Summary of Laufey

Overview of Laufey

In this episode of Armchair Expert, Dax Shepard and Monica Padman talk with Laufey, the Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter and two-time Grammy winner, about her unusual upbringing, her identical twin sister, her classical music training, and how she evolved from a disciplined young cellist into a breakout pop/jazz artist. The conversation centers on identity, creativity, confidence, and the long road from childhood performance to viral success, including her rise during the pandemic, her debut and follow-up albums, and her experience performing at Coachella between two festival weekends.

Key Takeaways

Her multicultural, transnational upbringing shaped everything

• Laufey was born in Iceland to a Chinese mother and Icelandic father.
• Her mom moved to Iceland to play violin in the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.
• She spent parts of her childhood in Iceland, Washington, D.C., and China, which gave her a strong sense of being “different” without feeling alone.
• She discussed how Iceland’s homogeneity made her hyper-aware of race and identity, while China felt more embracing when she spoke Mandarin and engaged with the culture.

Classical training gave her discipline, not just skill

• Laufey and her identical twin sister were raised in a highly musical household.
• She studied cello, piano, and voice, and performed in serious musical settings from a young age.
• Her mother emphasized habits, discipline, and consistency, not winning or perfection.
• Laufey credits that structure with helping her later in college, work, touring, and life in general.

Her twin sister is a major part of her life and career

• Laufey brought her identical twin sister, Júnía (spelling may vary in transcript), and described their bond as deeply intertwined.
• The twins were often treated as a unit growing up and resented being called simply “the twins.”
• Her sister is now a major creative support and contributes as her creative director and sometimes even plays violin on her music.
• The episode leans into the fascination with twins, including stories about switching classes, identity confusion, and shared personalities.

Berkeley and heartbreak helped unlock her songwriting

• Laufey entered Berklee College of Music on a cello scholarship, initially unsure whether music would become her career.
• Being around students who were more experimental and collaborative changed her perspective.
• She realized that in her world, the best musician was not just the best technician but also the best creator.
• Her first major songwriting breakthrough came through a painful first heartbreak, which inspired “Street by Street.”
• That song helped her turn a period of depression into a creative breakthrough.

Social media and the pandemic accelerated her rise

• During the early pandemic, she returned to Washington, D.C. and began posting regularly: singing, playing cello, and mixing standards with original songs.
• She built a community through consistency, live streams, and direct interaction with fans.
• This momentum led into her EP, debut album, and the rapid growth of her audience.
• Laufey emphasized that her success felt authentic because it came from a genuine love of both cello and singing.

She’s now a major artist, but still feels caught up with the pace

• Laufey discussed the speed of her rise from college to Grammy-winning artist and said she still feels like she’s playing catch-up.
• Albums mentioned include:
  • Everything I Know About Love
  • Bewitched
  • A Matter of Time
  • A Matter of Time: The Final Hour (deluxe version)
• She also noted that her music has evolved to be more honest and experimental, especially on A Matter of Time.

Coachella was a big milestone

• The interview was recorded between her two Coachella performances.
• She described the experience as thrilling but daunting, especially because:
  • she couldn’t fully soundcheck or rehearse on the festival stage,
  • the wind and weather affected production,
  • she had to vocal rest and prepare carefully,
  • and she was surrounded by huge acts and a very “peak” festival crowd.
• She prefers full control over her own shows, but still sees festival stages as important for introducing new fans to her music.

She’s more relaxed and mischievous than people assume

• Laufey’s calm, poised public image doesn’t fully match her personality.
• She says she is not as type-A as people think, is often chronically late, and likes to have fun.
• She’s also very comfortable onstage, where she feels most like herself.
• She spoke openly about being insecure in love, even while feeling secure in her art and performance.
• She also said she is happy and in love now.

Notable Topics Discussed

Identity and belonging

• Being half Chinese and half Icelandic
• Feeling different in homogenous environments
• White-passing experiences and racial awareness
• Cultural differences between Iceland and China

Family and discipline

• Parenting through structure instead of pressure
• The difference between healthy rigor and harmful control
• How sibling relationships can be brutally honest and supportive

Music and artistry

• Classical vs. jazz/pop creativity
• Why cello feels emotional and melodic to her
• The importance of sound, storytelling, and originality
• How she blends classical arrangements with modern songwriting

Confidence, image, and dating

• Insecurity as a teenager
• Fear of crushes and rejection
• Learning to trust herself in love
• Managing fame, style, and public scrutiny

Children’s book

• She also discussed her children’s book Maymay the Bunny
• The book follows a nervous bunny preparing for a performance and learning that mistakes can become something beautiful

Main Takeaways

• Laufey’s artistry is rooted in discipline, family, and cultural complexity.
• Her twin sister, classical upbringing, and multicultural childhood were not side notes—they are central to her identity.
• Her breakout happened when she finally allowed herself to write from lived experience instead of trying to fit a market.
• She’s succeeded by staying authentic, especially in the unusual combo of cello + vocals + jazz/pop sensibility.
• Despite the rapid rise, she still seems grounded in curiosity, humor, and a strong sense of self.

Projects Mentioned

• Albums
  • Everything I Know About Love
  • Bewitched
  • A Matter of Time
  • A Matter of Time: The Final Hour
• Songs
  • “Street by Street”
  • “From the Start”
  • “Promise”
  • “Mad Woman”
• Book
  • Maymay the Bunny