GusGus

GusGus is an electronic music band from Reykjavík, Iceland.[1] Although initially a film and acting collective, the group is mostly known for its electronic music.[2] The group's discography consists of ten studio albums.

GusGus
Background information
OriginReykjavík, Iceland
GenresTechno, house, downtempo, ambient
Years active1995–present
LabelsOROOM, 4AD, Kompakt
Websitegusgus.com
MembersDaníel Ágúst Haraldsson
Birgir Þórarinsson
GusGus: Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson and Birgir Þórarinsson performing in Aarhus, Denmark 2016

History

Gus Gus was initially formed in 1995 as a film and acting collective.[2] The band's name refers to the 1974 German film Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (German: Angst essen seele auf) by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, where a female character is cooking couscous for her lover, pronouncing it Gusgus.[3]

Membership in the band has varied, and included:

  • Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson
  • Emilíana Torrini Davíðsdóttir
  • Magnús Jónsson (aka Blake)
  • Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir
  • Urður Hákonardóttir (aka Earth)
  • Högni Egilsson
  • Birgir Þórarinsson (aka Biggi Veira or Biggo)
  • Magnús Guðmundsson (aka Maggi Lego, Herb Legowitz, Hunk of a Man, Buckmaster De La Cruz, The Fox, Fuckmaster, or Herr Legowitz)
  • Stephan Stephensen (aka President Bongo, Alfred More, or President Penis)
  • Sigurður Kjartansson (aka Siggi Kinski)
  • Stefán Árni Þorgeirsson
  • Baldur Stefánsson (Director of Financial Arts, aka DJ Tekno Jörgensen)
  • Ragnheiður Axel
  • Páll Garðarsson[2]

In 1997, the band performed in Toronto. They returned for a second visit as part of a tour supporting their second album, This is Normal.[4]

Gusgus' music is eclectic, and although primarily classified as techno, trip hop, and house music, the band has experimented with other styles.[2] It has also remixed 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.

As of 2011 the band had sold over 700,000 copies worldwide.[5]

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,[6] which has produced advertisements and videos. A few former members such as Hafdís Huld, Blake, and Daníel Ágúst have gone solo; Emilíana Torrini provided a song for the soundtrack of Peter Jackson's film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

Band members
1995
  • Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson
  • Emilíana Torrini Davíðsdóttir
  • Magnús Jónsson
  • Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir
  • Birgir Þórarinsson
  • Magnús Guðmundsson
  • Sigurður Kjartansson
  • Stefán Árni Þorgeirsson
  • 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)
  • "Don't Know How to Love" (2018)[7]
  • "Lifetime" (2019)
  • "Out of Place" (2020)
  • "Higher" feat Vök (2020)

See also

References
  1. "Gusgus". Discogs.com. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  2. Colin Larkin, ed. (2000). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 183. ISBN 0-7535-0427-8.
  3. Gusgus Interview with Nina Asseng, Berlin 2007 Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine (comment by Daníel Ágúst, starting at 5:30)
  4. "Live Reviews: Gus Gus May 6, 1999 Lee's Palace, Toronto". Chart Attack, by Mike McCann
  5. "New Gus Gus Album Premiered Onboard Flights | Icelandair". 18.203.49.15.
  6. "Arni & Kinski | Biography". Archived from the original on November 27, 2007.
  7. "GUS GUS | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
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