http://tinyspark.sugarcube.net/news/076.htm Morgunbladid 2001-12 By ??? Translated by Paulie "Björk with another album in the works..." The National Museum of Iceland, decorated with the light scent of coffee and a relaxed atmosphere, is the setting for my interview. One might say this environment mirrors the tone of Björk Gudmundsdottir's fourth album, Vespertine, perfectly. Delving between introversion and penetrating sound waves, these are true evening songs, as the album's name indicates. The album has been widely acclaimed and many agree that Björk's release continues to shine in an artistic light, which is certainly unique in these modern times she works in. To hold such esteem after a space of four albums is no small feat. The last few months have seen Björk travel around the world to promote her album and perform concerts in the United States, Canada, Britain, Germany, Belgium, Holland, France, Spain and Italy. These two concerts are the final in her tour. With Björk are an eclectic lot and her overseeing the selection of her entourage demonstrates her stubbornness in not travelling the trodden road. To start with, the Icelandic Symphony will accompany her as well as harpist Zeena Parkins, American electronic duo Matmos, and female Inuit vocalist Tagaq from Greenland. So, how's it going? "Just fine." How are you feeling about the concerts? "Quite good." Do you think it's important to end your concert tour here at home? "Yes, I have always tried to do that. Then we're usually at our best. There is a certain raw quality to always be with a new band on every tour. At the beginning we are really finding ourselves as a band. But at the end of the journey it clicks; then the band has become more solid. Their natural qualities make it awfully exciting to work with new people and additionally I have always been with new scenery on every album, the way the sounds are seen. Then, of course, you have to have new musicians." And you have been able to get the collaborations you wanted? "Yes, I've always been unbelievably lucky with that... those first ones that I ask always say yes! For example, when I asked the Matmos guys, I thought they had something else to do, but they were available, and that was really excellent. Clearly, I have always asked people who have strong characteristics to bring into a project. I have never had an interest in working with people who are hacks. I want many different interpretations and work with people... " Which take part in the creative process? "Yes. And are as equally strong as me on the stage. Like when I was in Kukl and The Sugarcubes, we were all equally strong on the stage and were able to be ourselves... whatever that means," she says laughingly. "But, for example, with Vespertine, I was able to complete about 90% of it before I asked people to collaborate on it. Then I took care to ask people who were thinking along the same lines, like for example Matmos. And Zeena is also a person who has mainly been doing her own stuff and has been stuck with her part. Although this has been somewhat of an exception for her, going on a tour like this. She finds herself to be more or less on a Christmas vacation; usually she is doing 50,000 things," says Björk and laughs more. I spoke with Zeena before and asked her whether she has found pressure from other people because she's doing quite unusual things. She refused comment. Specifically, I have often found that large societies like the United States allow people to do what they want, but this country needs people to be exceptionally strong if they are going to follow their own convictions, since they are constantly under the microscope... "Yes... humm... yeeeaah... I'm used to people not understanding what I'm doing. I did this for ten or fifteen years before someone came to understand me. As a result I now wait a bit so that people will not misunderstand me again. But I have been very lucky to never be stuck on that, when I do a new album, everyone now understands what it is that I'm doing. That has never been this way. I just do what I want to do and if people understand me then that's a bonus. But if regarding this, it's very important to hit on what one wants to do in such a small place. I know that much better that no one understands me. People believe, for example, that we in The Sugarcubes were messed up and crazy at that time." Then are you really and adventurer or are being misunderstood? "Yes, I am really 'disgustingly good' in that", she says and smirks. "But I believe that I can say in my defence that in some respects that I don't thrive on it ... you know? There are people who thrive on being victims because no one understands them. I think it's just as complicated as being Britney Spears. People who perform strange roles to do strange roles? "Yes... They are really complicated traps. It is unbearable when people are somewhat always in agreement or always disagreeing. They are incredibly simple packages." Are you off to work on your next album? "Yes... but it's mostly in my head right now. Therefore I'm trying to generally not talk about it. That can ruin things. I am trying to keep it underwraps until the work begins on it at least." What about Vespertine's qualities and message? Many want to see a deep message... "I have never found it to be within my place to talk about the meaning of my work. And I don't like it when people are seeking a burning light to reference in the dark in some part. The other day I was asked to work with a modern dance troupe and I was really excited about it because this is a very good group. Until they told me the project was going to be about Greek mythology. Then I thought, 'Well...' It's like people have some sort of an inferiority complex towards what is going on today, like it has less value than what was about 3,000 years ago. I have somewhat tried to make modern mythologies. I find that to be much more of a challenge. I mean... That's a swan on the lake, you know? I have lovely memories of that. It's happened to me, to be listening to music and then have read something supernatural from here and ten years later I came to realise it has no truth in reality. But this doesn't really matter. I think it's just great to think that people are going to listen to my music in the car, when they're making love or having a row... or on the ski lift. Now that's a fine place..."