DV  1993-07-17

By ELA

Translated by Albert Svan Sigurdsson; Sigurdsson@KATK.Helsinki.Fi


"Always Been Special" - an interview with Bjorks grandma and grandpa:


"Bjork is always our little girl. Of course we think it's terrific how 
far she's gotten and are very proud of her. Bjork has always been 
special and done it her way," say Hallfridur Gudmundsdottir and Gunnar 
Gudmundsson, Bjorks grandmother and grandfather.

"The music came forth in Bjork when she was a little child. She often 
sat by our piano, as a child, and played and sang. Above the piano there
was a painting by Kjarval (Icelandic painter) which she wrote a song 
about and was on the record she made when she was eleven."

There is quite much music in both of Bjorks families. Her grandmother 
Hallfridur, sang in the National Theatre Quire and often sang with Bjork 
when she was small. "I thought it was fun to hear when she sang with me 
and I noticed how clear her tone was. She was quick to learn lyrics even
if they were in English. Songs from Sound of Music were often played on
the radio and Bjork knew all the songs from that movie and often sang 
them."

"Bjork has always enjoyed being different from others and began quite 
early to wear strange clothes. Ever since she was a small child she has 
been special and very independent," says Hallfridur. "When Bjork was 
small and did something she was not supposed to she came to me and told 
me. She never tried to hide anything."

Gunnar says there was never any problem when childrens birthdays were 
held, Bjork took control. "She found clothes and things belonging to her
grandmother and dressed all the kids up," he says. "She was always full
of ideas."

The beginning of Bjorks career they say was in a festival in Fossvogs-
school where Bjork sang publicly. Shortly after that she sang in a radio
program where her step-father, Saevar Arnason, played with her. "She 
played the song I Love to Dance and it was very well done," says 
Hallfridur. "After that she sang on a record."

Bjork went to a music school where she learned to play flute. Playing 
instruments was always pushed aside by the singing. As a teenager she 
started playing with groups like Tappi Tikarrass and Kukl. With Kukl she
appeared playing on Melavollur (in Reykjavik), wearing rubber shoes. 
Some people are still talking about the girl in the rubber shoes. One of 
my pals said to me the other day how come the girl in those rubber shoes 
could have come so far, she who doesn't even know how to sing," says 
Gunnar.

When Bjork was 15 her grandmother painted a picture of her, which now 
hangs on the living room wall. On the picture Bjork's wearing colourful 
clothes. "She has always been fond of beautiful clothes and that's why I
painted her like that."

"Bjork always remembers us and calls us when either one of us has a 
birthday, wherever she is in the world. She always visits when she comes
to Iceland. I'm very interested in jazz and she checks which albums I 
buy," says Gunnar. "I was very pleased with the jazz album she did with
Gudmundur Ingolfsson."

"I hope she doesn't have to use the same methods as Madonna to get the 
worlds attention. I think Bjork will always be herself," says Gunnar. 
Hallfridur adds that she trusts Bjork will not let herself be destroyed.
"It's trying to be famous, she looses e.g. her freedom to walk the 
streets without being bothered. That's what I think is worst."

Gunnar says: "No Icelander has ever come this far. With full respects to
Kristjan Johannson (famous opera singer), which I adore very much, I 
think Bjork reaches a wider audience. If Bjork keeps her position in the
top ten then that is very good. Then she will go touring in the U.S. and
I know her record will sell good there."

 - Have you heard her record?

"Yes, she send us an early recording on tape early this spring. But its 
much more fun to hear the real album. We like her music and think the 
Indian players are terrific. This is different than what she was doing 
with the Sugarcubes," say granny and granddad who are very proud of 
their oldest grandchild success.