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Sigur Rós: The Sound of Iceland
If you are looking for a musical experience that transcends the ordinary, you might want to check out Sigur Rós. This Icelandic band has been making waves in the alternative rock scene since the late 1990s, with their unique blend of ambient, post-rock, and classical influences.
Why I Love Sigur Rós
I have been a fan of Sigur Rós since I first heard their song “Hoppípolla” (“Jumping into Puddles”) in a commercial. I was instantly captivated by their beautiful and mysterious sound. I decided to explore more of their music and I was not disappointed.
Every album they have made is a masterpiece of artistry and emotion. Their music transports me to another world where I can feel inspired and relaxed. Their music also makes me appreciate the beauty and diversity of Iceland.
I have never been there but I hope to visit someday and see the places that inspired them. Sigur Rós is more than just a band to me; they are a source of joy and wonder.
How Sigur Rós Started
Sigur Rós was formed in 1994 by four friends from Reykjavík: Jónsi Birgisson (vocals, guitar), Georg Hólm (bass), Kjartan Sveinsson (keyboards), and Ágúst Ævar Gunnarsson (drums). The name of the band means “Victory Rose” in Icelandic, and it was inspired by Jónsi’s sister Sigurrós, who was born on the same day as the band’s first rehearsal.
The band’s first album, Von (meaning “Hope”), was released in 1997, but it did not receive much attention. However, their second album, Ágætis byrjun (meaning “A Good Start”), released in 1999, was a breakthrough success, both in Iceland and internationally.
The album featured the band’s signature sound of ethereal vocals, bowed guitar, and atmospheric arrangements. It also included some of their most popular songs, such as “Svefn-g-englar” (“Sleeping Angels”), “Starálfur” (“Staring Elf”), and “Ný batterí” (“New Batteries”).
What Makes Sigur Rós Special
One of the most distinctive aspects of Sigur Rós is Jónsi’s voice.
He sings mostly in Icelandic, but sometimes he uses a made-up language called Vonlenska (meaning “Hopelandic”), which consists of nonsensical syllables. He also sings in a high-pitched falsetto that adds a haunting quality to his lyrics.
Another characteristic of Sigur Rós is their use of bowed guitar. Jónsi plays his guitar with a cello bow, creating a rich and resonant sound that resembles a string orchestra.
The band also experiments with different instruments and effects, such as glockenspiel, xylophone, organ, piano, brass, strings, and distortion. The result is a musical style that is both minimalist and majestic, evoking the landscapes and emotions of Iceland.
Some Interesting Facts About Sigur Rós
– Sigur Rós has composed music for films and TV shows, such as Vanilla Sky, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, 127 Hours, Game of Thrones, and Black Mirror.
– Sigur Rós has collaborated with other artists, such as Radiohead, Björk, Coldplay, and The National.
– Sigur Rós has won several awards, such as the Shortlist Music Prize (2001), the Q Award for Best Live Act (2008), and the NME Award for Best Live Band (2013).
– Sigur Rós has been involved in various social and environmental causes, such as supporting gay rights, opposing whaling, and raising awareness about climate change.
What Sigur Rós Is Doing Now
Sigur Rós is still active and creative as ever. In 2012, they released their sixth studio album, Valtari (meaning “Steamroller”), which was more ambient and experimental than their previous works.
In 2013, they released their seventh studio album, Kveikur (meaning “Candlewick”), which was more aggressive and energetic than their previous works. In 2017, they released an orchestral album called Odin’s Raven Magic (based on an Icelandic poem), which they had recorded in 2002 with the London Sinfonietta.
In 2019, they released a live album called 22° Lunar Halo (recorded during their performance at the Reykjavík Festival). In 2020, they released another live album called Variations on Darkness (recorded during their performance at the Norður og Niður Festival). They are currently working on their eighth studio album.
Productions and Collaborations
Over the years, Sigur Rós has worked with various artists and producers, both in Iceland and abroad. Some of their notable collaborators include Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, a composer who worked with them on the soundtrack for the film Angels of the Universe; Alex Somers, an American musician who is also Jónsi’s partner and co-producer of some of his solo projects; and Valgeir Sigurðsson, a producer and engineer who has worked with Björk, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, and Feist, among others.
Sigur Rós has also contributed to the soundtracks of several films and TV shows, such as Vanilla Sky, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, 127 Hours, Game of Thrones, and Black Mirror.
Sigur Rós has released seven studio albums so far, each with its own distinctive style and mood.
– Von (1997): This is their debut album, and it’s quite different from their later works. It’s more experimental and ambient, with some influences from post-rock and shoegaze. The title means “Hope” in Icelandic, and the album has a dark and mysterious atmosphere. Some of the songs are sung in Vonlenska, a made-up language that the band uses sometimes.
– Ágætis byrjun (1999): This is the album that made them famous, and it’s a masterpiece of post-rock. The title means “A Good Beginning” in Icelandic, and the album is full of beautiful melodies, soaring vocals, and lush orchestration. The songs are mostly sung in Icelandic, but some use Vonlenska as well. The album received critical acclaim and won several awards.
– ( ) (2002): This is their third album, and it’s also known as “The Bracket Album” or “The Untitled Album”. It has no official title or track names, and the artwork is minimalistic. The album is divided into two halves: the first half is more upbeat and optimistic, while the second half is more melancholic and somber. The songs are all sung in Vonlenska, and the album has a cinematic and emotional feel.
– Takk… (2005): This is their fourth album, and it’s a return to their more melodic and accessible style. The title means “Thanks” in Icelandic, and the album is dedicated to their families and friends. The songs are mostly sung in Icelandic, but some use Vonlenska or English as well. The album features more acoustic instruments and pop elements, and it’s very catchy and uplifting.
– Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (2008): This is their fifth album, and it’s their most diverse and adventurous one. The title means “With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly” in Icelandic, and the album was recorded in various locations around the world. The songs are mostly sung in Icelandic, but some use English or Hopelandic (a variation of Vonlenska) as well. The album explores different genres and influences, such as folk, rock, electronic, and classical music.
– Valtari (2012): This is their sixth album, and it’s their most ambient and minimalist one. The title means “Steamroller” in Icelandic, and the album has a dreamy and ethereal sound. The songs are mostly instrumental or feature vocals as another instrument. The album was accompanied by a series of short films made by different directors, inspired by the music.
– Kveikur (2013): This is their seventh album, and it’s their most aggressive and energetic one. The title means “Candlewick” or “Fuse” in Icelandic, and the album has a darker and heavier sound. The songs are mostly sung in Icelandic or Hopelandic, and the album features more distortion, percussion, and electronic elements. The album was released after the departure of their longtime drummer Orri Páll Dýrason.
– Odin’s Raven Magic (2020): This is their eighth album, and it’s a live recording of a collaborative orchestral piece that they composed in 2002. The piece is based on an old Icelandic poem called Hrafnagaldr Óðins (“Odin’s Raven Magic”), which tells a mythological story about the Norse god Odin and his ravens. The piece features vocals by Steindór Andersen, a traditional Icelandic chanter; María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir, a violinist from Amiina; Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, an Icelandic composer; and Sigur Rós themselves.
Equipment Sigur Rós is known for using
Jónsi
One of the most distinctive features of Sigur Rós is the voice and guitar of Jónsi, the lead singer and guitarist. He sings in a high-pitched falsetto voice, . He also plays his guitar with a cello bow, creating a haunting and shimmering sound that is unlike anything else. He uses various effects pedals to manipulate his guitar tone, such as reverb, delay, distortion, boost, and tremolo.
Some of the pedals he uses are Keeley Katana Boost,
Strymon blueSky Reverberator, Eventide Space Reverb, and a TC Electronic M350 Effects & Reverb Processor. He also uses a custom-made electric guitar by his former tech Dan Johnson, which has a single Seymour Duncan ’59 pickup and a built-in treble boost circuit. He also plays other guitars such as an Ibanez PF200 and a Yamaha VSS-30 PortaSound Sampling Keyboard.
Georg Hólm
Another important member of Sigur Rós is Georg Hólm, the bassist. He plays mostly with his fingers, but sometimes with a pick or a cello bow. He uses flatwound strings on his basses to get a smooth and warm sound. He also uses effects pedals such as distortion, chorus, flanger, and octave. Some of the pedals he uses are Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive, Electro-Harmonix POG2 Polyphonic Octave Generator, MXR M83 Bass Chorus Deluxe, and Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress Flanger/Filter Matrix. He plays mostly Fender Jazz basses, such as a ’90s Japanese model and a ’60s Epiphone semi-hollow bass.
Kjartan Sveinsson
The third member of Sigur Rós is Kjartan Sveinsson, the keyboardist. He plays various keyboards and synthesizers to add texture and melody to the band’s songs. He also plays other instruments such as piano, organ, glockenspiel, harmonium, accordion, and trumpet. Some of the keyboards and synthesizers he uses are Roland Juno-60, Korg MS-20, Moog Minimoog Voyager, Nord Electro 3, and Yamaha CP70 Electric Grand Piano.
Where to find Some music:
Sigur Rós FAQ
Q: What does Sigur Rós mean?
A: Sigur Rós is the name of the band’s lead singer, Jónsi Birgisson’s sister. Her name means “Victory Rose” in Icelandic. The band liked the sound of it and decided to use it as their name.
Q: How do you pronounce Sigur Rós?
A: The correct pronunciation of Sigur Rós is “see-yur rose”. The “g” is silent and the “u” is pronounced like the “i” in “sit”. The accent on the “o” makes it sound like a long “o”.
Q: What language do they sing in?
A: Sigur Rós sings mostly in Icelandic, their native language. However, they also use a made-up language called Vonlenska or Hopelandic, which consists of gibberish words and sounds. They use Vonlenska to convey emotions and moods rather than meanings.
Q: What are some of their most popular songs?
A: Some of Sigur Rós’ most popular songs include “Hoppípolla”, which means “Jumping into puddles”, “Svefn-g-englar”, which means “Sleeping angels”, and “Glósóli”, which means “Glowing sole”. These songs showcase the band’s signature sound of soaring vocals, bowed guitar, piano and strings.
Q: How many albums have they released?
A: Sigur Rós has released nine studio albums so far. Their debut album was Von, which means “Hope”, in 1997. Their latest album was Odin’s Raven Magic, a collaboration with the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and Schola Cantorum Choir, in 2020.
Q: Are they still active as a band?
A: Yes, Sigur Rós is still active as a band. They are currently working on their tenth studio album, which is expected to be released in 2022. They have also announced a world tour for 2022-2023, which will feature new songs and old classics.
Q: Where can I find more information about Sigur Rós?
A: You can find more information about Sigur Rós on their official website, sigur-ros.co.uk, where you can also buy their albums and merchandise. You can also follow them on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And of course, you can listen to their music on streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
