Results tagged “sigurr”

Oh Iceland. As we've previously noted, its chilly climes makes for a hot music scene. Though you may not be able to pronounce them correctly, you know the names: Björk, Sigur Rós, Benni Hemm Hemm, Amiina. There are various accent marks and umlauts up the yin-yang, but in terms of music, Icelandic spells quality.

What the hell is it about Iceland? How can a cold and tiny isolated nation with only 300,000 people be responsible for so much weird and wonderful music? From Björk to Sigur Rós to Múm (who will be appearing at Neumo's in October, btw), Iceland's got a strong presence on the indie scene. Hmm...there must be something in all them hot springs.

The final full week of SIFF is upon us. It's time to get some last few films before the sun sets on this year's fest. This week's got a couple great music events as well: Friday night, Portastatic will be on hand to perform a specially-commissioned live score accompanying circus freakshow-themed silent film The Unknown (more about that in a few days).

Last night at Benaroya Hall, we were distressed by the sight of something terrible amidst the sold-out crowd: there, a couple rows in front of us on the orchestra level, were four guys with their collars popped. Yuck. Kids, do you know who pops their collars? Tools and/or douchebags. Case(s) in point. So leave that shit in Bellevue, Chad, 'cause you're here to see Sigur friggin' Rós.

It is an inarguable fact that Sigur Rós is the best Icelandic post-post-post-rock band to sing in a made-up language EVER. Seattlest was lucky enough to have floor seats at their sold-out show last night at the Paramount, and we were not disappointed. Far from it: the band flawlessly reproduced the lush, atmospheric sounds of their four albums, as lead singer Jón þór Birgissin, with his otherworldy voice, effortlessly hit high notes that Chris Martin only wishes he could reach. While Sigur Rós makes use of a lot of instruments---drums, guitar, bass, piano, xylophone, and glockenspiel, not to mention the string quartet care of opening band Amina---the most impressive is Birgissin sawing at his guitar with a violin bow, which is as weird and delightful to watch as it is to hear.