Want to know more about Bjork and her links to Iceland? The following article gives a great synopsis of this popular diva who was born in Reykjavik
Born in 1965, it will come as no surprise that Bjork, singer, songwriter and occasional actress, is a native of Iceland. Like the major features of Iceland Bjork exploded into the world of popular music like one of its most active volcanoes. It is true to say also that, like other wonderful landmarks of Iceland, Bjork has an interesting and eclectic range of style from pop, alternative rock, folk and, not surprisingly, electronica. With the abundance of geothermal power which is harnessed from beneath the steamy surface of Iceland, one cannot help thinking that Bjork has her own inner geothermal power.
It is not surprising that Iceland has produced a Diva like Bjork, not to mention many other amazing musicians, when, what else can the people of Iceland do during the long, dark days of winter but to sing and dance until summer. Then when summer arrives, the people of Iceland celebrate 24 hours of daylight with the songs they’ve been practising in the previous months.
Originating from Reykjavic, the Capital of Iceland, Bjork began her music career at only 11 years old when she was studying classical piano and her tutor sent a recording of her singing I Love to Love, the Tina Charles song, to RUV the only radio station in Iceland at that time.
When she was only 14 Bjork, this gem of Iceland, formed an all girl punk band entitled Spit and Snot and thus began her long and ever changing career in the music business which has earned her 12 Grammy awards bringing pride to Iceland.
After several changes Bjork collaborated with other musicians from Iceland to form the band Kukl, a gothic rock group. Bjork toured Iceland with Kukl and the anarchist UK punk band Crass. Further collaborations led to the band changing its name to the Sugercubes who were then signed up by the record label One little Indian. This took Iceland’s Bjork into the mainstream of music with the Sugarbubes first single ‘Ammaeli’ or ‘Birthday’ in English which became an immediate hit in the Uk.
Whilst the Sugarcubes were propelled into international stardom, a first for a rock band from Iceland, Bjork recorded a separate project called Gling-Glo, in partnership with Trio Guomundar Ingolfssonar, an octogenarian jazz band from Iceland, performing a collection of popular and original jazz.
Amongst the many albums Bjork has produced ‘Homogenic’ her first conceptually solo project, is the one which conjures images of her beloved Iceland particularly in the track ‘Joga’ with its combination of rich strings and vibrant electronics emphasising the dramatic landscape of Iceland.
