Johann Johannsson

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Location:
Reykjavik - Copenhagen, Ic
Type:
Artist / Band / Musician
Genre:
Electronica / Experimental / Other
Site(s):
Label:
4AD, Touch
Type:
Indie
Jóhann Jóhannsson's stately, slow-building and hauntingly melodic music, which frequently combines electronics with classical orchestrations, has been quietly bewitching listeners since he released his first genre-defining solo record Englabörn in 2002 on the well respected British label Touch. The record was re-released in 2007 by 4AD, by which time its reputation had grown as an influential recording in the burgeoning field that has been variously called post-classsical or neo-classical. Englabörn was written for string quartet, percussion and electronics, and Jóhann's second album, Virthulegu Forsetar (2004), for brass ensemble, drones and percussion. Both releases met substantial critical acclaim, whilst his third album and his first for 4AD, IBM 1401 - A User's Manual (2006), was his most ambitiously orchestrated composition to date involving a 60 piece string orchestra. Fordlandia, was released in November 2008 also on 4AD. The album was voted best classical album of 2008 at the Icelandic Music Awards. In April 2010 the Type label released And in the endless pause there came the sound of bees, an album of Jóhann's award-winning music for the film "Varmints".
Jóhanns most recent project is a collaboration with the experimental filmmaker Bill Morrison called The Miners Hymns, a film and accompanying composition for brass band, pipe organ and electronics. The piece had a live premiere in Durham Cathedral in July 2010 and a CD of the music, also recorded in Durham Cathedral, will be released on CD and DVD in 2011.
Although mostly instrumental, Jóhann's work often involves complex narratives, which deal with man's relationship with the world of machines and decaying and obsolete technology. His music often incorporates found recordings, such as his use of reel-to-reel recordings of a decommissioned 1960's IBM mainframe in the piece IBM 1401 - a User's Manual.
another orchestral album combining complex narrative themes with a sound that expands upon his earlier work while breaking new ground, Fordlandia combines romantic minimalism and baroque counterpoint with Krautrock, post-rock, glitch electronics and folk-inspired melodies.
Jóhanns many projects include the all-analog Apparat Organ Quartet and Kitchen Motors, an art organization/think tank/record label which specializes in instigating collaborations and art projects across diverse artforms. Kitchen Motors was active in the art and music scenes in Iceland at the end of the last century and sparked Jóhann is also an award-winning film composer with 9 international feature film credits to his name. He is a prolific collaborator, having worked and performed with artists such as Marc Almond, Barry Adamson, Pan Sonic, The Hafler Trio, Jaki Liebezeit, Laetitia Sadier, David Tibet, Baby Dee, Larsen and many more. Jóhann is also an accomplished composer for contemporary dance and theater. His acclaimed collaborations with the internationally renowned choreographer and dancer Erna Omarsdottir, "IBM 1401, a user's manual" (2002), and "Mysteries of Love" (2005), have been performed widely across Europe. Jóhann performs regularly throughout Europe and the rest of the world with his 6 piece ensemble, which includes a string quartet, piano, electronics and percussion.
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