GusGus

GusGus
Background information
Origin Reykjavík, Iceland
Genres Techno, House, Downtempo, Ambient
Years active 1995–present
Labels OROOM, 4AD, Kompakt
Website gusgus.com
Members Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson
Birgir Þórarinsson
GusGus: Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson and Birgir Þórarinsson performing in Aarhus, Denmark 2016

GusGus is an electronic band from Reykjavík, Iceland.[1] They were founded in 1995. The group's discography consists of ten studio albums.

History

Initially formed as a film and acting collective, the group became mostly known for its electronic music. GusGus has had a varied lineup, including the following:

  • Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson
  • Emilíana Torrini Davíðsdóttir
  • Magnús Jónsson (a.k.a. Blake)
  • Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir
  • Urður Hákonardóttir (a.k.a. Earth)
  • Högni Egilsson
  • Birgir Þórarinsson (a.k.a. Biggi Veira or Biggo)
  • Magnús Guðmundsson (a.k.a. Maggi Lego, Herb Legowitz, Hunk of a Man, Buckmaster De La Cruz, The Fox, Fuckmaster, or Herr Legowitz)
  • Stephan Stephensen (a.k.a. President Bongo, Alfred More, or President Penis)
  • Sigurður Kjartansson (a.k.a. Siggi Kinski)
  • Stefán Árni Þorgeirsson
  • Baldur Stefánsson
  • Ragnheiður Axel
  • Páll Garðarsson

Its 2015 incarnation consists of four members (President Bongo, Biggi Veira, Urður Hákonardóttir and Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson). After the group's third album, This Is Normal (1999), the filmmaking arm of Gusgus (Kjartansson and Árni Þorgeirsson) split off to form the production company Celebrator, now known as Arni & Kinski,[2] which has produced advertisements and videos. A few former members such as Hafdís Huld, Blake, and Daníel Ágúst have gone solo, most notably though Emilíana Torrini, who provided a song for the soundtrack of Peter Jackson's film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

Gusgus' music is eclectic, and although primarily classified as techno, trip hop, and house music, the band has experimented with numerous other styles. It has also remixed several famous artists, including Björk, Depeche Mode, Moloko, and Sigur Rós. In January 2004, GusGus released the song "Desire" with Ian Brown. A remix of the track "Purple" appeared on Paul Oakenfold's trance compilation Tranceport.

The band's name refers to the 1974 German film Ali: Fear Eats the Soul by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, where a female character is cooking couscous for her lover, pronouncing it Gusgus. The band regards it as a sex reference.[3]

As of 2011 the band has sold over 700,000 copies worldwide. [4]

Band members

1995
  • Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson
  • Emilíana Torrini Davíðsdóttir
  • Magnús Jónsson
  • Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir
  • Birgir Þórarinsson
  • Magnús Guðmundsson
  • Sigurður Kjartansson
  • Baldur Stefánsson
  • Ragnheiður Axel
  • Páll Garðarsson
1996–2000
  • Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson
  • Magnús Jónsson
  • Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir
  • Birgir Þórarinsson
  • Magnús Guðmundsson
  • Sigurður Kjartansson
  • Stefán Árni Þorgeirsson
  • Stephan Stephensen
  • Baldur Stefánsson
2001–2007
  • Urður Hákonardóttir
  • Birgir Þórarinsson
  • Stephan Stephensen
  • Magnús Guðmundsson
2008–2010
  • Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson
  • Birgir Þórarinsson
  • Stephan Stephensen
2011–2013
  • Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson
  • Högni Egilsson
  • Urður Hákonardóttir
  • Birgir Þórarinsson
  • Stephan Stephensen
2014-2016
  • Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson
  • Högni Egilsson
  • Birgir Þórarinsson
2016-onwards
  • Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson
  • Birgir Þórarinsson

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

  • Mixed Live at Sirkus, Reykjavik (2003)

Compilations

  • 15 ára (2010)

Singles

  • "Polyesterday" (1996) — UK No. 55 (as Purple EP: Polyesterday)
  • "Believe" (1997) — UK No. 154
  • "Standard Stuff for Drama" (1997)
  • "Ladyshave" (1999) — UK No. 64
  • "V.I.P." (1999) — UK No. 86
  • "Starlovers" (1999) — UK No. 62
  • "Dance You Down" (2002) — UK No. 141
  • "Desire" (2002) — UK No. 95
  • "David" (2003) — UK No. 52
  • "Call of the Wild" (2003) — UK No. 75
  • "Lust / Porn" (2005)
  • "Need in Me" (2005) — BG No. 24
  • "Forever Sampler" (2006)
  • "Moss" (2007)
  • "Hold You" (2007)
  • "Add This Song" (2009)
  • "Thin Ice" (2009)
  • "Within You" (2011)
  • "Over" (2011)
  • "Deep Inside" (2011)
  • "Crossfade" (2014)
  • "Obnoxiously Sexual" (2014)
  • "Mexico" (2014)
  • "Airwaves" (2014)
  • "Featherlight" (2017)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gusgus
  2. ↑ Arni & Kinski | Biography Archived 2007-11-27 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ Gusgus Interview with Nina Asseng, Berlin 2007 (comment by Daníel Ágúst, starting at 5:30)
  4. ↑ http://www.icelandair.us/news/story/new-gusgus-album-premiered-onboard-icelandair-flights/
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