12 Tónar facts for kids

12 Tónar (which means 'twelve tones' in Icelandic) is a cool music shop in Reykjavík, Iceland. It's also a record label that helps Icelandic musicians release their music. You can find it right in the middle of downtown Reykjavík on Skólavörðustígur 15.

Founded in 1998, 12 Tónar quickly became a favorite spot for music lovers. The shop soon turned into a meeting place for famous musicians like Björk, Sigur Rós, and múm. Many classical composers and performers also gathered there.

What is 12 Tónar?

12 Tónar is an independent record label. This means they help artists create and sell their music without being part of a huge music company. They have released almost 80 albums! Many of Iceland's best musicians have put out their music through 12 Tónar.

Some of the artists and bands who have released albums with them include:

• Mugison
• Trabant
• Singapore Sling
• Apparat Organ Quartet
• Pétur Ben
• Eivör Pálsdóttir
• Ragnheiður Gröndal
• Jóhann Jóhannsson
• Hildur Guðnadóttir
• Skúli Sverrisson
• Ólöf Arnalds
• Pink Street Boys
• Samaris
• Jakobínarína

12 Tónar in Copenhagen

In May 2006, 12 Tónar opened another music shop in Copenhagen, Denmark. This shop sold music from their own artists and other Icelandic music. It was located on Fiolstraede 26.

Just like the shop in Iceland, the Copenhagen store had a friendly vibe. Customers could enjoy freshly made espresso while listening to music. It became a tradition to have live concerts in the store on Friday afternoons. The Copenhagen shop closed on January 26, 2008, with a final live show by the Danish band Tremolo Beer Gut.

Online Music Shop

Right after the Copenhagen store closed, 12 Tónar launched a brand new online shop. This made it easy for people all over the world to buy music from their artists. You can still find their music online today.

A "Best Record Store"?

On June 21, 2013, a famous music magazine called Gramophone wrote about 12 Tónar. The article even had the exciting title: "The best record store in the world?" This shows how special and well-loved 12 Tónar is in the music world.

Some Music Releases

12 Tónar has released many different kinds of music. Here are a few examples of albums they have put out:

• Eivör Pálsdóttir – Krákan (2003)
• Jóhann Jóhannsson – Dís (2004)
• Mugison – Niceland (2004)
• Apparat Organ Quartet – Apparat Organ Quartet (2005)
• Ólöf Arnalds – Við Og Við (2007)
• Samaris – Samaris (2013)
• Low Roar – 0 (2014)

Classical Music Releases

12 Tónar also releases classical music. Here are some examples:

• Guðrún Jóhanna Ólafsdóttir (Mezzo-Soprano) & Víkingur Heiðar Ólafsson (Piano) – Grieg & Schumann (2006)
• Ísafold Chamber Orchestra – Ísafold (2006)
• Kristinn Árnason (Guitar) – Giuliani, Sor, Aguado, Carcassi (2009)