Bjork: The Icelandic Superstar on Being a Child Prodigy, the Power of Nature, and How to Stay Creative (2022)
Jul 30, 2024
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Bjork, a singular artist known for her innovative approach to music and conceptual art, reflects on her remarkable journey from a child prodigy to a cultural icon. She shares how her unique vocal style was formed and the inspiration behind her latest album, Fossora, featuring a bass clarinet ensemble. The conversation highlights her deep connection to nature and how it influences her artistic vision. Bjork also discusses the balance between solitude and collaboration, revealing the emotional significance of her creative process.
Bjork's unique vocal style and artistic vision were shaped by her childhood immersion in diverse music and the natural sounds of Iceland.
Her creative process relies on collaboration and the cyclical nature of creativity, fostering innovation while staying connected to her distinct identity.
Deep dives
Early Musical Influences
Bjork's relationship with music began at a young age, growing up in an environment that was rich with diverse sounds and influences. She fondly recalls walking to school in Iceland, where singing at the top of her lungs allowed her to connect with nature and express her inner joy. Raised in a household where music was a constant presence, with family members playing records from artists like Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa, she developed an intuitive understanding of melody and sound. This immersion in music during her formative years laid the foundation for her distinctive artistic voice and creativity.
The Conceptual Basis of Her Art
Bjork's work often begins with a strong conceptual theme that informs both her sound and visuals, as exemplified in her latest album, 'Fosora.' This album is characterized by heavy beats and a deeper resonance, with visual metaphors drawn from nature, such as mushrooms and tree roots. She emphasizes the importance of starting with sound, allowing the melodies to dictate the arrangements, rather than the other way around, which is common in electronic music. This process results in a unique artistic expression, where the connection to nature is both a thematic element and an inspiration for her compositions.
Collaboration and Reinvention
Collaboration plays a pivotal role in Bjork's artistic evolution, as she actively seeks to work with a diverse range of artists and contributors. Through these partnerships, she brings new ideas and perspectives into her music, allowing for constant reinvention and growth. She describes her approach to collaboration as a balance, where she is both a solitary creator in the songwriting process and a collaborative force when it comes to visual elements, involving teams of artists for album visuals. This method not only enhances her versatility as an artist but also preserves her core sound and identity throughout her various projects.
The Nature of Creativity and Pollination of Ideas
Bjork discusses the cyclical nature of creativity, likening it to pollination, where ideas and influences intertwine over time to produce innovative work. She reflects on the significance of allowing space for creativity, embracing periods of relaxed observations and experiences, rather than forcing output. This approach enables her to synchronize her emotional states with her artistic expressions, leading to the creation of art that feels authentic and resonant. Her ability to draw inspiration from her surroundings and the collaborative process ensures that her music continues to evolve while maintaining her distinctive voice.
Bjork, a singular artist whose work extends beyond music to include acting and conceptual art, discusses her career and artistic vision in this wide-ranging interview from 2022.
She talks with Guy about forming her unique vocal style; recording her first album at 11 years old; her album, Fossora, which features a bass clarinet ensemble; and why she uses symbols from nature to define each of her albums.