Usually on Out of the Box, we meet people through the music they love. Today we met producer and composer Ólafur Arnalds through the music he makes.

In an hour-long special hosted by #1 fan Ash Berdebes, Ólafur talked synths and Chopin, minimalism and the Tao Te Ching, Mossfellsbaer, the beauty of imperfection, and playing games to create ‘happy accidents’ in music.

Ash: Are you a perfectionist?

“I am, but I don’t want to be. I can’t deny that I am, but perfection is not necessarily a good thing. And I try to avoid it. I try to work with spontaneity, and just capturing a moment. I find that much more interesting than to work for weeks on something and making it absolutely perfect with no mistakes because… where’s the humanity in that? We’re not perfect, so why should our music be? All these mistakes that we make, that’s where you get the real music actually.”

Stream the full hour below and hear songs from his various collaborations – Kiasmos, the Chopin Project, and his collaboration with Nils Frahm. Full playlist here.

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WHAT: Graphic presents: Ólafur Arnalds with visuals by Mani Sifusson and 13-piece chamber orchestra
WHERE: Sydney Opera House
WHEN: Saturday 10 October, 9:30pm
HOW MUCH: Tickets from $49 here