• 2012-

  JJ Julius SonVocals, guitar2012-

  David AntonssonDrums2012-

  Daniel KristjanssonBass2012-

  Rubin Pollock Guitar2012-
• Julius Son, David Antonsson Crivello, and Danny Jones all attended elementary school in the small town of Mosfellsbaer. They began playing together at the age of 17, adding guitarist Rubin Pollock to the mix in 2012. Kaleo made its first major public appearance was at Iceland Airwaves Music Festival in November of that year.
• Julius Son told Altwire about the band's early days:
  
  "We are all from a small town in Iceland called Mosfellsbær in Iceland which is a suburb in the capital Reykjavik. It's a small town of about 9000 people and we were all together in middle school and that's kind of where we got started. Me, David and Danny had classes together. We got into playing cover gigs and developed as a band over the years. Kaleo formed about three years ago when Rubin Pollock joined the band and played guitar. That's when we started to focus on original material."
• Kaleo's breakthrough came in the spring of 2013 when their cover of the traditional Icelandic ballad "Vor í Vaglaskógi" during a live radio show was videotaped and posted to YouTube, where it quickly went viral. The band recorded a studio version a few months later, which got heavy rotation on Icelandic state broadcaster RÚV's radio station Rás 2.
• The band signed to Iceland's largest record label, Sena, in the fall of 2013 and recorded their self-titled debut album in just a month and a half.
• In early 2015, Kaleo signed with Atlantic Records and they subsequently relocated to Austin, Texas.
• Rubin Pollock used to be a kindergarten teacher before he became a rock guitarist.

Comments

More Songfacts:

Sweet Child O' MineGuns N' Roses

"Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses is about Erin Everly, who was Axl Rose's girlfriend at the time. She is the daughter of Don Everly of the Everly Brothers.

One Way Or AnotherBlondie

"One Way Or Another" is based on a stalker who creeped out Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry.

HumanThe Killers

"Human" by The Killers was the most streamed song on Spotify in 2008, the year that the music streaming service was launched.

Dirty WaterThe Standells

"Dirty Water" became a Boston sports anthem in the '00s, but it was written by a guy from California after almost getting mugged on a visit to the city.

Run Like HellPink Floyd

Pink Floyd's "Run Like Hell" was released as a single in America because it has a catchy beat, but the lyrics describe a reign of terror instigated by the despot Pink, the main character in the concept album The Wall.

What Made Milwaukee FamousRod Stewart

The very American song "What Made Milwaukee Famous" was never a big hit in the US, but Rod Stewart made it famous in the UK.

Editor's Picks

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.

Phone Booth SongsSong Writing

Phone booths are nearly extinct, but they provided storylines for some of the most profound songs of the pre-cell phone era.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.