Fossatún was created by Steinar Berg Ísleifsson with support from his wife Ingibjörg Pálsdóttir. Steinar graduated from the Icelandic School of Commerce in 1971 and planned to continue for university but music changed that and instead at 19 he became manager of Faco’s music department from 1971 to 1975.
In the summer of 1975, Steinar released the album Sumar á Sýrlandi with Stuðmenn and later founded the Steinar h.f. record label. Steinar was the managing director and main owner. This developed into Spor hf. and the music department of Skífan and Norðurljós until 2001. That year he and his wife bought the farm Fossatún.
Following the first album release came hundreds of albums with most of Iceland’s best and most popular artists, plus running record shops, video rentals and representation of many international record companies such as: CBS (later Sony), Warner Bros, Atlantic, Elektra, Chrysalis, Virgin, Stiff and many more.
Steinar was a pioneer in promoting Icelandic music abroad when he founded Steinar Records Limited in the UK. Through tireless work and a strong belief in Icelandic music, the song Garden Party by Mezzoforte reached number 17 on the British charts in early 1983. The first Icelandic artist to chart internationally. It was also popular in Europe and Asia. The Surprise, Surprise album and following albums also did well. Mezzoforte are still touring internationally and celebrating 50 years in 2027.
In Fossatún Steinar set up a small label Steinsnar hf. It became very successful and had two best selling albums in Iceland in 2004. In 2005 Steinar and Ingibjörg decided to concentrate on the Fossatún operation.
On 12th March 2025 Steinar Berg received the honorary award for his contribution to Icelandic Music from Icelandic Music Awards.
Fossatún is located on road no. 50. Coming from Reykjavik take road no. 1 to Borgarnes (74 km.) Turn right into road no. 50 before crossing the Borgarnes bridge. From there it is 18 km. to Fossatún – it is well marked and visible from the road. There is no public transport to Fossatún.
Map of West Region of Iceland – Fossatún is in the centre
GPS coordinate: 64.5926° N, 21.5776° W
Fossatún
The paved road is road 50 – The entrance to Fossatún is 100 meters to left after crossing the bridge. Go to reception.
