The name KALEO comes from a Hawaiian word that translates to “the sound.” However, the band’s origins trace back to halfway across the world from Hawaii, just outside of Reykjavik, Iceland. Lead singer Jökull Júlíusson (JJ) infuses his Icelandic roots into crafting KALEO’s soulful blues and folk-infected anthems that have earned sensational international acclaim. JJ’s smoky vocals, introspective lyrics, and singular guitar licks led to multiple global hits, including 2015’s “Way Down We Go.” KALEO has toured the world from sweaty nightclubs filled with diehard fans to mammoth crowds at Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza, drawing comparisons to artists like Hozier and Ray LaMontagne.

Their Mixed Emotions album tour, befitting of its title, mixes a fresh variety of genres and styles into the Icelandic rockers’ repertoire of signature blues rock sound. “I definitely don’t like to do a single thing,” said JJ. “I like to mix it up and have some dynamics to the album, just like our live show.”