An Interview With Icelandic Musician Daði Freyr On His Breakout Viral Hit ‘Think About Things’ and More!

Earlier this year, the Icelandic artist & viral sensation Daði Freyr (pronounced Da-di) released the quirky song ’Think About Things.’ It went viral thanks to help from actress Jennifer Garner who posted a video with the song on her Instagram that has received over 6M views. This was covered by Good Morning America among others, and received comments by Ariana Grande, Reese Witherspoon, Gwyenth Paltrow, and more. 

Daði’s original music video is the inspiration behind the ‘Bounce Dance’, which has seen over 60k recreations on Tik Tok. “Think About Things” has accumulated over 11M YouTube views and 19M Spotify streams. The track has received the remix treatment from Hot Chip and continues to grow daily. Check it out here:

Daði Freyr was due to represent Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with this hit song before the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 was cancelled.

Learn more about Daði Freyr in the following All Access interview:

Thank you for your time. So given these unusual Covid-19 times, what does a typical day look like for you? How have you adjusted to these times?

Honestly my daily routine didn’t really change all that much. I work in my home studio so I don’t have to leave the house for work and I usually work alone. My wife Árný has been amazing with taking care of our baby and putting her art on hold for a little while so I can use the opportunities I am being presented as much as I can. The most difficult part was not being able to see our friends, although we did have some parties over zoom.

What has been the hardest/most challenging part about being quarantined? Is your city starting to open up more now?

I live in Berlin, there was a 2 person maximum at one point. So we weren’t really allowed to meet anybody else. It’s a good thing that we have a strong relationship, we have been together for 10 years so we know how to talk to each other. I can’t imagine being stuck with somebody you don’t like being around, truly feel for the people who had a harder time because of this. I’m in Iceland at the moment, where it almost feels like nothing ever happened. Berlin is opening up more and more though, hopefully I will be able to do the tour at the end of the year. We’ll see.

How have you been able to use social media during these unprecedented times? Are you finding that you use it even more now to stay connected to fans and other musicians?

I have used social media a lot for a while to promote my music. I do use it more now but there is also just so much more going on with my music than I’m used to so it’s super exciting to watch.

Since we are all desperately missing live music, can you recall a favorite show of yours from the past? What do you think ultimately makes for a great show for you? Have you started planning any shows yet for 2021?

I don’t think there is any one thing that makes the ultimate show. I have had some very different concert experiences that stand out to me. Some that stand out are Björk at Iceland Airwaves, Tame Impala at Lollapalooza Berlin, Pendulum at Roskilde Festival 2010, Hurts at Iceland Airwaves and Snarky Puppy in Berlin. I’m going on a small European tour at the end of the year, hopefully I will be able to do those shows. I’m also planing a lot of concerts for 2021, It’s going to be a busy year that’s for sure.

Let’s talk about your viral song, “Think About Things.” What was it like having so many celebrities pay attention it and even have actress Jennifer Garner post a video with the song playing? Have you been surprised by all the positive reactions to it?

At the start it was really surreal. When I first saw that Russel Crowe had posted about the song it was a pretty big moment for me. As the song continued to grow I became de-sensitized pretty quickly. It’s awesome to see people you know from TV talking about your song but it is just as cool to me to see somebody from the Philippines or Kuwait relating to the song, people I never would have thought would even hear it in the first place.

I absolutely love your music video for the song! What was it like making it? How creatively involved with the overall process were you? What was it like having so much of your family a part of it?

It was a lot of fun to make it. I would say I was as creatively involved with the overall process as one can be. I have been making my own music videos with my wife since I started so I have a pretty clear idea of how I wanted the video to look like. Birta and Guðný (DOP and Director) did an amazing job in bringing that to life. I feel like the video looks exactly like I had imagined it to be. I designed our outfits, made the instruments with the other members of Gagnamagnið (the fictional band from the video and Eurovision performance) and made the choreography. My wife and my little sister are part of Gagnamagnið, they are great to work with, the group is just really easy going. Also my dad did the sound for the video. 

How do you think this song compares to your older music? Do you have plans to release new music soon? Are you currently working on getting an EP or full album out this year at all?

I am working on an EP at the moment that I want to release in the fall hopefully. I think the song is a logical next step for my music, I don’t really think about that too much, I just make what I feel like making when I’m making it. 

How do you think future music is going to be influenced by this incredible and absolutely necessary Black Lives Matter movement that the US and even the world is going through now? Is it inspiring you and your music today at all?

It is hard for me to say in what way it will change music but I hope that people will be more aware of what kind of message they are putting out there. I have definitely learned a lot in the past few months and still have a lot to learn. It is super inspiring to hear all these different stories and perspectives and to see people really stand up for what is right in spite of the backlash that may follow. It inspires me to try to be a better and more open human being. I want my music to inspire people in a similar way.

If you could get into the studio with any artist today and collaborate on a new song, who would it be and why?

Stevie Wonder. He is one of my all time favorite musicians and it would be a dream come true to work with him. He has inspired my music in so many ways, maybe more than any other musician. Stevie! Hit me up!

Would you like to share anything else about yourself or your music with our readers?

I just hope you have a pleasant day and a wonderful life. Thank you for your interest!