GusGus
20th October 2023

Tastemakers of the scene for a quarter of a century, GusGus are one of the most  beloved and longstanding electronic acts hailing from Iceland. Offering much more  than just unparalleled musical mastery, the group have had their feet firmly spread  across various sectors of the creative space since their inception, and would sooner  be classified as a multi-media art collective above all else. Perhaps their most  defining quality has been a colourful history of mysterious dramas and last-minute  collapses, woven amidst improbable apex moments that have no doubt made  theirs one of the most compelling journeys of any electronic ensemble to date. With ethereal sonic finesse, the quest is to transcend the physical realm and galvanise a divinely hypnotic sense of release within their audiences. On this emotional journey championing free expression and sound  experimentation, the emblematic outfit subvert the traditional electronic music  format, oscillating between analog hardware and celestial song to elicit their own  intoxicating strain of electronica.  

Armed with a legendary must-see live show that encompasses all of the elements  that they are known for, on-stage GusGus extend their tracks and warp their  soundscapes in a way that is totally unique to each set, offering a ‘limited-edition’  experience for their fanbase each and every time. World-renowned for their genre defying style, the troupe’s eclectic infusion of modern club culture and echoes of  the past have seen them remix iconic acts such as Depeche Mode, Björk and Sigur  Rós. With the near constant presence of Biggi Veira and Daníel Ágúst, recently re joined (behind the scenes) by founding member Siggi Kinski and the newly  recruited Margrét Rán, the collective has seen a rotating cast of members, all of  whom have contributed to the artistic vibrancy that has defined the group and its  production output over its 25 year-long career.  

Initially formed as a multi-media collective in 1995 by filmmakers Stefán Árni and  Siggi Kinski, the project was extended to DJ Maggi Lego (aka Herb Legowitz),  programmer Biggi Veira, vocalist/actors Daníel Ágúst, Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir,  Magnús Jónsson and manager Baldur Stefánsson to soundtrack and star in their  short “Nautn” film. Released later that year, the score materialised as the band’s  debut album, simply titled “GusGus”. Being a quirky several-member co-ed music  group from Reykjavik, Iceland, GusGus were bound to inspire evaluations towards  the Sugarcubes and soon caught the attention of the group’s founding label 4AD.  Adding further material to their self-titled LP, GusGus went global with  “Polydistortion” in 1997 via the Indie scene’s leading imprint, unveiling trip-hop  and modern club culture sensibilities far removed from the post-punk lunacy that  dominated the ‘80s. Grammy nominated Emilíana Torrini enjoyed a brief stint with the band, contributing her vocals on the LP’s cuts “Why?” and “Is Jesus Your Pal”  before going on to work with Kylie Minogue on her “Body Language” album in  2003.  

The more song-oriented and house-rooted “This Is Normal” hit shops in 1999.  Following two relatively informal albums, the then 9-piece outfit set about  recording a body of music reflective of their contemporary yet unorthodox nature,  which brought additional challenges of its own, as individual members played tug  of war with their personal tastes and aspirations. With the band in disarray and the  foreboding bankruptcy of 4AD drawing ever closer, the troupe’s final offering for  the label, “GusGus vs T-World”, shed new light on classic T-World cuts and marked  the end of a tumultuous first chapter.  

Renewed inspiration struck on the final night of their post-“GusGus vs T-World”  tour, prompting the creation of their Underwater-released “Attention” (2002), with  the album’s leading track “David” subsequently hitting #1 in the clubs of Germany.  A short stint with Pineapple in 2007 saw new material in the form of “Forever”,  channelling a mixture of acid-inspired synths and streamlined dance songs. GusGus  most recently associated with the prestigious Kompakt for an interval during which  the regular membership was reduced to a trio, eventually swelling again into a  quintet. Whilst affiliated with the Cologne, Germany-based imprint, they released  the sprawling “24/7” (2009), which paved the way for further LP releases “Arabian  Horse” (2011) and “Mexico” (2014). As is the current mode, and in accordance with  their fiercely independent outlook, the band broke free of the label system  altogether to release their 11th and most recent studio album on their own Oroom imprint. “Lies Are More Flexible” (2018) capitalised on ambient, down-tempo,  progressive dance and neo-electronic infusions, whilst remaining tethered to the  group’s 80’s Italodisco and Synthwave tones.  

After 25 years of music, memories and unforgettable live performances, GusGus  unfold into a new era with the announcement of their upcoming 2021 album.  Rejuvenated and replete with creative aspiration, the collective welcome Vök’s Margrét Rán as the newest member of the circus, calling upon her illustrious dream pop vocals to launch a new chapter in the GusGus saga. Offering an immersive  montage of short stories that will serve as their most ambitious and forward thinking LP to date, “Mobile Home” echoes the world’s forgotten purpose, lost  between screens of distraction and material consciousness. This conceptual  manifesto is the embodiment of GusGus and their world; a virtuous blend of  masterful compositions and profound ideologies.