The mainstream popularity of Sigur Rós seems at odds with its sprawling songs, which generally bear only minor resemblances to traditional pop. It’s no wonder that Sigur Rós referred to “Hoppípolla” as “the money song” before it had a name: It’s one of the only songs in the band’s mostly excellent catalog that gives in fully to pop’s pull, and it’s the one that has reached farthest into the mainstream.
Tag Archives: Sigur Rós
Music by Bergman: Jónsi
Jón “Jónsi” Þór Birgisson is an exceptional musician, whose signature move is playing guitar with a cello bow. Often praised as an otherworldly angel, Jónsi in fact does strike a lot like one because of his angelic falsetto voice.
Jónsi is the front man of the Icelandic post rock band Sigur Rós whose music has achieved a jaw dropping success. Jónsi has been involved in many music projects since the creation of Sigur Rós in 1992. 7 albums on his hand, collaborations with the movie industry resulting in several movie soundtracks, collaborations with his long term boyfriend Alex, as well as solo performances.
Jónsi returns with a new video for his single, “Swill.” “Swill” follows the release of “Exhale,” which he dropped in April. And the two songs are part of his first album in a decade, Shiver, set to release on Oct. 2 via Krunk. The record includes vocal contributions from Robyn and Liz Fraser of the Cocteau Twins. PC Music founder A.G. Cook headed production.
Divus Julius presents: Low Roar
Californian, Ryan Karazija started Low Roar when he moved to Reykavik, Iceland in 2010. It is easy to attribute his atmospheric music to Iceland. It immediately calls to mind the landscape feel as elicited by two of it’s most famous exports: Bjork and Sigur Ros. His eponymous 2011 debut, also showcased his delicate vocals, a cadence similar to Thom Yorke’s, that against the rich, cinematic background, found favor with fans of Radiohead; and bands inspired by them such as Other Lives.
Two years after Once in a Long, Long While…,they have just released a new album called ross. Tomorrow in concert a Sala Sidecar.
Music by Bergman: Magnolia Shoals
One of the most promising bands in Denmark these days, Magnolia Shoals, released their debut album, “Tenants”. The compositions are balanced – the sad, melancholic vocals give them depth. Many Danish bands are masters at ‘melancholy’, but Magnolia Shoals manages to take it to a higher level by incorporating classical instruments like violin, cello and trumpet, mix it with lyrics filled with symbolism and trump it with baritone-voice, which is not really so many out there. Each song has so many layers created by classical instruments, as well as the highly delicate use of electronic tools, almost barely heard, yet present. The perfection of the whole is fulfilled by the lyrics.
The four Danes: Nicolai Noa (vocal), Thomas Halkier (bass), Kristian Lorenzen (drums) og Samuel Medina (guitar), have always tried to do things their way and with a pace that suits them and not surrender to hype and dive into the first offer served. If you’re a fan of The National, Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, Sigur Ros and Tindersticks – then you’re already a fan of Magnolia Shoals!Tonight in concert at Antiga Fàbrica Damm of Barcelona
Ville à Dômat #145: Pura Vida
Pura vida! entrevistarem a la gent del Vida Festival que arrenca aquest proper cap de setmana. També us informarem del Canet Rock. Preguntarem al mestre Bergman quin efecte tindrà el Brexit amb la poderosa indústria musical britànica. Divus Julius Bonasera punxarà el més nou de Magnolia Shoals, Sigur Rós, Júníus Meyvant, Alexandra Savior, Metronomy, Teenage Fanclub, Róisín Murphy i The Divine Comedy. I, a més a més, us parlaem de la possibilitat del retorn del Doctor Music Festival i de la imminent reobertura de l’emblamàtica sala barcelonina La Paloma.
Dilluns 100.5FM 6.45pm
Ville à Dômat: Pura Vida.
Primavera Sound 2016 #Saturday
El Primavera Sound tanca edició amb una jornada final al Fòrum que es preveu històrica entre d’altres coses per la actuació de Brian Wilson, cervell, cor i motor dels Beach Boys, que coincidint amb el 50è aniversari de la seva publicació recupera en directe un dels àlbums que van canviar la història del pop, ‘Pet Sounds’ (1966). Veurem també els directes de la britànica PJ Harvey, que torna a la càrrega amb nou disc, ‘The hope six demolition project’ (2016), una nova mostra d’una de les carreres més impecables i ingovernables que ha donat el rock en les últimes dècades; els islandesos Sigur Rós, que surten de nou a la carretera per provar en directe noves cançons podrien incloure el seu proper treball, que ha de succeir a ‘Kveikur’ (2013); el hip hoper de Nova York Pusha T, que apadrinat per Kanye West, qui va produïr bona part del seu debut es consolida ara amb ‘King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude’ (2015); el retorn de Drive Like Jehu, padrins de l’emocore, una de les veus més irades del hardcore i una de les influències més esteses en el punk del segle XXI; el rei de l’underground nord-americà, l’hiperactiu Ty Segall; Moderat, el retorn de l’aventura comuna entre Modeselektor i Apparat, una unió que barreja techno trotant, bass music i pop sofisticat; la inclassificable joia synth-pop del duo de Brooklyn Chairlift; el noise garatger de l’espigat Bradford Cox i els seus Deerhunter; la californiana Julia Holter, que s’ha confirmat com a veu fonamental de la cançó contemporània; el crooner contemporani Richard Hawley o el retorn del pop radiant dels neozelandesos The Chills.
La representació estatal i catalana de l’última joranda està liderada pel referent capital del nou pop català, Manel, que presenten el seu quart disc, ‘Jo competeixo’ (2016); la revolució de PXXR GVNG, polèmics reis del trap estatal; el mític trio Los Chichos, caps visible de la rumba flamenca; el punk-pop urgent i irresistible del trio barceloní The Saurs; la vigatana Joana Serrat i el seu folk i americana o el folk-pop-rock lluminós i de tall clàssic dels granadins Pájaro Jack.
Productora de Pardals: Vök
El mestre Bergman i la seva Productora de Pardals ha viatjat fins a Islàndia, la terra de Björk, Sígur Ros, Ásgeir o Of Monster and Man, per conèixer a Vök. Aquest trio islandès musicalment parlant es troba al bell mig del minimalisme somiador de The XX i de l’electropop de Ladytron. Vök han publicat l’Ep “Circles” ple de melodies hipnòtiques i recentment el single “Waiting” de ritme esbiaixat on destaca la veu de la cantant Andri Már.
Ville à Dômat 