Historical Figure
Björk
b. 1965
Icelandic singer (born 1965)
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Biography
Björk Guðmundsdóttir, known mononymously as Björk, is an Icelandic singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, and actress. Noted for her distinct voice, three-octave vocal range, and eccentric public persona, she has developed an eclectic musical style over a career spanning five decades, drawing on electronica, pop, dance, trip hop, jazz, and avant-garde music. She is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of her era.
In Their Own Words (5)
There's definitely, definitely, definitely no logicTo human behaviour… There's no mapAnd a compassWouldn't help at all
"Human Behaviour" , 1993
I am grateful grapefruit.
From her acceptance speech for the Brit Award for International Female Solo Artist at the 18th Brit Awards, 9 February 1998 , 1998
I don't like records that are the same from beginning to end, that are too styled and slick. Everything is so designed and airbrushed and Botoxed, it makes us think, 'Oh, everybody's perfect except me. Everything's smooth except me.' But nothing is smooth.
Defending her song "Ancestors", which had been alleged to be "really hard to listen to". Newsweek, 6 September 2004. , 2004
It's so amazing when people tell me that … electronic music has not got soul. And they blame the computers. They got the finger pointed at the computers like, "There's no soul here." … You can't blame the computer. If there's not soul in the music, it's because nobody put it there. And it's not the tool's fault.
The South Bank Show, series 21, episode 4: "Björk" (9 November 1997) , 1997
He offers a handshake, crooked five fingersThey form a pattern yet to be matchedOn the surface simplicityBut the darkest pit in meIs pagan poetry
"Pagan Poetry" , 2001
Timeline
The story of Björk, told in moments.
Formed the Sugarcubes with friends from the Reykjavik punk scene. Their debut single "Birthday" was named single of the week by Melody Maker. Bjork was 21.
Released her solo debut, also called Debut. Recorded in London with producer Nellee Hooper. "Human Behaviour" and "Big Time Sensuality" made her a global star. The album mixed electronic music, jazz, and Bollywood strings.
Starred in Lars von Trier's Dancer in the Dark and won Best Actress at Cannes. She'd composed the entire score. She later said the experience was so difficult she'd never act again.
Artifacts (1)
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