“When we were doing Valtari, we started writing the songs,” Orri says on Kveikur‘s genesis. “Then we started touring in July [last year], and in between touring we were recording. We haven’t really had any time off since July.”
Valtari marked the band’s first material since retreating in 2008, an inactive period that fans feared might be permanent. As Orri explains, the strategy has paid off.
“It was very necessary. We quit in November 2008, and then we were going to take a whole year off. But we found ourselves in the studio the following March [laughs], starting to do Valtari. It was the first and the last sessions of Valtari, that was in March 2009. So there wasn’t really a hiatus, we just weren’t touring. Then we did the film Inni, the concert film in London. We were always doing something. But we were sleeping in our own bed, not the tour bus. It was a good break from touring, at least.”
The return to the studio was followed by Sigur Rós bringing their considerable live show back to the world stages, including a run of Australian dates at last year’s Harvest Festivals. “We were all super nervous,” Orri says of the return to the live setting. “Well, at least me and Goggi [Hólm, bassist] were – [singer] Jónsi had been on tour, so he was kind of used to it. But I was really nervous for the first show. But we got back into it really quickly. Now we have new string players and bass players touring with us, plus one guitar player and piano player. They’re all really nice people. It’s kind of like starting over again.”
After a dearth of drums present on Valtari, Orri’s percussion work has returned in big way on Kveikur. “Drums are the most fun instrument in the world, especially playing live. But the piano doesn’t bother anyone. So when I’m at home I don’t play drums at all, I just play guitar and piano. They’re such different instruments. The drums are a lot more physical. I’ve been playing them a lot – on tour and on Kveikur. It’s great fun,” he beams. “There’s almost no piano. It’s very bass and drum-oriented, they carry most of the weight. It’s more ‘rock’, if that’s the right word.”
Long-serving keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson announced his departure at the start of the year, resulting in the band managing with a three-piece formation. “It was very strange at first. When we were making these songs for Kveikur, a lot of the time we had a computer running these loops and lines. We named the computer Kjartan,” Orri laughs. “There was definitely something missing. We got used to it, but it was strange at first. We had played together for a long time. But it was good for us, it’s different, it’s what we needed. Kjartan is happier with what he’s doing now, so everyone likes it.”
Earlier in the year, the three Sigur Rós members guest starred on The Simpsons, a role which saw them become the most involved musical guest stars – with original compositions being produced for the soundtrack. “I think it’s amazing actually, one of the highlights of my life. I have three kids, I used to watch it when I was a kid. It’s just amazing. We had to do it on tour, so we were in hotel rooms and dressing rooms and it was great fun, actually. We did something that we thought would be a demo, and we were waiting for them to reply or comment, but they just really liked the demo. So that’s what we mixed, and that’s what is on the show.”
With their music being overwhelmingly affecting and serious in nature, it’s interesting to see the band appear in light-hearted cartoon form. Though not present in their music, it seems the Icelandic outfit possess a distinct sense of humour – evident in a clip from a live a show in France where Jonsi forgets the lyrics, and ad libs something along the lines of “oh shit, I forgot the lyrics, but that’s alright because I’m in France and no one understands me” in Icelandic. “That’s really funny, actually,” Orri regales. “I don’t know. I guess you’re right, the music isn’t really funny. I don’t like funny music, actually. I don’t think it’s a good mix.”
As for a return to Australia, Orri assures us we’re on the Kveikur touring cycle radar. “We are touring until the beginning of December, and that’s the only thing that’s booked. If we are feeling alright, still healthy, and not been drinking too much, then we might tour next year.”
BY LACHLAN KANONIUK
