About Flóki Studios
A creative home shaped by place.
Flóki Studios is a recording studio and creative home on the northern coast of Iceland, built around a simple idea: when artists are given time, space and a deep connection to place, something different can happen. Surrounded by mountains, ocean and open sky, Flóki brings together world-class recording tools, residential accommodations and the natural environment of Iceland in one immersive creative experience. What began with the creation of the studio in 2021 has grown into a broader platform for recording, releases, sessions and collaboration.
A Building Reimagined
Originally built in 1919, the building that is now home to Flóki Studios has served the surrounding community for more than a century. Over the years, it has been a grocery store, cooperative, gas station and gathering place, connecting people in this remote corner of Northern Iceland.
In 2021, the team at Eleven saw an opportunity to give the then-unused building a new purpose. The vision was to transform it into a recording studio, a place where artists could step away from the distractions of everyday life and focus fully on making music.
Wade Koeman, Director of Flóki Studios, led the technical design and buildout of the studio, including equipment specification, signal-flow design, studio layout and installation, working alongside the Eleven team as the physical space was redesigned and rebuilt. Over the fall of 2021, the century-old building was transformed into what would become Flóki Studios.
The decision to build a studio here was rooted in something the team had felt on earlier visits to the area. There was an unmistakable energy to the place. Its remoteness, dramatic landscape and sense of stillness created an environment that felt naturally suited to creativity. Flóki was built around the belief that giving artists the right space, time and surroundings can change not only how they work, but what they create.
Building Flóki Studios, Fall 2021
The Spirit of Flóki
The studio was named for the bold Viking Flóki, who followed the path of a raven to discover Iceland more than 1,000 years ago. Around the year 868 AD, the Norwegian Viking Flóki Vilgerdason set sail to establish a settlement in Iceland. Legend has it that he made a pact with three ravens who joined his ship. Believing they would help him find land, he asked them to guide him on his way. At sea, Flóki set the first raven free, and it flew toward the rear of the ship. The second raven took to the air and flew off to the Faroe Islands. But the third raven flew out ahead of the ship with strong purpose, so Flóki set his course to follow the third raven. In time he found land; that land would become known as Iceland. Flóki settled and lived the rest of his life in our beautiful valley, Flókadalur – The Valley of Flóki.
Flóki’s story is Icelandic lore, and his use of ravens for maritime navigation earned him the name ‘Raven Flóki.’
Raven Flóki’s story has inspired generations. He has featured in books, novels, and on television, and a monument in his honor was built in our valley, just upstream from our studio. We are proud to create our own tribute to Raven Flóki— a world-class recording studio where artists create and collaborate in a relaxed environment with outstanding gear and amenities, surrounded by the striking natural beauty of the Icelandic coastline which is there for artists to explore and enjoy. Whether it is marveling at the northern lights or getting the adrenaline going with rafting, surfing, hiking, biking or horseback riding… Flóki Studios offers artists an escape from the real world, inspiring creativity and friendship.
Flóki Studios offers a platform for artists to explore their passion on the edge of the arctic circle. Like Flóki, we have followed our own ravens here to help inspire those that inspire the world.
The Team At Flóki Studios:
Wade Koeman
Director, Flóki Studios
Wade Koeman has served as Director of Flóki Studios since its inception in 2021. He led the technical design and buildout of the studio, from equipment specification and signal-flow design to studio layout and installation, helping shape Flóki into a recording environment built around both musical possibility and the character of its surroundings.
As a recording engineer, Wade remains deeply involved in the work that happens inside the studio, working directly with artists, producers and engineers from the first stages of a session through the recording process itself. Today, he oversees Flóki’s studio operations, artist sessions and continued technical development, while also helping guide the broader creative direction of Flóki Studios and its label.
