Sigur R s

Sigur Rós (which translates as "victory rose") is an Icelandic post-rock band. Jón Þór Birgisson (Jónsi - guitarist/vocalist), Georg Holm (Goggi - bass guitar) and Agust (drums) formed the group in Reykjavík on 4th January 1994, and named themselves after Jónsi's week-old sister Sigurrós. They soon won a record deal with Bad Taste, a local label, and released Von ("Hope") in 1997, followed very quickly by a remix collection, Von Brigði.

International acclaim would come with Ágætis Byrjun (1999; "A decent start" or "Alright start"), for which the band were joined by Kjartan Sveinsson (Kjarri - keyboard). Placing Jónsi's unearthly falsetto vocals over a dreamy soundscape, its reputation slowly spread by word of mouth over the next two years. Soon many critics worldwide were hailing it as one of the best albums of its time, and the band was playing with Radiohead and other big names. Two songs, Ágætis Byrjun's breathtaking first single Svefn-G-Englar and a live take of the then-unreleased Njosnavelin (to become Untitled #4), even appeared in the Tom Cruise film Vanilla Sky.

Drummer Agust had left the band after the recording of Ágætis Byrjun, and was replaced by Orri Páll Dýrason. In 2002, mixed reviews greeted their highly-anticipated follow-up, ( ). Doing away with song titles, and indeed lyrics (Jónsi sings entirely in nonsensical sounds), this highly emotional and musically purer collection of eight lengthy tracks alienated some listeners and enraptured others.

In October 2003, Sigur Rós joined Radiohead in composing music for Merce Cunningham's dance piece Split Sides; Sigur Rós' three tracks were named Ba Ba Ti Ki Di Do and released in March 2004. The debut album Von also finally found a US and UK release in October 2004. Meanwhile, a new album, rumoured to fall somewhere between the styles of their two major releases, is currently being recorded and is slated for a Spring 2005 release.

Discography

Albums

• Von (1997)
• Von Brigði (1998)
• Ágætis Byrjun (1999)
• ( ) (2002)

Singles and EPs

• Svefn-G-Englar (1999)
• Ný Batterí (2000)
• Steindór Andersen / Rímur EP (2001)
• Untitled #1 (A.K.A. Vaka) (2003)
• Ba Ba Ti Ki Di Do (2004)

Other works

• Smekkleysa Í Hálfa Öld (1994)
• Popp Í Reykjavík (album) (1998)
• Popp Í Reykjavík (film) (1998)
• Englar Alheimsins (album) (2000)
• Englar Alheimsins (film) (2002)
• Hlemmur Soundtrack (2002)

External links

• Eighteen Seconds Before Sunrise (http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk) - Official site, including many music and video resources.

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