THE LAUNCH BOX: Kaleo

Kaleo is a quartet from Mosfellsbær, Iceland. Their music has a very southern blues sound, inspired by a mix of blues, folk, country, and rock. Three of the members, Jökull Júlíusson (vocals, guitar), Davíð Antonsson (drums), and Daníel Ægir Kristjánsson (bass), began playing together as teenagers, and later added guitarist Rubin Pollock. The name Kaleo is a Hawaiian word that translates to “the sound.”

They made their live debut in 2012 at the Icelandic Airwaves music festival and recorded their first singles in 2013. Their live radio performance of the traditional Icelandic tune “Vor í Vaglaskógi” became a surprise regional hit and the video went viral in 2013.

Their self-titled debut went gold in their home country of Iceland, and having achieved five number one hits, they embarked on their first European tour. They released an introspective acoustic single, “All the Pretty Girls” in 2014, which became a turning point for the band.

Kaleo eventually relocated to Austin, Texas, where they began working on material for their next release and touring North America. 2015 saw the release of two successful singles, as the band found their footing in the States. “Way Down We Go” – from an episode of NBC’s Blindspot gave Kaleo nationwide exposure.

Also giving them nationwide exposure, was a promo spot for the song “No Good” which was featured on the trailer for the HBO series Vinyl.

Another single, “I Can’t Go on Without You,” arrived in early 2016. Their international debut album, A/B, was released later that summer.

They’re also on tour right now – passing through our neighboring state of Texas, playing a show with Bishop Briggs November 5th at the White Oak Music Hall in Houston!