Bríet

Icelandic singer Bríet Ísis Elfar bangs to the beat of her own drum in two different languages. This talented songwriter debuted an EP 22.03.99 in 2018 and her first album Kveðja, Bríet, in 2020.

At the tail end of 2025, her second EP titled Act I dropped on November 7 timed to an important gig.

The Iceland Airwaves music festival started the year Elfar was born in 1999 and she first performed there at 15 years old. She returned to her roots with new material to present to fans at the Art Museum venue on November 8 as part of the festival’s programming.

Upbeat little ditties like “Cowboy Killer” and “Sweet Escape” showcase her artistry while moving into the world of country music.

Bríet sat for a chat at soundcheck to describe her latest musical journey to Nashville to create soundscapes in the Music City.

JN: (Jerry Nunn) Have you been to Chicago before?

B: (Bríet) I have, but I was driving through, so I didn’t see much.

JN: We need to get you to play Lollapalooza.

B: I would love to.

JN: You were born in Iceland?

B: Yes, in Reykjavík. My grandpa is Egyptian and came here in the ‘60s. I am a mix of Egyptian and Icelander with a little bit of Greenland.

JN: Did you always want to be a singer?

B: Yes. I started when I was young, playing at a restaurant for coins. It was my favorite thing to do when I was 15. I have a memory of myself singing in the car when I was four years old and music moved me at that time.

I gravitated towards it, but I had no idea what a singer goes through. I was just looking for something fun to do and I liked being around music.

It was my connection to my dad as well. When he was sad, he would bring out the guitar and we would laugh together. It was like medicine for us both and I discovered music can heal people.

I wanted to be around music all the time and it has led me to many places over the years.

JN: You performed at Iceland Airwaves very young and now you are back for a completely different experience.

B: I had a weird memory about it yesterday when I was playing at an off-venue gig. It feels like a long time ago and I remember how exciting it was at the time. When you are constantly performing live, you get used to it, but I remember it was so big for me to play Iceland Airwaves even at a small venue.

When I was there, I met a guy who was a producer who helped me produce my own music when I was 17. I worked with that producer for a long time. That was when it all started to become a professional job.

JN: You have released brand new music. Where did you record it?

B: I went to Nashville to make it.

JN: I grew up there.

B: Really? It’s a crazy place when you dig deep and visit the most soulful places. It is insane. I loved the people who are such characters. I would just sit and stare at them sometimes.

Everyone is so open and humble, which is different than a lot of places.

Music is a funny thing and musicians have a persona. They can get lost in their egos, but I didn’t feel that in Nashville at all. I loved it there.

JN: The gay scene is fun there.

B: You will have to take me out there next time we are both there.

JN: I would love to. I lived there in my childhood years. I am glad you liked it.

B: Like is not even the word. I fell in love and I didn’t want to leave.

JN: Is that why Act I sounds so acoustic?

B: Yes. I have always been a singer/songwriter, so country music was within me. I am passionate about being a storyteller. It was good to be around people who were like me.

All the music I have released in Iceland before it was about love and my truth. Sometimes I am too honest about my life in my lyrics.

Now that I have lived in Iceland for so long, I wanted to try something new. I have been put in categories where they want me to play a guitar and sing big ballads or think of me as a pop star. I am all of those things, so that is why I wanted to make EPs with three acts.

Act I is the country one, Act II will be the hippy, dramatic, alternative one and Act III will be pop.

JN: To show different sides of yourself?

B: Yes. I am creating whole worlds around those three genres of music.

JN: Then no one can put you in a box.

B: Right.

JN: That reminds me of Kacey Musgraves with pop, country and ballads. Have you noticed your following as being LGBTQ+ like Kacey’s fans?

B: Yes, but it is very open here in Iceland.

JN: What is one thing that you love about Iceland?

B: I love that it is so small and everyone knows each other. People are always friendly and we are all in this together. In the music scene, the people of Iceland like to hear new voices and are ready to check out a singer. It is supportive here.

The other thing I love about Iceland is the nature. I drive around all the time and shut my mind off. The more I travel, the more I value Iceland.

JN: I know what you are saying because people have been genuinely nice here.

B: They are nice and they can also be crazy in their own way.

JN: How would you describe yourself as an artist?

B: I am just me and honest. I am chaotic and all over the place. I never know what I am going to do next. I would love for people to come on that journey with me.