Leif Vollebekk

Hailing from Ottawa, Canada, Leif Vollebekk is a multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter known for his somber, melancholy pop songs, which capture the themes of yearning, long-lost love, and adventure. During his childhood and teens, he discovered the music of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Lou Reed while also discovering a connection with the writings and works of Beat Generation authors Allen Ginsberg and Charles Bukowski. Having tried his hand at a multitude of instruments, he was initially interested in composition and shaping a song, rather than lyrics; at least until he heard Dylan's "Simple Twist of Fate." With a newfound obsession for illustrating stories and images with words, he sought to expand upon his creative abilities and headed to Iceland to discover his Nordic roots. Immersed in the country's unique culture, and experimenting with different types of sound and songwriting, he eventually created his sonic palette, described as falling "somewhere in between Sigur Rós and Bob Dylan." Feeling confident with this, he returned to Canada, settling in Montreal, and went to work on a cohesive collection of songs. The result was Inland, released in 2010 through Fontana North. The record was commended for effectively exposing the little-known Icelandic country scene.