
S7 EP5: Laufey discusses viral fame, partying with Bill Murray and the benefits of boredom
The Louis Theroux Podcast
Writing process and instruments
Laufey outlines starting songs with titles or concepts, composing simultaneously and finding freedom on guitar.
Louis sits down with Laufey, Grammy-award winning Icelandic singer and songwriter. Laufey tells Louis about her stratospheric rise to fame on TikTok, partying with Bill Murray, and why everyone can benefit from being a bit bored. Brace yourself for major music geekery.
Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.
Links/Attachments:
Album: A Matter of Time, Laufey (2025)
https://open.spotify.com/album/5rMOCuiWWbEBcHaKM69Hmv
Whiplash (2014)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582802/
“The Great American Songbook”
https://thesongbook.org/about/what-is-the-songbook/
Singing in the Rain (1952)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045152/
An American in Paris (1951)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043278/
On the Town (1949)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041716/
Ziegfeld Follies (1945)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039116/
The Sound of Music (1965)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059742/
Mary Poppins (1964)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058331/
Shirley Temple (1928 – 2014)
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000073/
Song: ‘One Note Samba’, Antônio Carlos Jobim (1960)
https://open.spotify.com/track/1UJQJz6ZP0qKGU55fRDcyI?si=ef59b3251c18423d
Album: Getz/Gilberto, Stan Getz and João Gilberto (1964)
https://open.spotify.com/album/73ZRKdD3Ds43IjHrhKgucY?si=a1Fe3WkdS7eFZpoH9IYufA
Album: Chet Baker Sings: It Could Happen to You (1958)
https://open.spotify.com/album/5CNRrD9O1kCaBvN1RyHRdt?si=gK_1vEjQQAmSBs3RWeOAKw
Let’s Get Lost (1988)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095515/
Song: ‘From The Start’, Laufey (2023)
https://open.spotify.com/track/43iIQbw5hx986dUEZbr3eN?si=4f08726cd6fc4307
Song: ‘It Could Happen to You’, Chet Baker (1958)
https://open.spotify.com/track/5J8ahRMQ9Y1lRcuAhpP5Fy?si=b55e1844542c44fb
Song: ‘James’, Laufey (2021)
https://open.spotify.com/track/2y1NtQ2ZfIq0zBUP3tOlbX?si=15ac3bbfa0c74cf7
Song: ‘Mr. Eclectic’, Laufey (2025)
https://open.spotify.com/track/5n934Lu8pAsAHLc155qzck?si=f9ed9e496ee847d7
Song: ‘Goddess’, Laufey (2024)
https://open.spotify.com/track/2SEeyc2KS9DIjiJPCYtfgJ?si=a740ddd0858249d6
Song: ‘Creep’, Radiohead (1993)
https://open.spotify.com/track/70LcF31zb1H0PyJoS1Sx1r?si=ddeef2a9f1e34bdf
Song: ‘Letter To My 13 Year Old Self’, Laufey (2023)
https://open.spotify.com/track/59Y1f3y8FuLjadWY9Bx2LC?si=2a76c204cb644895
Song: ‘How Soon Is Now?’, The Smiths (1984)
https://open.spotify.com/track/1YrnDTqvcnUKxAIeXyaEmU?si=05763f85a40041c3
Album: Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Rodgers And Hart Song Book, Ella Fitzgerald (1956)
https://open.spotify.com/album/3DXgUbJhOxidQC3l0tegY9?si=_42fBZG1SZ2WrNwYoL88VA
Song: ‘Miss Otis Regrets’, Ella Fitzgerald (1956)
https://open.spotify.com/track/5dvh4M2Lo0aEXp5D0IJGH1?si=fd41d6fba27748df
‘Santa Baby’, Laufey Music Video feat. Bill Murray
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_SsGMeJIHk
Song: ‘Too Little, Too Late’, Laufey (2025)
https://open.spotify.com/track/1qJnr4Bm7OAauklV18Vdah?si=6fc52bba5b5f48f5
Song: ‘Hallelujah’, Leonard Cohen (1984)
https://open.spotify.com/track/6s1mt6e0n8G7jcNhcxXKzq?si=400cab129f6d4083
Ballet: Giselle, Royal Ballet & Opera (2026)
https://www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/giselle-marius-petipa-details
Book: ‘How to Be an Artist’, Jerry Saltz (2020)
https://www.waterstones.com/book/how-to-be-an-artist/jerry-saltz/9781781577820
Credits:
Producer: Millie Chu
Assistant Producer: Maan al-Yasiri
Production Manager: Francesca Bassett
Music: Miguel D’Oliveira
Audio Mixer: Tom Guest
Video Mixer: Scott Edwards
Shownotes compiled by Elly Young
Executive Producer: Arron Fellows
A Mindhouse Studios Production for Spotify
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