Jon Por Birgisson (Jonsi)

One band i'm yet to see, and I doubt it will ever happen because we are as isolated in our little city as they are in theirs, is Sigur Ros. It would seem their native home of Iceland plays a useful metaphor for their sound, with atmospheric soundscapes of floating guitars, ethereal melodies and the amazing falsetto voice of Jonsi, all orchestrated with the ability of not breaking into the mainstream. They have created something beautiful, that no others have been able to mimic.

Vonlenska is the term used by Jonsi to describe the unintelligible lyrics that are sung throughout many of the songs. This is what I love about their music, it lets you create your own nostalgic meaning behind the wordplay. They had much acclaim with their release of Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust (With a Buzz In Our Ears We Play Endlessly), and have a new record scheduled for release sometime in 2010, quoted to be less My Bloody Valentine-ish and more minimalist. However Jonsi's talents thankfully do not stop at Sigur Ros. He has been working recently with partner Alex Sommers (of Parachutes) under the guise Riceboy Sleeps, releasing a 9 track record under the same name.

Now its been reported Jonsi is about to release a solo album in 2010. Without fail it should be beautiful. Here is the first track to be released where he actually sings in English.

Riceboy Sleeps - Happiness.mp3

Jonsi - Boy Lilikoi.mp3