BORGARBÓKASAFNIÐ
The City Library´s Christmas Song Contest was held for the fourth time this year. A total of nine songs were submitted, and they were as diverse as they were many. The songs were about New Year’s resolutions, Netflix Christmas movies, the arrival of Christmas and spending Christmas with loved ones.
This year’s jury consisted of Anna Magnúsdóttir Eirúnardóttir and Agnes Jónsdóttir, specialists at the City Library, and Ingi Hrafn Hilmarsson, actor and director who won last year’s Christmas song contest. The jury was unanimous in choosing the Christmas song of the year, and the song Jól, Ó þessi jól by María Agnesardóttir and Jóhann Víðir Erlendsson was chosen as the winning song.
The jury’s comments read: “The song Jól, ó þessi jól is well crafted in every way. The song is well suited to radio, as it is easy to dance along with the catchy melody. Marías singing is strong, and the heartfelt lyrics manage to capture the experience that many of us associate with Christmas. The song is a fantastic Christmas song that no one should miss and will hopefully find its way to most people’s radio over the Christmas period”
The song is available for listening on Spotify.
The songwriters are the couple María and Jóhann, who have a son together named Logi Þröstur. In the midst of the Christmas rush, they took the time to answer a few questions and talk more about the making of the song.
How did the song come about?
We have wanted to make a Christmas song together but haven’t had much time because we have a 4-month-old boy who was born in August. Somehow, we found time in between naps, that’s when this song came about. Jóhann produces the song which was first written on a guitar and María wrote the melody, but we wrote the lyrics together.
Is the song dedicated to someone special?
María’s grandfather, Þröstur Lýðsson, has been asking for an original Christmas song for him for many years. “On December 20th, he celebrated his 70th birthday and we thought it would be a good idea to finally make a Christmas song for him. My grandfather is my biggest supporter when it comes to music, and I try to visit my grandparents at least once a week”. When asked about what Marías grandfather thought of the song, they said he was very happy with the song and was sure that they would now make it!
In the song you sing about memories and traditions, do you guys have any special Christmas traditions?
María’s family has two traditions that have been around since she was born. “We make Laufabrauð with my grandparents and then we have Ris a la Mande on Christmas eve at 12. We recently added to the tradition, and we play Bingo afterwards, where candy or small gifts are the prizes. My family is often apart at Christmas, so I think it’s a wonderful addition” says María. For Jóhann, his family eats Hangikjöt at Grandma and Grandpa on Christmas day which is always nice.
Have you guys been making songs for a long time?
María started writing songs when her grandfather, Þröstur, gave her a guitar for her 14th birthday. Since then, she has written all her own songs under the artist name MAIAA, which we recommend checking out on streaming sites. Jóhann is a great guitarist who has also written many songs and is also a good producer. They played together at Iceland Airwaves this November where María (MAIAA) was playing her songs and Jóhann was in the band on guitar.
How did you hear about the Song contest?
María says: “I think I just saw this advertised on Facebook and I thought to myself, why not try participating, worst case scenario we don’t win haha”
Where can one listen to the Christmas song?
The song has been released on Spotify under the name Mæjó, because María is called Mæja and together with Jóhann, that’s Mæjó.
Songwriter: María Agnesardóttir
Lyrics: María Agnesardóttir og Jóhann Víðir Erlendsson
Producer: Jóhann Víðir Erlendsson
Vocals: María Agnesardóttir
You can follow them on social media here:
@isthismaiaa
@johannvidir92