly, because JJ’s voice quickly became impossible to ignore.

Their first big break came at Iceland Airwaves, a music festival that often launches local artists. Not long after, Kaleo recorded a cover of an old Icelandic folk song called “Vor í Vaglaskógi.” The song took off on national radio and made people across Iceland stop and pay attention. Suddenly, this young band wasn’t just another local act, they were becoming something special. In 2013, Kaleo released their first album in Iceland. It was a hit at home and even went gold, which is a big deal in a small country. But the band had bigger dreams. They wanted to see how far their music could travel.

That chance came when they caught the attention of a major American record label. In 2015, Kaleo packed up and moved from Iceland to Austin, Texas, a huge change in scenery. Iceland’s cold landscapes were replaced by hot Texas nights, and that shift seeped into their sound. They leaned harder into blues, rock, and gritty guitar music, inspired by classic American artists but filtered through their own style. Then came the song that changed everything: “Way Down We Go.” It was dark, moody, and built around JJ’s booming voice. The song climbed to the top of the alternative charts, played nonstop on the radio, and showed up in TV shows, movies, and commercials. People who had never heard of Kaleo suddenly knew exactly who they were.

Their 2016 album A/B followed, and it confirmed that Kaleo wasn’t a one-hit wonder. The record mixed loud, foot-stomping rock songs with quiet, emotional ballads. It sold over a million copies worldwide, landed them on major festival stages, and earned them a Grammy nomination. For a band that started in a small Icelandic town, it was a massive leap. Touring became a way of life. Kaleo played everywhere, North America, Europe, and beyond, winning over crowds with intense live shows that felt raw and honest. JJ’s voice, even more powerful onstage, became their calling card.

After years on the road and a long creative process, Kaleo released Surface Sounds in 2021. The album showed them experimenting more, blending blues rock with modern production while still staying true to their roots. In 2025, they released Mixed Emotions, an album that lived up to its name. It explored loneliness, restlessness, love, anger, and reflection—feelings that came from years of touring and growing up in the public eye. By this point, Kaleo had billions of streams, dozens of gold and platinum records, and a reputation as one of Iceland’s most successful musical exports.

Today, Kaleo stands as a band that crossed borders without losing its identity. They took the raw emotion of blues, mixed it with rock energy and Icelandic soul, and turned it into music that speaks to people everywhere. From a small town to the world’s biggest stages, Kaleo’s journey is proof that powerful music doesn’t need a flashy beginning, just honesty, hard work, and a voice worth hearing.

That will do it for this report on Kaleo. Thank you for reading!! In closing, please just know, Soundwave Music Media will be here and I will always do my best to bring you the rock music report! Please consider supporting me and the crew by purchasing a Soundwave shirt or hat and support our sponsors! Until next time... Rock on friends🤘

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