Born in Iceland, but based in New Zealand for the past decade, Hera is one of the most promising singer songwriters this side of the globe.

She began with classical guitar at the age of 8, and by 14 was writing her own songs. She has released five studio albums - one in Icelandic, Hafid Thennan Dag (2003) which went gold in Iceland (2005).

Her first two albums were independently produced. However, when a track from her second album Itchy Palms was chosen as the title song for the award-winning Icelandic film Hafi (The Sea, Hera found herself performing at the premier and the film being distributed to over 30 countries. Hera claimed two nominations at the 2002 Icelandic Music Awards, receiving 'Best Singer': an award that had been dominated by the likes of Bjork and Emiliana Torrini for the past decade.

Her song Makebelieve was a finalist was a finalist in the 2002 USA Songwriting Competition, and became the third most played song on Icelandic radio in 2003.

When in Iceland, Hera has kept busy with impressive tour schedules (37 shows in two months), notable for being the first woman to tour Iceland as a solo musician, and supporting such notables as Joe Cocker and Nick Cave on their tours of her homeland, performed at Glastonbury in 2005. Recently Hera has completed a tour of Europe and the UK through the European Roadworks music project.

Her latest album Don't Play This was released in late 2005 and was enthusiastically received. A video of one of the tracks - Feathers In A Bag - was directed Einar Snorri , who has worked on projects for REM and Simple Minds.

SUPPORT:

Fiddle and accordian with Sophia Bidwell and Jeremy Brownbrooke - with a surprise or two...