biography of bjรถrk
KOSMIKA EDITORIAL directed by Cristóbal Bahamondes. Editorial Design directed by Cristóbal Bahamondes.
Editorial Design / First. First edition, december of 2012.
© 2012 Björk Guðmundsdóttir / Sir David Attenborough. © 2012 Kosmika C/S Editorial, Santiago.
Guðmundsdóttir, Björk Biophilia, the biography of Björk / Björk Guðmundsdóttir and Sir David Attenborough – 1st ed. Chile: Kosmica C/S, 2012. x p.; 20x20 cm. [Library of design; 1] ISBN 950-9282-43-X 1. Biography, Guðmundsdóttir, Björk, I, Title. COD 741.6
ISBN 950-9282-43-X In accordance with the law 11.723 Printed in Chile, Impreso en Chile. Pre-printed and printed: Guatones metaleros.
05. It’s Oh...
24. Early Life
40. Another...
52. Discography
83. So Quiet...
1.
It’s oh so...
“I will see the same girl The same soul Lioness, fireheart Passionate lover...�
“Only if a ship would sail in or just someone came and knocked at my door or just something�
2.
Early life
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Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
2
Björk was born and raised in Reykjavík, Iceland. Her mother is Hildur Rúna Hauksdóttir, an activist who protested against Kárahnjúkar, a controversial hydro-electric development in Iceland, and her father is Guðmundur Gunnarsson, a union leader and electrician. Her musical career began when she was eleven with her study of classical piano in elementary school. One of her instructors sent a recording of Björk singing Tina Charles’ song “I Love to Love” to RÚV, then the only radio station in Iceland. The recording was broadcast on radio nationally; after hearing it, a representative of the record label Fálkinn contacted Björk to offer a record contract. An album, Björk, was recorded and released in 1977. In her teens, Björk was influenced by punk; at 14 she formed the all-girl punk band Spit and Snot, shortly followed by the jazz fusion group Exodus in 1979. In 1980 she graduated from music school. In 1981 she and bassist Jakob Magnússon formed another band called Jam-80, which later became Tappi Tíkarrass (which means “Cork the Bitch’s Ass” in Icelandic), and released an extended single, “Bítið Fast í Vítið” in the same year. Their album, Miranda, was released in 1983. Björk collaborated with Einar Örn Benediktsson and Einar Melax from Purrkur Pillnikk, and Guðlaugur Óttarsson, Sigtryggur Baldursson, and Birgir Mogensen from Þeyr. After writing songs and rehearsing for two
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
3
weeks, the new band, KUKL (“sorcery” in Icelandic),
It, was a collection of dance remixes of earlier material, a
developed a sound described as Gothic rock. Björk
result of Bjork’s fascination with the genre. By the end of
began to show indications of her trademark singing
the year, they had finalized the group’s name: Sykurmo-
style, which was punctuated by howls and shrieks.
larnir, or, in English, the Sugarcubes. The success of the Icelandic version of the group’s dreamy and remarkable
KUKL toured Iceland with anarchist UK punk band Crass,
first single, “Birthday” in 1987, led to them signing a record
and later visited the UK in a series of performances with
deal with Elektra. In spring of 1988, their debut album,
Flux of Pink Indians. They produced two albums as a result
Life’s Too Good, was released in America to glowing
of these collaborations: The Eye in 1984, and Holidays in
reviews. Besides Birthday the jangly, somewhat puzzling
Europe in 1986, both on Crass Records. The band even-
“Motorcrash” also received a good bit of airplay. A se-
tually dissolved, in part due to the closure of their label,
cond CD, Here Today Tomorrow Next Week, didn’t fare
Gramm. In mid-1986, several members of KUKL and the
as well, however. In 1990, took some time out to record
surrealist group Medusa got together to create the arts
Gling Glo, an album of traditional Icelandic jazz tunes.
collective Smekkleysa (Bad Taste). They created a musical
Though the Sugarcubes third album, 1992’s
division, a band again called KUKL, but soon changed the
Stick Around for Joy, generated the aptly titled single,
name to The Sugarcubes. Bjork and her husband, guitarist
“Hit” the band broke up later that year. By that time,
Thor Eldon, had a son, Sindri, born June 8, 1986, and
most of the Sugarcubes notoriety focused around
on the same day a new band was founded, featuring the
Bjork anyway; her departure to begin a solo career
two happy parents, plus several former Kukl members. In
made sense. The Sugarcubes swan song, It’s It, was
1986, Bjork and fellow Kukl members Einer Orn and Siggi
released late in 1992; an album of re-mixes, it pre-
Baldurson formed the pop group the Sugarcubes.
saged Bjork’s solo work with dance re-mixes.
Joined by new members Thor Eldon (with whom Bjork conceived a child in 1986), Magg Ornotfsdottir and Bragi Olafsson, Sugarcubes released their full-length debut, Life’s Too Good, in 1988, winning a cult following in the U.K. and U.S. The final Sugarcubes album, 1992’s It’s
* While with the Sugarcubes, Björk participated in several side projects. She recorded Gling-Gló, a collection of popular jazz and original work, with the jazz group Trio Guðmundar Ingólfssonar, released in Iceland. Björk also contributed vocals to 808 State’s album “Falling”.
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
4
Having split up with Thor, Bjork and her son moved to
recording? A new twist on modern dance music? Either
London in 1993. The move allowed her to work with
way, it’s likely to be another bold step along her utterly
producers in the British dance music scene, and it was
unique musical path. In 2000, the diminutive Icelandic pop
one of the finest, Nellee Hooper, who helmed Bjork’s
star appeared on the big screen in the critically acclaimed
first solo album, Debut. The release featured two Top
film by Danish director Lars von Trier, Dancer In The Dark.
20 singles, Human Behaviour and Big Time Sensuality.
Though it was rumored that tension grew between the
After relocating to London, Bjork released 1995’s Post,
director and his star, who also scored the film, Bjork won
which outsold her first album thanks to innovative co-
the Best Actress prize at the Cannes Film Festival for her
llaborations with techno gurus Graham Massey, Howie
performance. Further acclaim arrived in early 2001, when
B and Tricky. Highlighted by a tremendous single, the
Bjork and von Trier were nominated for a Best Song Aca-
timpani-and-sampled-guitar-fueled Human Behaviour.
demy Award for I’ve Seen It All. She made fashion history
Debut received wildly varying reviews, getting tras-
when she wore her infamous “swan dress” while perfor-
hed by Rolling Stone but lauded by many others.
ming the song at the 2001 Academy Award Ceremony.
The numbers tell the real story: sales figures for Debut finally established Bjork as a star. In 1995, Bjork followed
In 2001, Björk released the album Vespertine. The album
up with the more melancholy Post. It didn’t make the same
featured chamber orchestras, choirs, hushed vocals,
kind of sales impact as Debut, despite the hugely enter-
microbeats made from household sounds, and personal,
taining, Busby Berkeley-ish video for Blow a Fuse (It’s Oh
vulnerable themes. She collaborated with experimental
So Quiet)”a Bjork-does-big-band-jazz extravaganza. Early
sound manipulators Matmos, Denmark-based DJ Thomas
1997 saw the release of Telegram, in which nearly every
Knak, and the experimental harpist Zeena Parkins for the
track from Post was either re-mixed or re-recorded by co-
album. Lyrical sources included the works of American
llaborators ranging from Dillinja to Deodato to the Brodsky
poet E. E. Cummings, the American independent filmmaker
Quartet. Where Bjork goes from here is anyone’s guess.
Harmony Korine and English playwright Sarah Kane’s
She recently conducted a radio interview with Karlheinz
penultimate play, Crave. To coincide with the album’s
Stockhausen, the classical electronic-music pioneer.
release, Björk released a coffee table book of loose prose
Will she next create some sort of experimental ambient
and photographs titled Björk. She embarked on a tour of
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
5
graphs titled Björk. Björk embarked on a tour of theatres
many previously unreleased versions of her compositions,
and opera houses in Europe and North America in support
including her work with the Brodsky Quartet. Also relea-
of the album, accompanied by the musicians Matmos,
sed alongside Family Tree was the album Greatest Hits, a
Zeena Parkins and an Inuit choir, whom she had held audi-
retrospective of the previous 10 years of her solo career
tions for on a trip to Greenland prior to the tour. At the time,
as deemed by the public. The songs on the album were
Vespertine was Björk’s quickest selling album ever, having
chosen by Björk’s fans through a poll on her website. A
sold two million copies by the end of 2001.
DVD edition of the CD was also released. It contained all of
Vespertine spawned three singles: “Hidden Place”,
Björk’s solo music videos up to that point. The new single
“Pagan Poetry”, and “Cocoon.” MTV2 played the album’s
from the set, “It’s In Our Hands”, charted in the UK at
first video, “Hidden Place”, which was subsequently relea-
number 37. The video, directed by Spike Jonze, features a
sed as a DVD single. However, the next video, for “Pagan
heavily pregnant Björk.
Poetry”, brought Björk to an even higher level of controversy with the channel. The song’s video features graphic pier-
Björk and the Brodsky Quartet recorded a composition
cings, Björk’s exposed nipples, and simulated fellatio.As a
written, especially for her, by composer John Tavener
result, the clip was initially rarely shown by MTV, and certain
called “Prayer Of The Heart” in 2001, and it was played
parts (for example, Björk’s breasts) were censored during
then for a slide show presentation in 2003 for the American
the rare occasions when it was played. In 2002, the clip
photographer, Nan Goldin.
finally enjoyed unedited American airing as part of a late
In 2003, Björk released a box set called Live Box,
night special on MTV2 entitled “Most Controversial Music
consisting of four CDs containing live recordings of her
Videos”. The video for “Cocoon” also featured a seemingly
previous albums and a DVD featuring a video of one track
naked Björk (actually wearing a close fitting bodysuit), this
from each CD. Each of the four CDs were later released
time with her nipples secreting a red thread that eventually enveloped the singer in a cocoon. The video was directed by Japanese artist Eiko Ishioka and was not aired by MTV. 2002 saw the appearance of the CD box set Family Tree containing a retrospective of Björk’s career, comprising
(*) Live at Royal Opera House is an official DVD released by Björk on 18 November 2002. It contains a live performance by Björk on the Vespertine tour, recorded live at the Royal Opera House in London, England on 7 December.
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
6
separately at a reduced price. After the tsunami which
discussing the state of the Icelandic economy, and her
struck Southeast Asia in late 2004, Björk began work on a
thoughts on the proposed use of natural resources to get
new project entitled Army of Mixes to help raise money for
the country out of debt. Björk, in collaboration with Audur
a relief fund. This project recruited fans and musicians from
Capital, set up a venture capital fund titled “BJÖRK” to
around the world to either cover or remix the 1995 track,
support the creation of sustainable industries in Iceland.
“Army of Me”. From over 600 responses Björk and her co-
She has written the foreword to the English translation
writer Graham Massey picked the best twenty to appear
of the Iceland bestseller by Andri Snaer Magnason entitled
on the album. The album was released in April in the UK
“Dreamland.” On May 21, 2010, Björk wrote an open letter
and in late May 2005 in the US. By January 2006, the
in the newspaper Reykjavík Grapevine, calling on the Ice-
album had raised around £250,000 to help UNICEF’s work
landic government to “do everything in its power to revoke
in the south east Asian region.Björk visited Banda Aceh in
the contracts with Magma Energy”, the Canadian company
February 2006 to view some of UNICEF’s work with the
who now has complete ownership of Icelandic geothermal
children who were affected by the tsunami.
company HS Orka.
On 2 July 2005 Björk took part in the historic Live 8 series
In August 2004, Björk released Medúlla. During production,
of concerts, headlining the Japan show with Do As Infinity,
Björk decided the album would work best as an entirely
Good Charlotte and McFly. She performed eight songs
vocal-based album. However, this initial plan didn’t mate-
with Matmos, a Japanese string octet and Zeena Parkins.
rialize exactly that way, as the majority of the sounds on the
Björk has also taken an interest in environmental issues in her native country. In 2004, Björk took part in the “Hætta” concert in Reykjavík, organised in protest ag ainst
album are indeed created by vocalists but several feature prominent basic electronic programming. Björk used the vocal skills of throat singer Tagaq,
the building of Alcoa aluminium smelters in the country,
hip hop beatboxer Rahzel, Japanese beatboxer Dokaka,
which would make Iceland the biggest smelter in Europe.
avant-rocker Mike Patton, Soft Machine drummer/singer
She founded the organization “Náttúra” which aims to
Robert Wyatt, and several choirs. She again appropriated
promote Icelandic nature and grassroots industries. On
text from E. E. Cummings for the song “Sonnets/Unreali-
October 28, 2008, Björk wrote an article for The Times
ties XI”. At the time, Medúlla became her highest charting
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
7
album in the US, debuting at number 14. It has since been
interviews that this was because she wished to immedia-
surpassed by Volta, which debuted at number nine was in
tely continue writing and recording yet another new album.
the US. In August 2004, Björk performed the song “Oceania”
She spoke to Rolling Stone in June 2004: “Every album I’ve done, the minute that it’s done, I feel really lubricated
at the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics
and, like, ‘Wow, now I can write an album in five minutes’...
in Athens, Greece. As she sang, her dress slowly unfurled
And I just want to find out if that’s just a fantasy or if it’s
to reveal a 10,000 square foot (900 m²) map of the world,
true.” Also, Björk thought it would be too difficult to play
which she let flow over all of the Olympic athletes. The
the songs live. In 2006, Björk remastered her first three
song “Oceania” was written especially for the occasion and
solo studio albums (Debut, Post, Homogenic) and her two
features the talents of Shlomo, a Leeds-based beatboxer,
soundtrack albums Selmasongs and Drawing Restraint in
and a London choir. An alternate version of the song began
5.1 surround sound for a re-issue in a new box-set titled
circulating on the Internet with additional vocals by Kelis.
Surrounded, released on 27 June. Vespertine and Medúlla
It originally appeared on the promotional “Oceania” single released to radio stations and later became available to the public as a B-side of the “Who Is It” single, which
were already available in 5.1 as either DVD-A or SACD but are also included in the box set in repackaged format. The DualDiscs were also released separately. During
charted at number 26 in the UK. This was followed in early
this era, Björk earned another BRIT Awards nomination
2005 by “Triumph of a Heart”, charting at number 31. A
for Best International Female Solo Artist. She was also
video for the potential next single, “Where Is the Line”, was
awarded the Inspiration Award at the Annual Q Magazine
filmed in collaboration with the Icelandic artist Gabríela
Awards in October 2005, accepting the prize from Robert
Fridriksdóttir in late 2004. This was initially a sequence from
Wyatt, with whom she collaborated on Medúlla.
an art installation movie of the artists, but was released
Björk’s former band, The Sugarcubes, reunited for a
exclusively on the Medúlla Videos DVD as an official promo
one-night-only concert in Reykjavík on 17 November 2006.
for the track.
Profits from the concert were donated to The Sugarcubes former label, Smekkleysa, who according to Björk’s press
In Other than these few performances, no concerts or tours
statement “continue to work on a non-profit basis for the
were arranged to promote Medúlla. Björk said in numerous
future betterment of Icelandic music”. Björk contributed
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
8
a cover of Joni Mitchell’s song “The Boho Dance” to the
contest conducted through her official website. “Declare
tribute album A Tribute to Joni Mitchell, released on 24
Independence” was released on 1 January 2008 in a super
April 2007. Björk’s sixth full-length studio album, Volta, was
deluxe packaging including 2 x 12” Vinyls, a CD and a DVD
released on 7 May 2007. It features 10 tracks primarily
featuring Oscar-winning French director Michel Gondry’s
written and produced by Björk herself, and intended as
“Declare Independence” video.“Wanderlust” was subse-
more direct and extroverted than her past few albums, but
quently released in a similar format, featuring Encyclopedia
featuring a wide range of collaborators and cross-cultural
Pictura’s short film directed for the track, shot in stereosco-
musical elements. Volta features input from acclaimed hip
pic 3D. The fifth single released from the album was “The
hop producer Timbaland, singer Antony Hegarty, poet
Dull Flame of Desire”, featuring vocals by Antony Hegarty.
Sjón, electronic beat programmer Mark Bell, kora master
Upon its 27 September 2008 digital release, it topped
Toumani Diabate, pipa player Min Xiaofen, and on several
the Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales chart and reached
songs, brass compositions by an all-female ensemble
number three on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales.
from Iceland. It also uses the Reactable, a novel “tangibleinterface” synthesizer from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in
Björk then completed an 18 month world tour, having
Barcelona, which on Volta is played by Damian Taylor(*).
performed at many festivals and returning to Latin Ameri-
The first single from the album, “Earth Intruders”, was
ca after nine years, playing in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo,
released digitally on 9 April 2007 and became her second-
Curitiba, Guadalajara, Bogotá, Lima, Santiago de Chile and
ever Billboard Hot 100 entry in the United States. Volta
Buenos Aires as part of different events. She also returned
debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200 albums chart,
to Australia and New Zealand for the first time in 12 years
becoming her first Top 10 album in the US, netting week-
in January 2008, touring the nations with the Big Day Out
one sales of 43,000. The album also reached number three on the French albums chart with sales of 20,600 albums sold in its first week, and number seven in the UK Albums
(*) Björk possesses a soprano vocal range. Her vocal range covers three
Chart with 20,456 units sold. The second single from the
octaves, going from E3 to C#6, but she tends to use her chest and mid
album, “Innocence”, was digitally released on 23 July 2007, with an accompanying music video chosen from a
voice more often, using her head voice particularly during vocal games in live concerts. Her singing style is largely based on improvisation and natural expression, letting her voice perform long vocal acrobatics.
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
9
Festival. She played a one-off intimate show at the Sydney
Deluxe and Deluxe Vinyl, including up to four discs, depen-
Opera House, as part of the Sydney Festival.
ding on format. Disc 1 (AUDIO) Songs From The Volta Tour
Announced via an eBay auction, a new Björk track was
Performed Live At Olympic Studios Disc 2 (DVD) The Volta
discovered under the title “Náttúra”. Björk commented the
Tour Live In Paris, Live in Reykjavik Disc 3 (DVD) The Volta
song was “composed especially to encourage active sup-
Videos and the video competition Disc 4 (CD) The Volta
port for a more environmental approach to Iceland’s natural
Mixes.
resources than those suggested by parties who are aloof and blind to the consequences of their actions.” The song was initially labeled as a new single by Björk
In May 2010, the Royal Swedish Academy of Music announced that Björk was to receive the prestigious
with backing vocals from Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke.
Polar Music Prize alongside Ennio Morricone.A month
Björk’s official website later confirmed that the single would
later, Björk, along with Dirty Projectors, announced that
be released on October 27, 2008, through iTunes, however
they would be collaborating on a joint EP entitled Mount
the track was eventually made available at nattura.grapewi-
Wittenberg Orca, which was released on 30 June, to raise
re.net, exclusively.
money for marine conservation. In September 2010, Björk
Damian Taylor has mentioned collaborating with Björk
released “The Comet Song” as part of the soundtrack for
on her new album using instruments like the Reactable and
the movie Moomins and the Comet Chase. Also in 2010,
the Tenori-on. According to an October 2008 interview with
she dueted with fellow Icelander (and One Little Indian
Pitchfork magazine, Björk plans to take the next three to
labelmate) Olof Arnalds on a track called “Surrender” from
four years to record her next album.
Arnalds’ new album, Innundir skinni and performed a duet
In a statement released by bjork.com, a limited edition
with Antony and the Johnsons on the album Swanlights.
boxset entitled Voltaïc from One Little Indian Records was
The song is titled “Flétta”. On 20 September 2010,
announced, with a release date in North America of April
Björk performed her version of “Gloomy Sunday” at desig-
20, 2009 (later delayed to mid-June). The release consists
ner Alexander McQueen’s memorial in St. Paul’s cathedral
of various live recordings of performances in Paris and
in London. On 7 December 2010, a previously unreleased
Reykjavík. The live set was also recorded at the Olympic
song was released by Björk soundtracking a film made
Studio in London. The release is available as Standard,
by Nick Knight as a tribute to McQueen, with whom Björk
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
collaborated on multiple occasions.Björk appeared on Átta
10
Björk performed at Bestival on 11 September. The
Raddir, one of Jónas Sen’s TV shows. The episode aired
press release stated that this would be her only outdoor
on February 27, 2011. The shows are produced by The
concert of the year.She is also scheduled to perform six
Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. In the show Björk
shows, among which two during the Iceland Airwaves Fes-
performed eight songs, including “Sun In My Mouth” which
tival, at Harpa in Iceland from 12 October to 7 November.
had not previously been performed live. Björk, along with long-time collaborative partner,
In June 2011, the first single off Biophilia, “Crystalline”, was released. The song was composed using complex
Michel Gondry, were originally announced to collaborate
breakbeats along with only one of several specialized
on a 3-D “scientific musical”. Gondry states that it will be
instruments custom built for the project, the “gameleste”, a
a 40-minute IMAX museum project.On 3 December 2010,
celesta modified with elements of gamelan.
in an interview with Pitchfork, Björk was asked if she was “working on anything at the moment”, and replied “Yes,
Other instruments used on the album and in Bjork’s live
it will be ready in few months.”On 17 February 2011,
performances harness lightning to create sound. A central
Pitchfork reported that Björk would release a collaboration
part of Biophilia is a series of interactive iPad apps made
with Syrian musician Omar Souleyman. The project will
by leading programmers and designers, one app for each
be available “on limited 12-inch, CD, and digital download
of the 10 songs on the new album. Bjork discussed how
sometime this year”.
the apps would represent the scientific and natural ideas
On 17 March 2011, Björk confirmed details about
within the songs and enable people to play and understand
her next project, Biophilia. The new project will combine
the songs and ideas in different ways, such as “Virus”, a
music with technological innovation and themes of science
love song between a virus and a cell, in which the “Virus”
and nature, including an “app album”, educational colla-
app will stop playing the song if you are successful in stop-
borations with children and specialized live performance,
ping the destructive relationship. Two of the apps, “Crys-
kicking off in Manchester, United Kingdom at the Manches-
talline” and “Cosmogony”, were released on 19 July 2011,
ter International Festival on 30 June. She will perform at the
along with a music video for “Crystalline”, directed by
event for six nights. It is expected that Biophilia will see her
Michel Gondry. However, the album was released in usual
tour a select number of cities with extended residencies
form as a series of 10 music tracks as well, including a CD
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
release, on 10 October 2011, and Bjork said it is designed to work as music just as any of her other albums are. Björk, along with long-time collaborative partner, Michel Gondry, were originally announced to collaborate on a 3-D “scientific musical”. Gondry states that it will be a 40-minute IMAX museum project.On 3 December 2010, in an interview with Pitchfork, Björk was asked if she was “working on anything at the moment”, and replied “Yes, it will be ready in few months.”On 17 February 2011, Pitchfork reported that Björk would release a collaboration with Syrian musician Omar Souleyman. The project will be available “on limited 12-inch, CD, and digital download sometime this year”. In a June 2011 interview with Stereogum, Björk stated that her contract with her international record labels (excluding One Little Indian, UK) had ended since all promotions for Volta concluded and that she has signed with both National Geographic and Nonesuch for Biophilia.
11
3.
Another
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
15
Björk’s intermittent acting career began in 1986, when she
celebrated “swan dress”, which was recently auctioned off
appeared in The Juniper Tree, a tale of witchcraft based on
for charity on eBay. She was invited to record “Gollum’s
the Brothers Grimm story of the same name. Björk played
Song” for the film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
the role of Margit, a girl whose mother has been killed for
but declined the invitation, as she was then pregnant; the
practicing witchcraft. Björk also had an uncredited role in
song was instead recorded by another Icelander, Emilíana
1994’s Prêt-à-Porter.
Torrini. Björk starred in Gunar Karlsson’s 2007 animated
In 1999, Björk was asked to write and produce the mu-
film Anna and the Moods, along with Terry Jones and Da-
sical score for the film Dancer in the Dark, a musical drama
mon Albarn. Björk also appeared in the 2005 documentary
about an immigrant named Selma who is struggling to pay
Screaming Masterpiece, which delves into the Icelandic
for an operation to prevent her son from going blind. Direc-
music scene. The movie features archive footage of The
tor Lars von Trier eventually asked her to consider playing
Sugarcubes and Tappi Tíkarrass, and an ongoing conver-
the role of Selma, convincing her that the only true way to
sation with Björk herself.
capture the character of Selma was to have the composer
Her partner Matthew Barney is a contemporary artist
of the music play the character. Eventually, she accepted.
based in New York. Björk collaborated with him on the
Filming began in early 1999, and the film debuted in 2000 at
experimental art film Drawing Restraint 9, a dialogueless
the 53rd Cannes Film Festival. The film received the Palme
exploration of Japanese culture. Björk and Barney both
d’Or, and Björk received the Best Actress Award for her
appear in the film, which was released in 2005. She is
role. It was reported that the shoot was so physically and
also responsible for the film’s soundtrack, her second after
emotionally tiring that she vowed never to act again. Björk
Selmasongs. Director and previous collaborator Michel
later stated that she always wanted to do one musical in her
Gondry asked Björk to star in his film The Science of Sleep,
life, and this was the one.
but she declined. She collaborated with SHOWstudio and
The soundtrack Björk created for the film was released
founder Nick Knight in 2010 by providing music for an
with the title Selmasongs. The album features a duet with
Alexander McQueen tribute. Bjork does a remix of “Army
Thom Yorke of Radiohead titled “I’ve Seen It All”, which was
of Me,” by Grisbi, in the Warner Brother’s film, “Sucker
nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song and was
Punch”. Released in America in 2011. Björk’s single “De-
performed at the 2001 Oscars, while Björk was wearing her
clare Independence”(**) was used in the trailer for the first
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
16
edition of the London Feminist Film Festival. Charitable
October 28, 2008, Björk wrote an article for The Times
work: After the tsunami which struck Southeast Asia in late
discussing the state of the Icelandic economy, and her
2004, Björk began work on a new project entitled Army of
thoughts on the proposed use of natural resources to get
Mixes to help raise money for a relief fund. This project re-
the country out of debt. Björk, in collaboration with Audur
cruited fans and musicians from around the world to either
Capital, set up a venture capital fund titled “BJÖRK” to
cover or remix the 1995 track, “Army of Me”.
support the creation of sustainable industries in Iceland.
From over 600 responses Björk and her co-writer
She has written the foreword to the English translation of
Graham Massey picked the best twenty to appear on the
the Iceland bestseller by Andri Snaer Magnason entitled
album. The album was released in April in the UK and in
“Dreamland.” On May 21, 2010, Björk wrote an open letter
late May 2005 in the US. By January 2006, the album
in the newspaper Reykjavík Grapevine, calling on the Ice-
had raised around £250,000 to help UNICEF’s work in the south east Asian region.Björk visited Banda Aceh in February 2006 to view some of UNICEF’s work with the children who were affected by the tsunami. On 2 July 2005 Björk took part in the historic Live 8 series of concerts, headlining the Japan show with Do As Infinity, Good Charlotte and McFly. She performed eight songs with Matmos, a Japanese string octet and Zeena Parkins and she was. Björk has also taken an interest in environmental issues in her native country. In 2004, Björk took part in the “Hætta” concert in Reykjavík, organised in protest against the building of Alcoa aluminium smelters in the country,
(*) Bjork had a lot to sing about last weekend as she held a three day karaoke marathon in protest over a takeover of an Icelandic energy company by Canadian firm Magma Energy. The singer’s The Voice of the Nation group held the competition in Reykjavik and garnered 46,000 signatures in a petition, more than the 35,000 needed for the country’s government to reconsider allowing the takeover. (**) The contest, “Declare Independence”, was held during the Icelandic holiday of Threttandinn – which according to folklore is where elves and magical creatures come out to party alongside humans. It’s been rumored that numerous elves were seen dancing while Bjork performed her version of Joy Division’s ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’. One of the heads of the campaign, writer Oddny Eir Aevarsdottir, said of the success of the karaoke contest: “It’s nice to wake up and see
which would make Iceland the biggest smelter in Europe
that more than 46,000 have signed the petition. Now karaoke events are
(*). She founded the organization “Náttúra” which aims to
popping up around the country, so we are going to let it roll until they are
promote Icelandic nature and grassroots industries. On
finished and then hand the petition over.” Published in Look at the Stars in January 11, 2011.
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
17
landic government to “do everything in its power to revoke
Indian Records umbrella. Her only signee that received
the contracts with Magma Energy”, the Canadian company
a release was her long-time friend, Magga Stína. Magga
who now has complete ownership of Icelandic geothermal
Stína recorded her debut solo album under the production
company HS Orka.
of Björk’s longtime collaborator, Graham Massey (of the British electronica act 808 State.) The album was simply
Protégés: Over her extensive career, Björk has frequently
titled An Album and featured just one single release, ‘”Na-
used her position and influence to help launch new acts,
turally”’. In 1998, Björk invited Magga Stína to perform as
or mentor them as they establish themselves as recording
her support act on the Homogenic world tour, and in 2004
artists visuals.
Stína contributed to the production of Medúlla. Stína is
The first example of this was most evident with Iranian born electronica producer, Leila Arab. Leila was initially
presently still performing and recording in Iceland. In 2001, Björk heard of a Canadian Inuit throat singer
recruited to play keyboards and provide backing vocals on
named Tagaq and invited her to perform on several dates
Björk’s first international solo tour in 1993 in support of De-
of Björk’s Vespertine world tour as a special guest. In 2004,
but. In 1995, Björk recalled Leila’s to be part of her second
Tagaq was invited to collaborate on the a cappella album,
touring band for her next tour in support of Post. This time
Medúlla, in which the duet “Ancestors” was recorded.
Leila was given the opportunity to experiment with the live
“Ancestors” was later featured on Tagaq’s first solo album,
output mixing from the stage, rather than playing keyboards.
Sinaa, in 2005.In 2004, Leila discovered the work of Fin-
This was to be Leila’s first encounter with live mixing,
nish multimedia artist Heidi Kilpeläinen, who had taken her
and would later form the basis of her own solo music career
combination of Lo-fi, homemade electro pop with her own
where she has integrated live mixing into her own compo-
self-produced music videos, and combined them under the
sitions and live shows. Leila has gone on to release three
alter ego character, HK119. Leila soon referred HK119’s
international solo albums throughout the 1990s to present,
work to Björk, who quickly and excitedly started mentio-
on the influential electronica labels, Rephlex Records, XL
ning HK119 in various press and interviews. In 2004, Björk
Recordings and Warp Records.
announced HK119 as her favourite act of 2004, and cited
In 1998, Björk established her own short-lived record label, Ear Records, which operated under the One Little
her as “The Perfect Blonde Woman”.HK119 was soon signed to Björk’s parent label One Little Indian Records,
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
18
who released her debut album in 2006. HK119 and Björk
Hauksdóttir, has also been politically active. Björk and her
appeared in a joint interview in Dazed & Confused maga-
partner, artist Matthew Barney, have a daughter, Ísadóra
zine in 2006, where Björk stated about HK119’s work “It’s
Bjarkardóttir Barney, born 3 October 2002. Björk also has
unique. Even if I gave you $3 million, you couldn’t improve
a son, Sindri Eldon Thórsson, born 8 June 1986, with Thór
on it... Their simplicity is their strength.” HK119 later relea-
Eldon, who was her band mate in The Sugarcubes. Sindri
sed her second album, Fast, Cheap And Out Of Control
is a journalist and has his own solo project simply called
in 2008 on One Little Indian Records, and is currently
“Sindri Eldon”.
recording her third album. In 2009, Björk used her website and various radio in-
Paparazzi and controversy: Björk has complained of being
terviews throughout the year to express her enthusiasm for
hounded by paparazzi. In 1996, Björk arrived at Bangkok
two more new acts. The first was fellow Icelandic musician,
International Airport with her son Sindri after a long haul
Ólöf Arnalds, who is also a member of Icelandic folktroni-
flight when Julie Kaufman, a female reporter, greeted Björk
ca band múm. In 2006, Arnalds released her debut solo
with “Welcome to Bangkok”, which was then followed by
album Við Og Við in Iceland, which Björk citied as one of
Björk attacking her and knocking her to the ground.
her favourite recent new acts of the last few years during a
Björk has said that the reason for the attack was that
radio interview, and encouraged One Little Indian Records
the reporters in the airport started talking to her son, saying
to reissue the album in the UK and Europe in 2009. On
such things as “It must be hard to be the son of a pop
the same radio show for the American NPR channel, Björk
star.” Björk’s record company also said that the reporter
also praised the works of emerging British artist Micachu
had been pestering Björk for four days. Björk later apolo-
and the more obscure, Omar Souleyman. Björk later used
gized to Kaufman, who declined to involve the police. On
her official website to host the premier of Micachu’s debut
13 January 2008, Björk attacked a photographer who had
video on the Rough Trade Records, ‘Turn Me Well’.
photographed her arrival at Auckland International Airport in New Zealand for her scheduled performance at the Big
Björk’s father, Guðmundur Gunnarsson, is a well-known
Day Out festival. Björk allegedly tore the photographer’s
union leader in Iceland and was nationally recognized befo-
shirt down the back, and in the process she fell to the
re his daughter became famous. Her mother, Hildur Rúna
ground. Neither the photographer nor his employer, The
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
19
the Canadian company who now has complete ownership
recorded her debut solo album under the production of
of Icelandic geothermal company HS Orka.
Björk’s longtime collaborator, Graham Massey (of the British electronica act 808 State.) The album was simply titled
Protégés: Over her extensive career, Björk has frequently
An Album and featured just one single release, ‘”Naturally”’.
used her position and influence to help launch new acts,
In 1998, Björk invited Magga Stína to perform as her sup-
or mentor them as they establish themselves as recording
port act on the Homogenic world tour, and in 2004 Stína
artists.
contributed to the production of Medúlla. Stína is presently
The first example of this was most evident with Iranian born electronica producer, Leila Arab. Leila was initially
still performing and recording in Iceland. In 2001, Björk heard of a Canadian Inuit throat singer
recruited to play keyboards and provide backing vocals on
named Tagaq and invited her to perform on several dates
Björk’s first international solo tour in 1993 in support of De-
of Björk’s Vespertine world tour as a special guest. In 2004,
but. In 1995, Björk recalled Leila’s to be part of her second
Tagaq was invited to collaborate on the a cappella album,
touring band for her next tour in support of Post. This time
Medúlla, in which the duet “Ancestors” was recorded.
Leila was given the opportunity to experiment with the live
“Ancestors” was later featured on Tagaq’s first solo album,
output mixing from the stage, rather than playing keyboards.
Sinaa, in 2005.
This was to be Leila’s first encounter with live mixing, and
In 2004, Leila discovered the work of Finnish multime-
would later form the basis of her own solo music career
dia artist Heidi Kilpeläinen, who had taken her combination
where she has integrated live mixing into her own compo-
of Lo-fi, homemade electro pop with her own self-produ-
sitions and live shows. Leila has gone on to release three international solo albums throughout the 1990s to present, on the influential electronica labels, Rephlex Records, XL Recordings and Warp Records. In 1998, Björk established her own short-lived record label, Ear Records, which operated under the One Little Indian Records umbrella. Her only signee that received a release was her long-time friend, Magga Stína. Magga Stína
Another fan said Bjork had “behaved like an angry young person, acting in an underhand manner, not like Brad Pitt and Richard Gere, who are better known Free Tibet supporters”. According to one audience member, there was no booing after the outburst, but people left the concert venue hurriedly. Human rights activists and many politicians abroad have criticised Chinese policy in Tibet. Many Tibetans feel loyal to the exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, whom China considers a separatist threat.
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
20
ced music videos, and combined them under the alter ego
Omar Souleyman. Björk later used her official website to
character, HK119. Leila soon referred HK119’s work to
host the premier of Micachu’s debut video on the Rough
Björk, who quickly and excitedly started mentioning HK119
Trade Records, ‘Turn Me Well’.
in various press and interviews. In 2004, Björk announced HK119 as her favourite act of 2004, and cited her as
Björk’s father, Guðmundur Gunnarsson, is a well-known
“The Perfect Blonde Woman”.HK119 was soon signed to
union leader in Iceland and was nationally recognized befo-
Björk’s parent label One Little Indian Records, who relea-
re his daughter became famous. Her mother, Hildur Rúna
sed her debut album in 2006. HK119 and Björk appea-
Hauksdóttir, has also been politically active. Björk and her
red in a joint interview in Dazed & Confused magazine in
partner, artist Matthew Barney, have a daughter, Ísadóra
2006, where Björk stated about HK119’s work “It’s unique.
Bjarkardóttir Barney, born 3 October 2002. Björk also has
Even if I gave you $3 million, you couldn’t improve on it...
a son, Sindri Eldon Thórsson, born 8 June 1986, with Thór
Their simplicity is their strength.” HK119 later released her
Eldon, who was her band mate in The Sugarcubes. Sindri
second album, Fast, Cheap And Out Of Control in 2008 on
is a journalist and has his own solo project simply called
One Little Indian Records, and is currently.
“Sindri Eldon”.
Recording her third album.In 2009, Björk used her website and various radio interviews throughout the year
Paparazzi and controversy: Björk has complained of
to express her enthusiasm for two more new acts. The
being hounded by paparazzi. In 1996, Björk arrived at
first was fellow Icelandic musician, Ólöf Arnalds, who
Bangkok International Airport with her son Sindri after a
is also a member of Icelandic folktronica band múm. In
long haul flight when Julie Kaufman, a female reporter,
2006, Arnalds released her debut solo album Við Og Við
greeted Björk with “Welcome to Bangkok”, which was then
in Iceland, which Björk citied as one of her favourite recent
followed by Björk attacking her and knocking her to the
new acts of the last few years during a radio interview, and
ground. Björk has said that the reason for the attack was
encouraged One Little Indian Records to reissue the album
that the reporters in the airport started talking to her son,
in the UK and Europe in 2009. On the same radio show for
saying such things as “It must be hard to be the son of a
the American NPR channel, Björk also praised the works
pop star.” Björk’s record company also said that the repor-
of emerging British artist Micachu and the more obscure,
ter had been pestering Björk for four days. Björk later apo-
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
21
logized to Kaufman, who declined to involve the police. On
denunciation through state news agency Xinhua stating
13 January 2008, Björk attacked a photographer who had
that Björk “broke Chinese law” and “hurt Chinese people’s
photographed her arrival at Auckland International Airport
feelings”, and pledged to further tighten control over foreign
in New Zealand for her scheduled performance at the Big
artists performing in China. A later statement accused
Day Out festival. Björk allegedly tore the photographer’s shirt
Björk of “whipping up ethnic hatred”. Sexuality: In an inter-
down the back, and in the process she fell to the ground.
view with Diva magazine in October 2004, she said:
Neither the photographer nor his employer, The New Zealand Herald, lodged a formal complaint, and Auckland police
“I think everyone’s bisexual to some degree or another; it’s
did not investigate further.
just a question of whether or not you choose to recognize it and embrace it. Personally, I think choosing between men
Political views: Björk’s years in KUKL aligned her with the
and women is like choosing between cake and ice cream.
anarchist Crass Collective. While she has since been hesi-
You’d be daft not to try both when there are so many
tant to be seen as an overtly political figure, and has said
different flavors”.
so on her website, she is strongly supportive of numerous liberation movements across the globe, including support for
Björk has accumulated a large homosexual fanbase over
independence for Kosovo. She dedicated her song “Declare
the years; in an interview with Instinct magazine in 2004,
Independence” to Greenland and the Faroe Islands, which
she acknowledged it, saying:
caused a minor controversy in the Faroes. When Björk twice dedicated “Declare Independence” to the people of Kosovo during a concert in Japan, a planned performance of hers
I like to think of people who buy my records as equals. Don’t think of them as gay or black or young or old. They’re just people who enjoy my music. I’ve had so
was cancelled at Serbia’s Exit Festival, reportedly due to
many close gay friends all my life, it’s not that big of a deal
safety concerns.
with me. But I’d be lying if I said there weren’t things I find
In 2008, Björk set off an international controversy after
easier to talk about with gay guys.
she dedicated “Declare Independence” to the Tibet freedom movement during a Shanghai concert, chanting “Tibet!
Stalker: On 12 September 1996, obsessed fan Ricardo Ló-
Tibet!” during the song. China’s Culture Ministry issued a
pez mailed an acid-spraying letter bomb to Björk’s London
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
home and then killed himself, but the package was intercepted by the Metropolitan Police Service. López filmed himself in the process of making the acid bomb which was intended to severely scar the singer’s face and torso. The nearly 18 hours of videotape described López’s obsession with Björk, the construction of the device, his thoughts on love and other subjects, including racial remarks against Björk’s then-boyfriend Goldie. The video footage continues after his mailing the bomb to Björk’s London home and ends as López shaves his head, applies face paint and commits suicide by shooting himself on camera. In her few public comments on this event, Bjork later said it was hard emotionally, and it disrupted her life and work in London, explaining in part why she chose to leave the UK scene for good, reject her cute image, and began to write more personally with Homogenic (1997).
22
3.
Discography
Debut album, 1993 Release date: 5 July. Label: One Little Indian, Polydor (Europe), Elektra (NA) Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download.
Debut, Björk. Album cover for Bjork, Debut 1993,by Jean-Baptiste Mondino.
Singles from debut:
“Play dead”, October 1993
“Human behaviour”, June 1993
“Big time sensuality”, November 1993
“Venus as a Boy”, August 1993
“Violently Happy”, December 1993
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
60
Debut is the second studio album by Icelandic singer-songwriter Björk. The album was released in July 1993 on One Little Indian Records in the United Kingdom and Elektra Records in the United States. Björk worked on the album with producer Nellee Hooper who co-wrote five of Debut’s songs with her. The album mostly consists of love songs relating to subjects such as her boyfriend Dominic Thrupp, her producer Nellee Hooper and to love of life itself. Musically, the songs on this album took a different direction from her previous albums with her former band The Sugarcubes, with the backing music ranging from house, jazz and trip hop styles.
Most of the songs from Debut were written years prior to the production of the album. As well as working with Graham Massey, Björk wanted to work with jazz musicians and contacted Oliver Lake and Corky Hale to record jazz arrangements to some of the songs. After meeting producer Nellee Hooper, the two completed production on the album in 1993. On Debut’s initial release, the album sold far greater than her label predicted, charting at number three in the United Kingdom and sixty-one in the United States. The album was certified gold in Canada and platinum in the United States. Debut received widespread critical acclaim from British critics who praised Björk’s vocals and the choice of a wide range of musical styles on the album. In
Post album Release date: 13 June 1995. Label: One Little Indian, Polydor (Europe), Elektra (NA) Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download
Post, Björk Album cover for Bjork, Post 1995, by Jean-Baptiste Mondino.
Singles from Post:
“It’s Oh so quiet”, November 1995
“Army of me”, April 1995
“I Miss You”, February 1995
“Isobel”, August 1995
“Hiperballad”, February 1995
Biophilia, the biography of Björk.
65
Post is the third studio album by Icelandic singer-songwriter and musician Björk, released in June 1995. Met with critical and commercial success, Post built on the electronic-pop of previous release Debut and flirted with various other musical styles including big band and trip hop, and featured numerous producers. Post went on to be certified Platinum in various regions including the UK, USA, Canada, Europe and Australia, and produced three UK Top 10 singles.
Title: Björk named the album Post for two reasons. First, she saw Debut and Post as a series; the songs on Debut were written before her move to England, while the songs on Post were written after moving to England and dealt with her experiences there.Second, she saw the album as posting her feelings (“for me, all the songs on the album are like saying, ‘listen, this is how I’m going’”). The white shirt with blue and red markings that Björk wears on the cover is an allusion to an air mail envelope, thus giving Post an additional meaning of “mail”.
Musical style: While building on Debut’s dance-pop blueprint, Post was very musically eclectic, with Björk herself calling it “musically promiscuous”.According to Björk, her “musical heart was scattered at the time and I wanted to show that (on Post)”.The album touches on various musi-
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