Imagine this: after a long, grueling day, you crave someone to tuck you in and spin a tale that's both electrifying and comforting. That's the vibe of a Kiasmos DJ set: unexpected, thrilling, yet intimately cozy.
Kiasmos merges wild, techno-fueled nights with the warmth of childhood campfires. Their sets blend light rhythms, surprising compositions, organic structures, and daring sonic experiments. Cozy but sexy, vibrant yet relaxing, always keeping you on your toes.
Kiasmos burst onto the scene in 2009, formed by BAFTA-winning Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds and Faroe Islands' Janus Rasmussen, of Bloodgroup fame.
Their journey started in Reykjavik with the release of their split 12" 65/Milo alongside label mate Rival Consoles. Bonding over a shared love for minimalist and experimental music, their friendship and collaborative spark ignited Kiasmos. From the get-go, their synergy created a sound that's both cohesive and captivating.
<Spotify link="https://open.spotify.com/album/19ncCX3QsLX4X37btAzN0U?si=icgSP_Q1QSGiyDFdZvlrkQ" />
Ólafur Arnalds, a multi-instrumentalist from Mosfellsbær, Iceland, blends strings and piano with electronic loops and rhythms, crafting emotive soundscapes.
Janus Rasmussen, hailing from the Faroe Islands, is known for his work with Bloodgroup and collaborations with the band Byrta. Their creative partnership began when Arnalds was the sound engineer on Rasmussen’s projects, leading to the birth of Kiasmos.
In 2012, Kiasmos dropped their first EP, Thrown, followed by their self-titled debut album in 2014 under Erased Tapes Records Ltd. This album cemented their place in the electronic scene, mixing classical compositions with contemporary electronic sounds.
Their EP Blurred, released in 2017, earned critical acclaim, with PopMatters hailing it as "one of the most emotionally captivating electronic releases of the year."
<Spotify link="https://open.spotify.com/album/6buz46xNMKBZ5xItTu5rDK?si=mhNqEQn4STeVLnANAOj8rQ" />
Kiasmos’s music is a unique sonic odyssey. Their DJ sets fuse electronic rhythms with the softness of classical compositions, creating an atmosphere that’s both innovative and nostalgic. The interplay of mechanical and organic sounds makes for a rich, immersive listening experience.
What makes their sets magical is the way Arnalds and Rasmussen capture fairy-tale soundscapes with a Scandinavian twist. Each Kiasmos set unfolds like a story, packed with unexpected twists and serene, introspective moment.
And the live experience is where that storytelling comes alive. In 2025, Kiasmos has been lighting up stages across continents, from the cinematic heights of Cercle performances to intimate and immersive club venues. At the Citadelle de Sisteron in France, their live set has been hailed as one of the most beautiful and chilled electronica performances in recent memory.
Their tour through Australia and New Zealand brought that same magic to the Southern Hemisphere. At The Powerstation in Auckland, fans called it “one of the best two gigs I’ve been to… Legends!”, while the show at Adelaide’s Hindley Street Music Hall was described as “incredible… total eargasm.”
The momentum carried into their 2025 European tour, with stops in Poland, the Czech Republic, and the UK at iconic venues like Tama in Poznań, Zaklęte Rewiry in Wrocław, P23 in Katowice, and E1 London. In Berlin’s Modus, the energy was praised as electric, and in Leipzig’s Felsenkeller, one fan even traveled from Dublin just to see them, leaving with the memory of a set “full of beautiful tracks from their new album.”
Kiasmos's journey started with a simple friendship and a shared passion for music. From early studio experiments, Arnalds and Rasmussen have crafted a sound that defies genres. Their collaboration shows how two creative minds can merge talents to produce something truly unique.
Over the years, Kiasmos has rocked stages worldwide, from intimate clubs to massive festivals. Their ability to connect with audiences on a deep level speaks to the universality of their music and their talent for touching the soul with every note.
In 2025, they’ve kept that magic alive with Burst (ANNA Remix) and Sisteron, two releases that show both their versatility and their constant push to evolve. Whether it’s reimagining their own work through a powerhouse remix or exploring new sonic landscapes, Kiasmos continues to deliver tracks that feel fresh yet unmistakably theirs.
Ready to have your mind blown?
Get your fix of their electrifying soundscapes at their official site >>
Explore More
View All
