Moses Hightower

Lore & Background

Moses Hightower began as the backing band for singer Dísa, but soon gained airplay with the single 'Búum til börn,' which became the title track of their debut album. The album, recorded and mixed by Magnús Øder, was self-released on 5 July 2010 and earned nominations for the Icelandic Music Award 2010 for Best Album and Best Lyrics. Their second album, Önnur Mósebók, was recorded from December 2011 to June 2012 in Reykjavík, Berlin, and Amsterdam, again with Magnús Øder. The advance single 'Stutt skref' topped local radio charts, and the album debuted high in the national charts upon its August release by Record Records. The band's third album, Fjallaloft, released on 9 June 2017, was mixed and partially co-produced by Styrmir Hauksson. Its title track topped the state radio chart for three weeks, and a live radio cover of Kate Bush's 'Wuthering Heights' spent a month at number one. The fourth original album, Lyftutónlist, was released on 18 September 2020, with mastering by Glenn Schick and cover design by Sigríður Ása Júlíusdóttir.

Reader's Guide

Moses Hightower's significance lies in their sustained success within the Icelandic music scene, marked by critically acclaimed albums and multiple Icelandic Music Awards. Their second album, Önnur Mósebók, received seven nominations in six categories at the 2012 awards, winning Songwriter of the Year and Lyricist of the Year. The third album, Fjallaloft, won Songwriter of the Year 2017. The band's ability to generate chart-topping singles across multiple albums—such as 'Stutt skref,' 'Fjallaloft,' and a cover of 'Wuthering Heights'—demonstrates their broad appeal. Their discography includes a remix album and a live album, reflecting ongoing creative output. The band's legacy is rooted in their role as a prominent Icelandic soul act, with recordings spanning analog tape and modern production, and their work has consistently earned recognition from the Icelandic Music Awards.

Did You Know?

• The band's debut album Búum til börn translates to 'Let's make babies.'
• Their second album Önnur Mósebók was recorded in Reykjavík, Berlin, and Amsterdam.
• A live radio recording of the band covering Kate Bush's 'Wuthering Heights' spent a whole month at number one on the state radio chart.
• The band has released a remix album titled Mixtúrur úr Mósebók (2013) and a live album Fjallaloft Live (2019).