TwoTricky

TwoTricky is an Icelandic music duo made up of Kristján Gíslason and Gunnar Ólason. They formed around 2000 and gained fame for representing Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2001. Both members are seasoned Icelandic musicians with their own careers before and after their collaboration. TwoTricky’s music is pop/rock, and the duo is remembered for their Eurovision entry “Angel.” In addition to their joint work, Gíslason and Ólason have pursued solo projects, appeared in national music contests, and engaged in various musical and media activities in Iceland. 

Kristján Gíslason – Early Career and Solo Work

Kristján Gíslason (born 27 July 1969) began his music career in the 1980s in his hometown of Sauðárkrókur, Iceland. As a teenager he sang and played keyboard in local bands, achieving success in Músíktilraunir (an Icelandic battle-of-the-bands). His band “Herramenn” placed second in the national band contest two years in a row (1987 and 1988).

In 1991 Gíslason entered Söngvakeppnin, the Icelandic Eurovision selection, as a solo singer. He performed two songs in the 1991 national final, managing to finish second with one entry and tenth with another. Although he did not win that year, this experience made him a familiar name in Iceland’s music scene. Throughout the 1990s, Kristján remained active as a performer and often worked as a backing vocalist for other artists. Notably, he provided backing vocals for Iceland’s entries at Eurovision in 1994, 1995 and 2000. By the end of the 1990s, Gíslason was an established singer known for his strong voice and reliable stage presence.

Return to Eurovision

In 2001, Kristján Gíslason’s career hit a high point when he teamed up with Gunnar Ólason to form TwoTricky. That year, they won the national selection with the song “Birta” and went on to represent Iceland at Eurovision (more on this in the TwoTricky section below). After Eurovision, Gíslason continued to stay involved in music and media. He released a solo single “Kominn aftur” in 2005 and remained a sought-after backing singer in various projects.

In 2010 he was a backing vocalist for Hera Björk’s Eurovision performance. The following year, Kristján made another attempt to return to Eurovision as a lead artist. In 2011 he entered the Icelandic finals again, singing the song “Þessi þrá” with the band Íslenska Sveitin. This bid did not win, but it highlighted his enduring presence in the Icelandic music scene. Over the years, Gíslason has frequently appeared on television during national music shows and tribute concerts, and he has lent his voice to charity events. Kristján’s later career includes releasing new music (such as singles in 2011 and 2018) and performing at local festivals. By 2025, he remains an active figure in Icelandic music, known as a veteran singer who continues to perform and support other artists.

Gunnar Ólason – Early Career and Solo Work

Gunnar Ólason (born 27 May 1976) is a singer and guitarist who grew up in Selfoss, a town in south Iceland. He showed musical talent from a young age and in his teens co-founded the pop-rock band Skítamórall around the late 1980s. (Despite some sources citing 1989, the band’s major activity occurred in the late 1990s.) Skítamórall, with Ólason as lead vocalist and guitarist, gained popularity in Iceland for their upbeat songs sung in Icelandic.

The band released several albums and radio hits; for example, they had a successful song “Sælan” in the late 1990s. Gunnar Ólason’s role in Skítamórall made him a well-known name in the local music circuit before his Eurovision fame. By 2000, he had years of experience performing with the band at concerts and festivals. In 2001, Gunnar took on a new opportunity when he joined Kristján Gíslason to form the duo TwoTricky for Iceland’s Eurovision bid.

Solo projects and Sjonni’s Friends

After the TwoTricky project, Gunnar Ólason continued with his musical career, both with his band and as a solo artist. Skítamórall remained active for some time, performing occasionally and even releasing a greatest-hits compilation. Gunnar also explored solo projects. He recorded “Komdu um jólin,” a Christmas song that became popular in Iceland, featured on the 100 Íslensk Jólalög compilation. Throughout the 2000s, he released a few singles and worked on a solo album, though his solo releases were gradual. An Icelandic newspaper in 2009 noted that Gunnar had put out three songs toward an upcoming solo album over an eight-year period, reflecting a deliberate pace in his solo output. In addition to studio work, Gunnar remained a performer: he would appear at live events, sometimes singing duets or participating in tribute shows on TV. A decade after TwoTricky’s Eurovision, Gunnar found himself on the Eurovision stage again.

In 2011, he was invited to join Sigurjón’s Friends (Sjonni’s Friends), a tribute band formed to perform a song in honor of the late singer Sigurjón Brink. This group won Iceland’s national selection and went on to represent Iceland at Eurovision 2011 with “Coming Home.” It meant Gunnar Ólason represented Iceland twice at Eurovision. Outside of music, Gunnar keeps a lower public profile, focusing on family life and local performances. He continues to create music; notably, in 2024 he released a single called “Árið 2001,” a nostalgic nod to the year of his first Eurovision appearance. By 2025, Gunnar is regarded as a versatile Icelandic musician who has contributed to the pop-rock scene and experienced the Eurovision spotlight two times.

TwoTricky and Eurovision 2001

TwoTricky was officially active as a duo from 2000 to about 2003. The collaboration began when Kristján Gíslason and Gunnar Ólason were selected to perform together for Iceland’s Eurovision Song Contest entry in 2001. Their song “Birta” (meaning “Brightness” in Icelandic) was composed by Einar Bárðarson with Magnús Þór Sigmundsson.

Gíslason and Ólason entered “Birta” into Söngvakeppnin 2001, Iceland’s national song competition. They won the national final held in February 2001, securing 5,710 televotes and a first-place finish. This victory earned them the ticket to represent Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 in Copenhagen. For the international contest, the duo adopted the stage name TwoTricky (sometimes stylized as Two Tricky). They also recorded an English version of “Birta” titled “Angel” for the Eurovision final.

At Eurovision on May 12, 2001, TwoTricky performed “Angel” as Iceland’s entry. Kristján Gíslason was the lead vocalist while Gunnar Ólason sang harmony and played guitar on stage. The competition was tough and the song did not manage to score highly. Iceland finished 22nd (joint last) out of 23 entries, with only 3 points. This result was a disappointment for TwoTricky and Icelandic fans, marking Iceland’s worst Eurovision placement in twelve years.

After the contest, TwoTricky released “Angel” as a single, including both the English and Icelandic versions. They made a few media appearances following Eurovision, performing on Icelandic TV and at summer concerts in 2001. However, the duo did not produce a full album together. By 2003, TwoTricky had quietly stopped working as a formal duo, and both members returned focus to their individual careers. 

Later Activities

Kristján

Both Kristján Gíslason and Gunnar Ólason stayed active in the entertainment world after TwoTricky. Kristján Gíslason established himself as a respected figure in Icelandic music. He often appears as a backing vocalist in national music competitions and has been involved in multiple Eurovision-related projects. For example, Kristján provided backing vocals for Iceland’s Eurovision entries in 2013 (“Ég á líf”) and 2016 (“Hear Them Calling”), contributing to performances that reached an international audience. His reliability and experience made him a go-to backing singer for live shows.

In 2022, Kristján was selected as one of the jury members for Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest. Outside the Eurovision sphere, he occasionally performs at charity events and on television programs celebrating Icelandic music. Kristján has also released solo material over the years, focusing mostly on singles rather than albums. He sings in both Icelandic and English, and his songs are known for their melodic, easy-listening style. With decades of experience, Kristján Gíslason is viewed as a veteran singer who mentors younger artists and continues to sing for various projects, maintaining a positive reputation as a professional, down-to-earth musician.

Gunnar

Gunnar Ólason, on the other hand, balanced his post-Eurovision life with both band reunions and solo work. He rejoined his band Skítamórall for special performances; the group would sometimes reunite for anniversary concerts or local festivals, much to the delight of fans who remembered their 90s hits. Gunnar’s smooth vocals and guitar skills remain central to the band’s sound.

In his solo endeavors, Gunnar explored different musical styles. He collaborated with other Icelandic artists, for instance, he took part in a trio song “Árið 2001” in collaboration with fellow singers Hreimur and Magni, reflecting on the year of their Eurovision experiences. Gunnar also continued to record seasonally popular songs. His Christmas track “Komdu um jólin” (“Come for Christmas”) became a holiday staple on Icelandic radio and playlists. Over time, Gunnar has appeared on television in music specials and has given interviews about his Eurovision memories.

In 2011, his involvement in Sjonni’s Friends showed his supportive character, as he helped honor a friend’s memory through music on an international stage. By 2025, Gunnar is recognized as an experienced performer who has navigated the ups and downs of the music industry. He may not constantly seek the spotlight, but he enjoys creating music and occasionally surprising listeners with new releases (such as his 2024 single).