Of Monsters and Men: 10 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

In case you did not know, Of Monsters and Men is an Icelandic indie folk/rock band. They have been around for more than 2 decades and they’ve made a huge impact on the music scene over the years (especially in the 2010s).

There’s probably a lot that you don’t know about this band (which really blew me away when I saw them live back in the mid 2010s in Johannesburg at Emmerentia Dam), but today my aim is to change that…

Here are 10 Interesting Facts You Might Not Have Known About Of Monsters and Men

1. Of Monsters and Men was formed in Garðabær, Iceland in 2010.

2. Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, Ragnar Þórhallsson, Brynjar Leifsson, Kristján Páll Kristjánsson and Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson are the members of the band.

3. The band won the Músíktilraunir in 2010. It’s an annual Battle of the Bands in Iceland.

4. To date the band has released 3 studio albums: My Head Is An Animal (in 2012), Beneath The Skin (in 2015) and Fever Dream (in 2019).

5. The band has also released 4 EPs and 2 Live Albums over the years. 3 of those EPs were released in 2022.

6. Their debut album (My Head is An Animal) reached number 1 in Australia, Iceland and Ireland.

7. Their song “Little Talks” reached number 1 in Ireland and Iceland and number 1 on the US Alternative songs chart in 2012. It’s the most streamed Icelandic song to date.

The lyrics of “Little Talks” depict a conversation between two lovers, one of whom has passed away. This theme creates a poignant juxtaposition between the upbeat melody and the underlying melancholic subject matter.

Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, one of the band’s lead vocalists, described the song as exploring the emotional struggle of a woman dealing with the loss of her partner, questioning whether she is losing her mind or if her partner’s spirit is still present.

8. Unlike the ethereal soundscapes of Sigur Rós or the avant-garde electronica of Björk, Of Monsters and Men firmly sits in the camp of indie pop and folk, specializing in catchy, sing-along anthems.

9. Their second album (Beneath The Skin) showcased a darker, more introspective sound while retaining the band’s signature style. It received positive reviews and charted in the top 10 in multiple countries.

10. Their third studio album (Fever Dream) embraced a more polished, synth-infused sound, signaling a shift in their musical direction while still capturing their core indie appeal.

11. Their song “Dirty Paws” is a narrative-driven song that tells a fantastical tale of animals rising up against bees in a forest war. The lyrics metaphorically explore themes like rebellion, nature, and unity. The story within the song reflects the band’s knack for blending myth and fantasy with catchy melodies.

The “Dirty Paws” themselves symbolize a mythical creature in the song’s tale, representing courage, defiance, and the spirit of nature fighting back against oppression. The song’s lyrics can be interpreted as a reflection of resistance and the power of unity.

12. The band’s songs are often co-written by Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Þórhallsson. They both bring different perspectives and voices, leading to the signature back-and-forth vocal style that gives their songs a unique storytelling feel.

13. Of Monsters and Men is known for incorporating strong visual elements into their work. For example, the album cover for My Head Is an Animal features hand-drawn, dreamlike illustrations that match the fantastical nature of their lyrics.

14. Of Monsters and Men‘s members are multi-instrumentalists, often switching between guitars, keyboards, accordion, and percussion during performances. This versatility adds layers of texture to their music, giving it a rich and dynamic quality.

Well, there you have it, 14 interesting facts you might not have known about Of Monsters and Men. If I’ve left out something important, feel free to comment below.

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