Laufey (Facebook)

Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter Laufey had her first Asia tour and headlined with a sold-out concert at the Filivest Tent in Alabang, Muntinlupa City on May 30. She still feels thrilled when she recalls her performance during the show.

Despite the challenges before her concert, Laufey still delivered an excellent, romantic jazz music night for her Pinoy fans. 

During a Zoom with Manila Bulletin Entertainment last July 27, the 24-year-old singer recalled her favorite moment during the show. 

"Well, my song 'From the Start.' The first time I performed it live after it was released. That was that concert. It had been out for like two weeks or something. And every single lyric, like I think every single person was screaming every single lyric along with me. And that was really cool," she said. 

Performing to a sold-out crowd, Laufey also mentioned that she didn't know what to do after seeing all her fans waiting for her to appear on stage. 

"Oh my God! I almost didn't know what to do with myself. I've never experienced something like that before, and it was truly on another level in the best way possible. I felt really special and so much love from that crowd, like a different kind of love," she said. 

Laufey stated that it was also the largest audience she had ever performed for, marking another significant achievement in her career. 

"It was also the biggest show I'd ever play at that point. So it was like, two by twofold. It was like truly a roar that I'd never experienced, and everyone was singing every lyric, and I did the concert solo, and I felt so much support from the room. So it was great," she said. 

Heading to other countries for her tour, Laufey looks forward to returning to the Philippines. 

"I am personally planning to, I don't know how much I'm allowed to give or how much has been planned in the background, but personally, I don't see where I don't come again," Laufey said. 

Aside from performing live for her fans, Laufey did a Tiktok video with her twin sister Junia Jonsdottir eating local Pinoy snacks recommended by their fans. 

During the interview, Laufey shared that her favorites were Stick-o and dried mangoes. And she also hopes to try Jollibee again when she comes back. 

"I had Jollibee, it was really good. I had, you know, the chicken and the spaghetti. And so that was a very fan cultural experience for me," Laufey mentioned. 

(Facebook)

Music journey

Unlike any other artists who are into the pop alternative genre, Laufey's love for classical and jazz music started in her early days. Her mom was a classical violinist, while her dad loves jazz songs. 

"My mother is a classical violinist. So I started playing piano when I was four and cello when I was seven. And then I started singing jazz when I was 12 or 13 because my dad always played jazz music at home," she said. 

From then, Laufey started working on her music while studying at the Berklee College of Music under the contemporary music school. 

During her time there, she released her first single in 2020, entitled "Street by Street" which gathered the attention of the Gen-z audience with her dreamy tune. 

When it comes to her writing process, she takes inspiration from the concept or title before heading out to the songwriting. 

With her newest single, "Bewitched", Laufey explained that her inspiration behind this song was a perfect London date. 

"It's about the perfect date in London, where you just caught up in the moment and caught up in the night, and it feels like falling in love. It feels like being bewitched under a spell and trying to encapsulate that feeling," she said. 

Laufey (pronounced lãy-vāy) is a Los Angeles-based singer, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist whose transportative jazz songs about young love and self-discovery are filled with wonder and wanderlust.

Raised between Reykjavík and Washington D.C. with annual visits to Beijing, the Icelandic-Chinese artist grew up playing cello and piano, inspired by her violinist mother, and became hooked on the jazz standards of Ella Fitzgerald after digging through her father's records.

Laufey's ascent has also included winning Best New Artist in Jazz and Blues at the 2021 Icelandic Music Awards, hosting her own show on BBC Radio 3/BBC Sounds "Happy Harmonies" and making her live TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Much like how Chet Baker's vocal style is often compared to his understated trumpet voicing, Laufey's rich alto resembles the deep, woody tones of the cello that she played from an early age.

She only began writing her own songs in her early 20s, translating her love for Gershwin and Ravel into contemporary jazz that breaks down the barriers between pop and "high-brow" genres, connecting listeners across generations.