Music has always been a major part of George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series, A Song Of Ice And Fire and its TV show equivalent, Game Of Thrones. In the land of Westeros songs and bards are the world’s main source of stories and entertainment. From the silly story of “The Bear and the Maiden Fair” to the chilling warning carried by “The Rains of Castamere,” music has played a very important part in both the novels and the television show based on them. It’s interesting to see a world so driven by music be brought to life by a cast of actors with their own personal connections to music.
Kristian Nairn/Hodor
The first and most widely known actor on the show with a musical background is Hodor himself, Kristian Nairn. The 6’10” gentle giant of Game Of Thrones, Nairn has also made a name for himself in the club scene over the past few years as a DJ. He recently wrapped a tour through the United States he called “Rave Of Thrones” that ran from October into December of last year.
Natalia Tena/Osha
Nairn has shared the screen with the next actor on our list throughout their time on the show, Natalia Tena. Tena plays the wildling turned ally Osha who has aided Bran and Rickon Stark in avoiding capture after losing Winterfell. When she isn’t threatening men with a pointy stick, Tena plays the accordion and sings in her band Molotov Jukebox. The band, founded by Tena and her boyfriend, has released several albums and will be on tour around the UK this summer.
Jerome Flynn/Bronn
One of the most feared cut-throats in all of the land, Bronn spent several seasons as a personal bodyguard to Tyrion Lannister and leaving bodies in his wake. Before being one of the biggest badasses in Westros, Jerome Flynn had a successful recording career as one half of the crooner duo Robson & Jerome. The blond hair and ’90s clothes are a real shock to the system for Game Of Thrones fans.
Jacob Anderson/Grey Worm
To round out our cast is an actor that has only recently seen recognition for his musical work, Jacob Anderson, better known as Grey Worm. During the offseason, this deadly leader of Daenerys’ Unsullied takes to the stage under the name Raleigh Ritchie to deliver a pop/hip-hop sound fused with an Imagine Dragons style of rock that creates something just a little outside definition.
Cameos
Not only do cast members have seperate lives that they have dedicated to their musical craft, but the show has also seen several popular musicians and bands make cameos through out the four seasons it has run so far. In the third season Gary Lightbody, the lead singer of Snow Patrol made an appearance as one of the soldiers who captured Jamie and Brienne. Later in the season, Coldplay drummer Will Champion appeared as one of the members of the deadly band at the Red Wedding.
[Images: Buzz Feed]
Finally, at the beginning of the fourth season, another wedding was graced with real life musicians as the members of the Iclandic band Sigur-Ros played as the band at the wedding of Joffery and Margaery. Leave it to the boys who sing in their own language to play some of the most ridiculous looking instruments on the show.
[Image: Wall Street Journal]
Can you think of anyone we missed? Let us know in the comments below, and join us as we get psyched for the season five premiere of Game Of Thrones tonight at 9pm!
