Matthías Matthíasson is an Icelandic musician best known for being the vocalist of the Icelandic tribute band

Sjonni's Friends Sjonni's Friends ( is, Vinir Sjonna) were an Icelandic tribute band also known at times as Sigurjón's Friends. The band formed in early 2011 when the Icelandic singer Sjonni Brink (real name Sigurjón Brink) died just days before he was to perfo ...

and being the singing voice of

Sportacus Sportacus ( is, Íþróttaálfurinn, meaning “The Athletic Elf”) is a fictional character from the Icelandic children's television show '' LazyTown'', created and portrayed by Magnús Scheving. His name is a portmanteau of the ancient figure ...

in the children's television series '' LazyTown''.

Life and career

Matthías was born in and grew up in

Dalvík Dalvík () is the main village of the Icelandic municipality of Dalvíkurbyggð. Its population is approximately 1,400.

in northern Iceland. In his youth, he performed in several musicals, such as ''

Hair Hair is a protein filament that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Hair is one of the defining characteristics of mammals. The human body, apart from areas of glabrous skin, is covered in follicles which produce thick terminal and f ...

'', and ''

Jesus Christ Superstar ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' is a sung-through rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Loosely based on the Gospels' accounts of the Passion, the work interprets the psychology of Jesus and other characters, with ...

'', where he played Peter. He was nominated for an

Icelandic Music Award The Icelandic Music Awards ( is, Íslensku tónlistarverðlaunin) are the official annual music awards given in Iceland to commemorate the musical achievements of the year. The award was established in 1993 with an annual rock award given by the ...

for "Best Newcomer" in 1995 for his acting in ''Jesus Christ Superstar''. In 1996, he was recruited by athlete Magnus Scheving to be the singing voice of

( is, Íþróttaálfurinn) in the original Icelandic '' LazyTown'' plays, ''Áfram Latibær!'' and ''Glanni Glæpur í Latabæ''. Matthías continued this role in the '' LazyTown'' television series, where he sang Sportacus' vocals in both the English and Icelandic dubs. In 1997, his band at the time, Dúndurfréttir, was praised by ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...

'' as "the best Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin cover band ever". In 2010, he progressed to the semi-finals in the selection of the Icelandic Eurovision entrant, but ultimately lost to

Hera Björk Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir (born 29 March 1972) is an Icelandic singer. She is known for representing Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with the song "Je ne sais quoi" and her participation at Viña del Mar International Song Festi ...

. In 2011, he became the lead vocalist of the tribute band

, the band which represented Iceland in the

Eurovision Song Contest 2011 The Eurovision Song Contest 2011 was the 56th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Düsseldorf, Germany, following the country's victory at the with the song "Satellite" by Lena. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union ...

, where they performed the song " Coming Home".

Personal life

Matthías has three sons with his wife, Brynja.

References

External links

* * {{authority control Living people 21st-century Icelandic singers Icelandic rock singers People from Dalvík Eurovision Song Contest entrants for Iceland Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 2011 Year of birth missing (living people)