Jóhann Jóhannsson with Aquarelle
First Avenue presents (at The Cedar)
Jóhann Jóhannsson has been called by critics “Iceland's foremost genre-crossing multi-instrumentalist” (Irish Times), “one of the bright lights in the already talent rich Icelandic underground music scene” (Aquarius Records), “the most compelling composer working today”, and “An important figure in Iceland’s new music scene at the turn of the millennium”. (All Music Guide).
His stately, slow-building and hauntingly melodic music, which frequently combines electronics with classical orchestrations, has been quietly bewitching listeners since he released his first solo record Englabörn in 2002 on the well respected British label Touch. The record was re-released in 2007 by 4AD, by which time its reputation and influence had grown. Englabörn was written for string quartet, percussion and electronics, and Jóhann’s second album, Virthulegu Forsetar (2004), for brass ensemble, drones and percussion. Both releases met substantial critical acclaim, and found their way onto many critics’ end of year lists. whilst his third album and his first for 4AD, IBM 1401 - A User's Manual (2006), was his most ambitiously orchestrated composition to date involving a 60 piece string orchestra and incorporating electronics and vintage reel-to-reel recordings of an IBM 1401 mainframe computer. Fordlandia (4AD) was released in November 2008 to wide critical acclaim. Another orchestral album with a sound that expands upon his earlier work while breaking new ground, Fordlandia combines a darkly romantic minimalism and baroque counterpoint with Krautrock, post-rock, glitch electronics and melodies inspired by North European folk music. Although mostly instrumental, Jóhann's work often involves complex narratives, which often deal with man's relationship with the world of machines and decaying and obsolete technology. Jóhann’s most recent album And in the endless pause there came the sound of bees was released on Type in April 2010.
The touring set-up will be Jóhann's familiar 6 piece including long-time Icelandic collaborator Matthías Hemstock. Strings will be handled by Clarice Jensen, Keats Diefenbach, Yuki Numata and Ben Russell of the amazing ACME ensemble, who also toured with Jóhann last year.
Solo electro-acoustic artist Ryan Potts (performing as Aquarelle) will open.
Tickets are on sale now from the Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), First Avenue outlets, and Ticketmaster.
Jóhann Jóhannsson is an Icelandic-born musician, composer and producer. Jóhann´s stately, slow-building and hauntingly melodic music, which frequently combines electronics with classical orchestrations, has been quietly bewitching listeners since he released...
Minnesota’s Ryan Potts named his electro-acoustic project “Aquarelle,” or a drawing in transparent watercolors. His album Slow Circles is packaged in tracing paper and prints. All this layered translucence perfectly captures the aura of the album, an...
