Laufey’s fast rise to fame is a pandemic success story. During lockdown, the 24-year-old multi-instrumentalist built a substantial following on social media where she was known as “jazz girl.” Since then the Icelandic-Chinese singer/songwriter has released two studio albums that blend classical, pop and jazz. The first single from her most recent release, Bewitched, has been streamed over 20 million times globally since its release a couple months back.

Raised in Iceland, Laufey started playing cello and classical piano when she was four years old. By 15 she was performing with the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra as a cello soloist. The Chinese side of her family has been studying classical music for generations—Laufey’s mom is a professional violinist and her maternal grandfather taught violin at China’s Central Conservatory of Music.

And while Laufey’s classical training runs deep, perhaps the most surprising thing about her ascent to stardom is the fact that she's now known as a singer/songwriter as much as a musician.

On today’s episode I talk to Laufey about how she started singing jazz standards online, and what inspired her to write her own songs as well. She also talks about the great sacrifices her Chinese family made during the Cultural Revolution when there was a strict ban on playing classical Western music. And she sings two original songs for us including her single, “From The Start.”

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Laufey songs HERE.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episoder(374)

Rewind: Chris Robinson

Rewind: Chris Robinson

The Black Crowes are one of the great rock bands of the last 30 years, and now they're finally getting their flowers: a 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination, alongside Lauryn Hill, Phil Collins,...

17 Mar 42min

Tommy Emmanuel

Tommy Emmanuel

Tommy Emmanuel is an Australian guitarist who has spent over six decades mastering the art of fingerstyle acoustic guitar. He's now widely regarded as one of the best acoustic players in the world. Bo...

10 Mar 1h 16min

Rodney Crowell

Rodney Crowell

Rodney Crowell has been a fixture in Nashville's songwriting community for over 50 years. Born in Houston in 1950, he was influenced early on by songwriters Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. In 1975, he...

3 Mar 1h 8min

FKA twigs

FKA twigs

FKA twigs has spent over a decade redefining the boundaries of pop music through her innovative blend of electronic production, experimental R&B, and striking visual art. Her albums LP1 and Magdalene ...

24 Feb 50min

Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses)

Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses)

Ben Bridwell has led Band of Horses for over two decades. He describes the band's sound as "y'all-ternative," a genre that tips its hat to Southern rock's deep myriad of musical influences. Next month...

17 Feb 1h 6min

Grant-Lee Phillips

Grant-Lee Phillips

Grant-Lee Phillips first made his name in the ‘90s as the frontman of Grant Lee Buffalo, a critically acclaimed band that released four albums and toured with Pearl Jam, the Smashing Pumpkins, and R.E...

10 Feb 43min

Peaches

Peaches

Peaches has spent more than two decades pushing boundaries in electronic music and performance art, inspiring the look and sound of edgy pop artists like Lady Gaga and Grimes. But long before she was ...

3 Feb 45min

Jacob Collier

Jacob Collier

Jacob Collier has built a remarkable career as a multi-instrumentalist and arranger known for his complex harmonic approach and collaborative spirit. He first gained attention as a teenager posting mu...

27 Jan 1h 3min

Populært innen Underholdning

papaya
enkel-servering
harm-og-hegseth
tore-og-haralds-podkast
storefri-med-mikkel-og-herman
tusvik-tnne
folk-flest-med-linn-og-nils
topp-3-med-wold-og-fladseth
konspirasjonspodden
kjendiscrush-med-sofie-karlstad
hovla
ma-pa-behandling-med-morten-ramm
nare-venner
big-5-med-nils-og-harald-2
vitnemal
gi-meg-alle-detaljene
feedback-med-egon-holstad
christine-dancke
rss-gammal-maiden
filmfrelst