Kaleo
In concert, 2018
In concert, 2018
Background information
OriginMosfellsbær, Iceland
GenresBlues rock
Years active2012 (2012)–present
LabelsElektra
Members
  • Jökull Júlíusson or JJ
  • Davíð Antonsson
  • Daníel Kristjánsson
  • Rubin Pollock
  • Þorleifur Gaukur Davíðsson
Websiteofficialkaleo.com

Kaleo (stylized as KALEO) is an Icelandic blues rock band which formed in Mosfellsbær in 2012. It consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Jökull Júlíusson, drummer David Antonsson, bassist Daniel Kristjansson, lead guitarist Rubin Pollock and harmonicist Þorleifur Gaukur Davíðsson. They have released three studio albums, Kaleo (2013), A/B (2016), and Surface Sounds (2021),[1] as well as the EP Glasshouse (2013).

A/B has sold over one million albums worldwide. Its second single, "Way Down We Go", was certified double platinum in the US and reached number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart on 20 August 2016.[2][3] Kaleo received a Grammy Award nomination in 2017 for Best Rock Performance for the song "No Good".[4]

History

2012–2013: Early years and self-titled album

Best friends since attending elementary school outside of Reykjavik, band leader JJ, drummer David Antonsson, and bassist Daniel Kristjansson began playing together at the age of 17 before adding guitarist Rubin Pollock to the mix in 2012. They named the band Kaleo, which means "the voice" in Hawaiian, and started their career with a handful of well-received shows at the 2012 Iceland Airwaves music festival, which was the band's first major public appearance.[5] Kaleo gained fame after covering the song "Vor í Vaglaskógi" which received heavy rotation on Icelandic state broadcaster RÚV's radio station Rás 2 and was featured on the station's top 10 list.[6] This song is also featured in the first episode of the TV series Trapped. By year's end, Kaleo had signed with Sena, the country's main record label. Their self-titled debut went gold in their home country, spawning five number-one hits and inspiring their first European tour.[7]

2013–2019: major label record deal, departure to America, A/B and touring

In 2014, the band gained further attention with their single "All the Pretty Girls", which garnered over 87 million streams on Spotify.[8] In early 2015, they signed with Atlantic Records[9] and subsequently relocated to Austin, Texas.[10] Throughout 2015, Kaleo received increasing attention in the United States. The band's South by Southwest (SXSW) debut in 2015 garnered press from Esquire's "40 Bands You Need to Hear"[11] as well as NPR's "The Austin 100: SXSW 2015" feature and All Songs Considered's "SXSW 2015 Music Preview". "All the Pretty Girls" peaked at number 9 on Billboard's Adult Alternative Songs chart.[12]

Another three singles were released to promote their upcoming major label debut album A/B: "Way Down We Go", "No Good", and "I Can't Go On Without You". The single "Way Down We Go", was released in August 2015 and gained critical acclaim. The single was certified gold in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland, South Africa and Germany, Platinum in Russia, Australia and the United States, and triple platinum in Canada. The single "No Good" was released shortly after and was featured in the promo for HBO's Vinyl.[13] The fourth single, "I Can't Go On Without You", was released on 18 February 2016.[14] The album was released worldwide later that year on 10 June 2016.[15]

The album peaked at number 16 on the Billboard 200,[16] and the band embarked on a tour, the Handprint Tour,[17] in order to promote it. The tour began on 11 September 2016 and concluded on 30 November 2016. The band embarked on a second tour, the fall Express Tour,[18] which started on 25 August 2017 in Anaheim, California, and ended on 25 November in Moscow, Russia.

2020–present: Surface Sounds

On 15 January 2020, KALEO released two singles, "I Want More" and "Break My Baby", the first music released since A/B.[19] They followed this up with the announcement of the album's title and track list on 13 March, with the album scheduled for 5 June,[20] along with dates for the Fight or Flight Tour, to take place July–September 2020.[21] The third single "Alter Ego" was also released on 13 March, with JJ describing it as "the most classic rock and roll song".[22] The fourth single "Backbone" was released on 17 April,[23] although on 27 May, they delayed the album's release until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[24] They were also forced to postpone their Fight or Flight tour twice, first to April–July 2021,[25] and then to February–May 2022.[26]

On 5 February 2021, they released a live version of "Break My Baby", recorded from Þrídrangar Lighthouse on 5 July 2020, the 78th anniversary of the lighthouse.[27] The fifth single "Skinny" was released on 1 April 2021, with the announcement of the album's new release date of 23 April.

Musical style

Kaleo's music has been influenced by genres such as blues rock, indie folk and alternative rock.[28] In an interview with Rolling Stone, frontman JJ explained, "Growing up I was listening to a lot of American music and blues artists and such and that was what kind of connected us."[29][30] Their blues influences are mainly drawn from Delta blues which was the target for some of the heavier songs in their album A/B.[31] Their music prominently features a distinctive resonator sound.[32]

Lead singer JJ has given influences such as Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana and Jim Morrison,[31] while critics liken their music to that of Hozier, Ray LaMontagne,[28] Led Zeppelin, Cream and ZZ Top.[33]

Media appearances

The group has made multiple appearances on late night television shows including Conan,[34] Jimmy Kimmel Live![35] Late Night with Seth Meyers[36] and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.[37]

Their single "Way Down We Go" has been featured in many TV shows including Blindspot, The Blacklist, Lucifer, Supergirl, Grey's Anatomy, The Vampire Diaries, Riverdale, Training Day, Suits, Teen Wolf, The Night Shift, This Is Us and Underground, as well as trailers/promos for The Good Fight, Quantico, Orange Is the New Black, Empire, The Leftovers and Logan, among others.[38] Kaleo's 'I can't go on without you' was used on the Sky Italy produced Petra TV detective series (Series 1, Episode 4 - 2020).

Several Kaleo songs including "Way Down We Go", "Hot Blood", "No Good", "All the Pretty Girls" and "Glass House" have been featured in FIFA 16,[39] Madden NFL 17,[40] NHL 18,[41] Far Cry 5,[42] The Crew 2,[43] Rocksmith 2014[44] and Asphalt 9: Legends.[45] Their song "Automobile" was used in Collateral Beauty[46] and "Break my Baby" features in the video game MLB The Show 20.

Members

The band is made up of:[47]

  • Jökull Júlíusson (short: JJ) – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano
  • Rubin Pollock – lead guitar
  • Daníel Ægir Kristjánsson – bass, keyboard[48][49]
  • Davíð Antonsson – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Þorleifur Gaukur Davíðsson – harmonica, bongos, keyboard[50]

Discography

Albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications shown
Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
ICE
[51]		 AUS
[52]		 BEL
(FL)
[53]		 BEL
(WA)
[54]		 CAN
[55]		 FRA
[56]		 GER
[57]		 SWI
[58]		 UK
[59]		 US
[60]
Kaleo 15—————————
A/B
  • Released: 10 June 2016
  • Label: Elektra
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD, vinyl
 4292131228962716
Surface Sounds
  • Released: 23 April 2021[1]
  • Label: Elektra
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD, vinyl
 156720186016434102
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ICE
[66]		 AUS
[67]		 BEL
(FL)
[53]		 BEL
(WA)
[54]		 CAN
[68]		 FRA
[69]		 GER
[70]		 SWI
[58]		 UK
[71]		 US
[72]
"Vor í Vaglaskógi" 2013 35————————— Kaleo
"Rock n' Roller" ——————————
"Glass House" ——————————
"Automobile" ——————————
"Broken Bones" ——————————
"I Walk On Water" 2014 ——————————
"All the Pretty Girls" ———[upper-alpha 1]——————— A/B
"Way Down We Go" 2015 2308446046109654
"No Good" ————[upper-alpha 2]——————
"I Can't Go On Without You" 2016 7—————————
"I Want More" 2020 4——[upper-alpha 3]—[upper-alpha 4]—————— Surface Sounds
"Break My Baby" 32———[upper-alpha 5]——————
"Alter Ego" ——————————
"Backbone" ——————————
"Skinny" 2021 4—————————
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted and certified songs

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ICE
[66]
"Save Yourself" 2016 7 A/B
"Hey Gringo" 2021 3 Surface Sounds
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Music videos

Title Year Director
"Vor í Vaglaskógi" 2013 Baldvin Vernharðsson, Hörður Freyr Brynjarsson[76]
"Rock n' Roller"" Hörður Freyr Brynjarsson[77]
"All The Pretty Girls" 2014 Baldvin Vernharðson, Davíð Antonsson Crivello, Pétur Már Pétursson[78]
"Way Down We Go" 2016 Shaun Silva[79]
"No Good" Hörður Freyr Brynjarsson[80]

Awards

"No Good" received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance.

Tours

  • Opened for Vance Joy in late 2015.[81]
  • SXSW 2015 – Debut included performances at Pandora's Discovery Den, KGSR, Neiman Marcus Make Some Noise, and more.[82]
  • 2016 – Byron Bay Bluesfest
  • 2016 – "Way Down We Go" Tour ft. "Dizzy" Daniel Moorehead
  • 2016–2017 – Kaleo Handprint Tour
  • 2017 – Opened for The Lumineers Cleopatra Tour
  • 2017.09.09 – Opened for The Rolling Stones (in Hamburg)
  • 2017 – Kaleo Express Tour
  • 2022 – Fight or Flight Tour

Notes

  1. ↑ "All the Pretty Girls" did not enter the Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 30 on the Flemish Ultratip chart.[53]
  2. ↑ "No Good" did not enter the Ultratop 50, but charted as an "extra tip" on the Wallonie Ultratip chart.[54]
  3. ↑ "I Want More" did not enter the Ultratop 50, but charted as an "extra tip" on the Flemish Ultratip chart.[53]
  4. ↑ "I Want More" did not enter the Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 14 on the Wallonie Ultratip chart.[54]
  5. ↑ "Break My Baby" did not enter the Ultratop 50, but charted as an "extra tip" on the Wallonie Ultratip chart.[54]

References

  1. 1 2 "KALEO | Surface Sounds | Official Website". officialkaleo.com. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Gold & Platinum: KALEO - RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  3. ↑ "Kaleo Earns First Alternative Songs No. 1 with 'Way Down We Go'". Billboard. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  4. ↑ "Kaleo". GRAMMY.com. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  5. ↑ "ABOUT KALEO". officialkaleo.com. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  6. ↑ Review, Iceland (10 July 2013). "Top 10 in Iceland". Archived from the original on 18 July 2013.
  7. ↑ "KALEO - Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  8. ↑ "All The Pretty Girls". 20 January 2015.
  9. ↑ "Atlantic Records KALEO". Atlantic Records Official Website.
  10. ↑ "Band Puts Down American Roots in Austin".
  11. ↑ Langer, Andy; Hendrickson, John; Bort, Ryan (16 March 2015). "SXSW Preview: 40 Bands You Need to Hear". Esquire. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016.
  12. ↑ "Alternative Music: Top Alternative Songs Chart". Billboard. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  13. ↑ "Single Review: 'No Good' by Kaleo". The Music Enthusiast - Dallas Music Blog. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  14. ↑ "WORLD PREMIERE: Kaleo "I Can't Go On Without You"". Retrieved 2 June 2019 – via teamcoco.com.
  15. ↑ "Announcing our debut album A/B - KALEO Official Blog". KALEO Official Website. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  16. ↑ "Kaleo Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  17. ↑ "Kaleo Schedules Show At Fonda Theatre". The Scenestar. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  18. ↑ "KALEO Express Fall 2017 Tour Announcement - KALEO Official Blog". KALEO Official Website. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  19. ↑ "KALEO Returns with "I Want More" and "Break My Baby"". Music Mayhem Magazine. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  20. ↑ "Kaleo announces new album, 'Surface Sounds' - Music News - ABC News Radio". abcnewsradioonline.com. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  21. ↑ "Kaleo Announces North American Tour: See Which Cities They'll Hit". Billboard. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  22. ↑ Admin, S. P. (17 March 2020). "Grammy nominated Icelandic band KALEO drop 'Alter Ego' single". Sport Playlists. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  23. ↑ "KALEO Releases 'Backbone' from Highly-Anticipated 'Surface Sounds'". Music Mayhem Magazine. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  24. ↑ "Kaleo delays upcoming 'Surface Sounds' album - Music News - ABC News Radio". abcnewsradioonline.com. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  25. ↑ "Kaleo announces 2021 dates for postponed Fight or Flight tour - Music News - ABC News Radio". abcnewsradioonline.com. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  26. ↑ "KALEO Announces 'Fight or Flight' Tour for 2022". thunderbirdarena.ubc.ca. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  27. ↑ "KALEO - Break My Baby (LIVE from Þrídrangar, Iceland)". YouTube. 5 February 2021.
  28. 1 2 "KALEO | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  29. ↑ "Meet Kaleo: The All-American Rock Band from Iceland". YouTube. Rolling Stone. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  30. ↑ "Watch Kaleo Talk 'Vinyl' Spot, Icelandic Fans, American Blues". Rolling Stone. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  31. 1 2 "Everything about the Icelandic Band Kaleo". Arctic Adventures. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  32. ↑ Taylor, Luke. "The Current's Guitar Collection: Kaleo's JJ, 1935 National Guitar". www.thecurrent.org. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  33. ↑ Bharadwaj, Nitin (5 April 2020). "KALEO: A Modern Rock 'n Roll Gem". Medium. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  34. ↑ "KALEO". www.facebook.com.
  35. ↑ Childers, Chad (9 September 2016). "Kaleo Rock 'Way Down We Go' + 'No Good' on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'". Loudwire.
  36. ↑ ".@officialkaleo stood in solidarity with the LGBTQ community on #LNSM. @nycpride". 14 June 2016.
  37. ↑ Tube, Stage. "VIDEO: KALEO Performs 'I Want More' on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  38. ↑ "8 Shows Like Netflix's Virgin River You Should Watch if You Love Virgin River". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  39. ↑ "FIFA 16 Soundtrack". Electronic Arts Inc. 10 September 2015.
  40. ↑ "Madden NFL 17 Soundtrack". EA SPORTS. 19 October 2016.
  41. ↑ "Music from NHL 18". Tunefind.
  42. ↑ "Far Cry 5 Official Game Soundtracks, a playlist by Ubisoft Music | Ubiloud on Spotify". Spotify.
  43. ↑ "The Crew 2 Soundtrack list, a playlist on Spotify". Spotify.
  44. ↑ "New DLC: Kaleo Song Pack". rocksmith.ubisoft.com.
  45. ↑ "Asphalt 9 Legends Soundtrack, a playlist by d2r3d2 on Spotify". Spotify.
  46. ↑ "Collateral Beauty (2016) - IMDb" – via www.imdb.com.
  47. ↑ "IcelandMusic: KALEO biography". Archived from the original on 20 May 2014.
  48. ↑ reveamourpaix (29 April 2017). "Kaleo - Glass House // Rock 'n' Roller; JJ: "Danny's getting married in Maui 2 days"". YouTube.
  49. ↑ Kaleo. "#Kaleo #ExpressTourpic.twitter.com/9doWQLyQWw".
  50. ↑ "KALEO - Last Call with Carson Daly - Best Audio - November 6, 2017 - YouTube". YouTube.
  51. ↑ Peaks in Iceland:
  52. ↑ Peaks in Australia:
  53. 1 2 3 4 "KALEO - ultratop.be". Ultratop. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  54. 1 2 3 4 5 "KALEO - ultratop.be". Ultratop. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  55. ↑ "Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  56. ↑ "les-charts A/B". Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  57. ↑ "Chart History: Germany Albums". www.billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  58. 1 2 "hitparade.ch". Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  59. ↑ "KALEO". Official Charts. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  60. ↑ "Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  61. 1 2 "Tónlistinn – Plötur" [The Music – Albums] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on 20 March 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  62. ↑ "British certifications – Kaleo – A/B". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  63. 1 2 "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Kaleo)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  64. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Canadian certifications – Kaleo". Music Canada. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  65. 1 2 "French certifications – Kaleo" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  66. 1 2 Peaks in Iceland:
  67. ↑ "DJ Khaled debuts at No. 1". ARIA Charts. 6 May 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  68. ↑ "Kaleo – Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  69. ↑ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés – SNEP (Week 12, 2017)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  70. ↑ "Chart History: Germany Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  71. ↑ "Official Charts: Kaleo". www.officialcharts.com. The Official UK Charts Company 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  72. ↑ "Kaleo – Chart history (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  73. 1 2 3 "Oct 2023 Single Accreds" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  74. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2017". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  75. ↑ "Kaleo: Way Down We Go". www.bpi.co.uk. BPI. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  76. ↑ "KALEO - Vor í Vaglaskógi (official video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  77. ↑ "KALEO - Rock 'n' Roller (Official Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  78. ↑ "KALEO - All The Pretty Girls (Official Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  79. ↑ "KALEO WAY DOWN WE GO". www.tackleboxfilms.com. Tacklebox Films. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  80. ↑ "KALEO - No Good (Official Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  81. ↑ "KALEO". Bandsintown. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016.
  82. ↑ "Atlantic Records Recent Articles". Atlantic Records Official Website.
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