Greensky Bluegrass is set to unveil a unique musical journey with their new EP, The Iceland Sessions, slated for release on May 10 via Thirty Tigers. This latest installment in their studio repertoire was crafted at the acclaimed Flóki Studios last summer, just before the band’s electrifying performances at Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik. Adding a special touch to the project, the EP features their regular lineup of talented musicians and their longtime collaborator and friend, Holly Bowling.
Limiting details and building intrigue, songwriter, vocalist, and mandolin player Paul Hoffman offered via the band’s press release, “We invited some of our favorite friends and musicians to play with us, including Holly Bowling, and we set out to make memories in the twilight sun with a bunch of fans who joined us from all over the world.” Bowling has been a frequent contributor with Greensky Bluegrass over the years, feeding the troupe’s joint synergy and magnifying their creativity whenever they meet.
Speaking about their choice of location, the remote Northern Icelandic location known as Flóki Studios, the band referenced its need for isolation to hone in on their latest musical expression and fully give themselves to the experience, in the same vein as previous artists to record at the location: Otiel Burbrige, George Porter Jr. with Eddie Roberts, Nikki Glaspie and Robert Walters, Joe Russo’s Selcouth Quartet and others.
“We embraced the disorienting inspiration and played late into the night as the sun never left us, all the while still developing lyrics and figuring out harmonies and arrangements. We swam in the cold water. We saw more sheep than people for days. We listened to the birds sing through the night while we charged through each song,” Hoffman continued, offering details on the ornate opportunity.
“A recording project that felt like a whirlwind at times turned into something calm and peaceful that felt more creative and raw than anything we’ve done before. Fully aware that we could continue to work on this later, we decided to commit to what we created in Iceland and have the recording be truly a moment in time,” he concluded.
Pre-order The Iceland Sessions now. Catch Greencky Bluegrass on tour this summer. Visit their official website for details.
