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Of Monsters and Men

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"OMAM" redirects here. For the military airport in the United Arab Emirates with ICAO code OMAM, see Al Dhafra Air Base.
Not to be confused with Of Mice & Men or Of Men and Monsters.

Of Monsters and Men
Of Monsters and Men performing in 2015
Of Monsters and Men performing in 2015
Background information
OriginGarðabær, Iceland
Genres
WorksDiscography
Years active2010–present
Labels
Members
Past members
  • Árni Guðjónsson
Websiteofmonstersandmen.com

Of Monsters and Men is an English-language Icelandic indie folk/rock band formed in Garðabær in 2010.[7][8] It consists of lead singer and guitarist Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, singer and guitarist Ragnar "Raggi" Þórhallsson, lead guitarist Brynjar Leifsson, drummer Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson, and bassist Kristján Páll Kristjánsson.

The band has released four studio albums: My Head Is an Animal (2011), Beneath the Skin (2015), Fever Dream (2019), and All Is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade (2025). They achieved commercial success with their 2011 single "Little Talks", which reached the top 10 of the charts in several countries and no. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.[9]

In 2010, Of Monsters and Men won the Músíktilraunir, an annual Battle of the Bands in Iceland. They won the European Border Breakers Awards in 2013.

History

[edit]

2009–2010: Formation and early work

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Of Monsters and Men was formed when singer, guitarist, and pianist Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, who originally performed solo under the name Songbird, asked some friends to help her perform in 2010.[10] Within the first weeks of working together as a quartet consisting of Nanna on vocals and acoustic guitar, Brynjar Leifsson (electric guitar), Ragnar "Raggi" Þórhallsson (backing vocals, melodica, glockenspiel), and Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson (backing vocals, melodica, glockenspiel, tambourine), the band won Músíktilraunir, an annual music competition in Iceland. Raggi came up with the band name, as an allusion to reading fairytales and telling stories growing up.[11][12][13]

They were invited to perform at the 2010 Iceland Airwaves festival and added two more members, Árni Guðjónsson (accordion/keyboards, backing vocals) and Kristján Páll Kristjánsson (bass, backing vocals), to make the sound bigger for the show.[10][14]

Shortly thereafter, Seattle-based radio station KEXP recorded them performing the song "Little Talks" from Raggi's living room. The recording went viral in the United States, and the band credited this to the popularity of the English folk rock group Mumford & Sons at the time.[4]

2011–2013: My Head Is an Animal

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Main article: My Head Is an Animal
Of Monsters and Men performing in New York City in April 2012

Of Monsters and Men signed with Record Records in February 2011, and in March, they began recording their debut album at Studio Sýrland, in Reykjavík.[5] In August, Philadelphia's Radio 104.5 began playing their debut single, "Little Talks", and propelled the band to nationwide popularity.[15]

The finished album, My Head Is an Animal, was released in Iceland in September 2011, and it reached no. 1, as did "Little Talks".[16] With success in Iceland and growing popularity in the United States, the band signed with Universal Music Group for a worldwide release of the record.[17]

Of Monsters and Men released the EP Into the Woods in December 2011, which featured four songs from their debut album. They also issued My Head Is an Animal in the US in April 2012.[18][19]

In 2012, the band performed at the Newport Folk Festival,[20] Osheaga,[21][22] and Lollapalooza.[23] They also played at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.[24] On 5 October 2012, the group was featured on the PBS music show Sound Tracks: Music Without Borders, performing the song "Mountain Sound".[25]

In late 2012, Árni left the band, saying he didn't find it exciting playing "Little Talks" five times per day.[26]

Of Monsters and Men played at the first annual Boston Calling Music Festival in May 2013,[27] and the same year, they performed at Glastonbury Festival.[28]

Their song "Dirty Paws" was featured in the iPhone 5 introduction video, released in September 2012, as well as in the trailer for the 2013 film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.[29][30] "Sinking Man" was featured on The Walking Dead: Original Soundtrack – Vol. 1, released in March 2013, and "Silhouettes" was included in the The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack, which came out in November 2013.[31]

2014–2018: Beneath the Skin

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Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir in 2015
Main article: Beneath the Skin (Of Monsters and Men album)

Of Monsters and Men began working on a new album in August 2013,[32] starting the recording process in November 2014.[33] The album's first single, "Crystals", was released in March 2015.[34][35] The album, Beneath the Skin, came out in June 2015.[36][37] The artwork for the record and its singles was created by artist Leif Podhajsky.[38] In October 2015, the track "Thousand Eyes" was featured in the pre-season advertising for the TV series Jessica Jones.[39]

In 2015, the band toured North America.[30] The same year, they appeared in a cameo on the episodes "The Door" and "Blood of My Blood" of Game of Thrones, as stage musicians.[40][41]

In October 2017, Of Monsters and Men became the first Icelandic group to reach one billion streams on Spotify.[42]

2019–2023: Fever Dream and Tíu

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Main article: Fever Dream (Of Monsters and Men album)

In May 2019, Of Monsters and Men released "Alligator", the first single from their third album, Fever Dream, which came out in July.[43][44] The record was produced by Rich Costey.[45] It reached no. 1 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart.[46]

In July 2019, they released the single "Wild Roses".[47]

On 9 September 2020, the band unveiled the new single "Visitor", along with a music video.[48][49] This was followed by "Destroyer" in April 2021.[50]

At the 2022 Tribeca Festival, the band released the documentary Tíu ("ten" in the Icelandic language), a film celebrating the ten-year anniversary of My Head Is an Animal. It was directed by Dean DeBlois and featured the band playing songs outdoors in Iceland during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was accompanied by an EP of the same name.[51][1]

In December 2024, the band signed with Red Light Management.[52]

2025–present: All Is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade

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Main article: All Is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade

In July 2025, Of Monsters and Men issued the song "Television Love", their first original release in three years.[53] In August, the band previewed their new album, All Is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade, with the song "Ordinary Creature".[54][55] The record was released in October 2025.

Band members

[edit]

Current[56]

  • Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir – lead vocals, guitars, piano, organ (2010–present)[10]
  • Ragnar Þórhallsson – co-lead vocals, guitars, melodica, glockenspiel (2010–present)[10]
  • Brynjar Leifsson – lead guitars, melodica, tambourine, backing vocals (2010–present)[57][10]
  • Kristján Páll Kristjánsson – bass guitars, egg shaker, backing vocals (2010–present)[10]
  • Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson – drums, percussion, melodica, glockenspiel, accordion, keyboard, piano, acoustic guitar, backing vocals (2010–present)[10]

Past

  • Árni Guðjónsson – accordion, piano, organ, keyboards, backing vocals (2010–2012)[26][10]

Touring musicians

  • Ragnhildur Gunnarsdóttir – trumpet, accordion, keyboards, piano, floor tom, tambourine, backing vocals (2010–present)[4]
  • Steingrimur Karl Teague – piano, keyboards, organ, accordion, backing vocals (2012–present)[58]
  • Bjarni Þór Jensson – guitar, percussion, keyboards (2015–present)[58]
  • Sigrún Kristbjörg Jónsdóttir – trombone, percussion, accordion (2015–present)[58]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Of Monsters and Men discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Organization Nominated work Award Result
2012 MTV Video Music Awards "Little Talks" Best Art Direction Nominated
MTV Europe Music Awards Of Monsters and Men Best Push Act[59] Nominated
2013 ECHO Awards My Head Is an Animal Best International Newcomer Nominated
Best International Rock/Pop Group Nominated
Juno Awards "Little Talks" Video of the Year Nominated
Billboard Music Awards My Head Is an Animal Top Rock Album[60] Nominated
EBBA Awards European Border Breakers Award[61][62] Won
2015 Icelandic Music Awards Crystals Pop Song of the Year[63] Won
Of Monsters and Men Live Performer of the Year[63] Won
Beneath the Skin Pop Album of the Year Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Of Monsters and Men: 'TÍU' documentary". Icelandair. 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Of Monsters and Men | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic.
  3. ^ "Of Monsters and Men on World Cafe". NPR. 20 June 2012. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Mossman, Kate (12 August 2012). "Of Monsters and Men: 'We found we could bond better by telling each other fairytales'". The Guardian.
  5. ^ a b "Of Monsters And Men". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 April 2018.
  6. ^ Chepurny, Gabi (5 February 2013). "Universal Signs New Agreement with Republic's Monte and Avery Lipman". The Hollywood Reporter.
  7. ^ "Garðabær heiðrar Of Monsters and Men" [Garðabær honors Of Monsters and Men]. RÚV (in Icelandic). 10 January 2013.
  8. ^ Wehner, Cyclone (18 January 2016). "Making Records to Reflect the Seasons". The Music.
  9. ^ "Of Monsters and Men". Billboard.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h "Interview with Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir of Of Monsters And Men". Independent Philly.
  11. ^ Kaplan, Ilana (19 January 2012). "Discovery: Of Monsters and Men". Interview.
  12. ^ "2010". Músíktilraunir.
  13. ^ Walker, Sophie Leigh (11 December 2023). "Nanna, in full bloom". The Line of Best Fit.
  14. ^ Blistein, Jon (30 May 2012). "Watch Of Monsters and Men Play 'Animal' on the Roof". Billboard.
  15. ^ Stampone, David R. (4 April 2012). "Of Monsters and Men in exultant Philadelphia debut". Philadelphia Inquirer.
  16. ^ Schliep, Regina (5 November 2021). "Of Monsters and Men Reflect on the "Beautiful, Dark Forest" of My Head Is an Animal at 10". Consequence.
  17. ^ "Universal Signs Icelandic Band Of Monsters and Men". Iceland Review. 23 October 2011. Archived from the original on 10 December 2011.
  18. ^ Cole, Kevin (25 March 2012). "First Listen: Of Monsters and Men, 'My Head Is an Animal'". NPR.
  19. ^ Watson, Matthew J. (17 April 2012). "Icelandic Newcomers Rock House of Blues". The Harvard Crimson.
  20. ^ McEnerney, Charles (9 August 2012). "Folk Concert Review: Newport Folk Festival 2012". The Arts Fuse.
  21. ^ Mastrangelo, Dominick (9 August 2012). "Osheaga Festival – Day 1 review and pics (Sigur Ros, Florence, The Walkmen, Dum Dum Girls, Of Monsters and Men, & more)". BrooklynVegan.
  22. ^ "Osheaga 2012: Fun in the Sun, Mud and Rain". The Cornell Daily Sun. 9 August 2012.
  23. ^ Anderson, Kyle (6 August 2012). "Of Monsters and Men talk backstage at Lollapalooza 2012". Entertainment Weekly.
  24. ^ "It will be good to go back home, say Of Monsters and Men". BBC News. 29 August 2012.
  25. ^ "Sound Tracks: Music Without Borders 2". KPBS Public Media. 3 October 2012.
  26. ^ a b Logason, Frosti (5 September 2013). "Fannst ekki spennandi að spila Little Talks fimm sinnum á dag" [Didn't find it exciting to play Little Talks five times a day]. Vísir.is (in Icelandic).
  27. ^ Thomas, Ryan (7 June 2013). "Boston Calling 2013". The Line of Best Fit.
  28. ^ "Of Monsters and Men at Glastonbury 2013". BBC.
  29. ^ Reid, Joe (31 July 2013). "Trailer Tunes: 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' & 'Dirty Paws'". Tribeca Festival.
  30. ^ a b "New Album: Of Monsters and Men 'Beneath the Skin' June 9" (Press release). Universal Music Group. 17 March 2015.
  31. ^ Phares, Heather. "The Walking Dead: Original Soundtrack, Vol. 1". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014.
  32. ^ Baggs, Michael. "Of Monsters & Men to start new album in August". Gigwise. Archived from the original on 16 June 2014.
  33. ^ Balitin, Steve. "Of Monsters and Men Preview Tracks from Long-Awaited Sophomore Album at L.A. Listening Session". Billboard. Archived from the original on 1 March 2015.
  34. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (16 March 2015). "Of Monsters and Men Return with 'Crystals': Hear The New Single". Billboard.
  35. ^ "Of Monsters and Men announce new album – hear new song 'Crystals' now". NME. 30 March 2015.
  36. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (4 June 2015). "Of Monsters and Men: Beneath the Skin review – Icelandic indie rock with a fairytale tinge". The Guardian.
  37. ^ Welch, Andy (14 May 2015). "Iceland's Of Monsters and Men Deliver Epic Indie-Pop Chills on New Single 'Empire' – Premiere". NME.
  38. ^ Saunders, Hilary (9 June 2015). "Of Monsters and Men's Chromatic Comeback". Paste.
  39. ^ O'Malley, Maura (23 October 2015). "'Jessica Jones' Trailer Has a Perfectly Dark Sound". Bustle.
  40. ^ Calia, Michael (22 May 2016). "Music on TV: Inside Of Monsters and Men's Cameo on 'Game of Thrones'". The Wall Street Journal.
  41. ^ Bartleet, Larry (18 September 2015). "Of Monsters and Men to appear on Game of Thrones". NME.
  42. ^ "Of Monsters and Men First Icelandic Band with 1 Billion Spotify Plays". The Reykjavík Grapevine. 5 October 2017. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017.
  43. ^ Trendell, Andrew (3 May 2019). "Of Monsters and Men return first new single in four years 'Alligator'". NME.
  44. ^ Spruch, Kirsten (26 July 2019). "Why Of Monsters and Men Changed Up Their Process on New Album 'Fever Dream'". Billboard.
  45. ^ Trendell, Andrew (7 May 2019). "Of Monsters and Men tell us about their "playful and empowering" new album 'Fever Dream'". NME.
  46. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (9 August 2019). "Of Monsters and Men Notches Second Top Rock Albums No. 1 with 'Fever Dream'". Billboard.
  47. ^ Peacock, Tim (12 July 2019). "Of Monsters and Men Release New Track, 'Wild Roses'". Universal Music Group.
  48. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (2 September 2020). "Of Monsters and Men announce new single "Visitor" for next week". The Line of Best Fit.
  49. ^ Smith, Sophie (9 September 2020). "Of Monsters and Men Share New Song, 'Visitor'". Universal Music Group.
  50. ^ Schube, Will (9 April 2021). "Of Monsters and Men Release Mysterious New Single, 'Destroyer'". Universal Music Group.
  51. ^ Pond, Steve (15 June 2022). "'Tíu' Film Review: Icelandic Band Of Men and Monsters' (sic) Documentary Is an Intimate Gem". TheWrap.
  52. ^ "Of Monsters and Men sign with Red Light Management". ROSTR. 3 December 2024.
  53. ^ Murray, Robin (1 July 2025). "Of Monsters and Men Return with 'Television Love'". Clash.
  54. ^ Burton, Poppy (7 August 2025). "Of Monsters and Men announce new album 'All Is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade' with yearnful single 'Ordinary Creature'". NME.
  55. ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (7 August 2025). "Of Monsters and Men announce first album in six years, All Is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade". The Line of Best Fit.
  56. ^ Abad, Paolo (27 April 2016). "Interview: A 'little talk' with Of Monsters and Men". Rappler.
  57. ^ Bosso, Joe (26 November 2012). "Of Monsters and Men's Brynjar Leifsson talks overnight success". MusicRadar.
  58. ^ a b c Leó Pálsson, Gunnar (22 August 2015). "Yfir tvö tonn af búnaði með Of Monsters and Men" [Over two tons of equipment with Of Monsters and Men]. Vísir.is.
  59. ^ "Of Monsters and Men Nominated for Europe MTV Award". Iceland Review. 21 September 2012.
  60. ^ Baltin, Steve (7 March 2015). "Of Monsters and Men Preview Tracks from Long-Awaited Sophomore Album at L.A. Listening Session". Billboard.
  61. ^ "The European Border Breakers Awards". mmeawards.eu.
  62. ^ "Of Monsters and Men Win EBBA Award". Iceland Review. 9 January 2013.
  63. ^ a b "Winners of Iceland Music Awards". Iceland Review. 7 March 2016.
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