Björk announces a smart, evocative, layered, delicate, sinewy string of UK multimedia shows to preview her similarly adjective-laden new album

Björk announces a smart, evocative, layered, delicate, sinewy string of UK multimedia shows to preview her similarly adjective-laden new album

It’s been a while since Björk learned a new instrument. Sure, she’s made some great strides in the biz up to this point, but truth be told, she’s also been a bit bored lately doing the same old three-chord power pop over and over again. To that end, Björk has decided that it’s high time she shakes things up by learning how to play… (drum roll, please!)… the internet. How hard can it be, right?

You might recall back in January when we reported that a new iPad app titled Solar System featured a new Björk track. Um, yeah, to be honest, we were just kinda padding out the story with that tidbit at the time… but hey, it turns out that we had our finger on the pulse and we didn’t even know it, man. According to NME, Björk has used the iPad to partially record a new album, entitled Biophilia, which she plans to release… (second drum roll, please!)… as a “series of apps” for the damn thing. Oooh, your move, Radiohead!

To get fans juiced for the release (sorry, no official word on that yet), Björk is also planning a six-show, three-week residency at the Campfield Market Hall in merry old Manchester this summer as part of this year’s Manchester International Festival, with subsequent performances in other cities to follow. However, it should be noted that a press release describing Biophilia claims that it’s not JUST an album, but rather a “multi-media project encompassing music, apps, internet, installations and live shows.” So, you know, I guess maybe this is the release? (Go ahead, take a minute.) The press release also goes on to outline much of the gear to be used on stage for this whole thing, including… (okay, drummer dude, this is the last snare roll, I swear)… “a bespoke digitally-controlled pipe organ; a 30 foot pendulum that harnesses the earth’s gravitational pull to create musical patterns — creating a unique bridge between the ancient and the modern; a bespoke gamelan-celeste hybrid; and a one-off extraordinary pin barrel harp.” Sorry, sound guy.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go settle up with my snare drum player. Damn union musicians….

Björk stuff:

06.30.11 - Manchester, UK - Campfield Market Hall
07.03.11 - Manchester, UK - Campfield Market Hall
07.07.11 - Manchester, UK - Campfield Market Hall
07.10.11 - Manchester, UK - Campfield Market Hall
07.13.11 - Manchester, UK - Campfield Market Hall
07.16.11 - Manchester, UK - Campfield Market Hall

• Björk: http://bjork.com

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