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GusGus (Iceland)
August 11, 20:00
YotaSpace YotaSpace

GusGus (Iceland) Being a quirky co-ed nine-piece from Reykjavik, Iceland, GusGus was almost bound to inspire comparisons to the Sugarcubes, though the onset of ten years caused the group to inherit the influences of electronic fuzz and trip-hop rhythms rather than the bout of post-punk lunacy which inspired the Sugarcubes during the late '80s. Begun as a cinema concern in early 1995 by filmmakers Stefan Arni and Siggi Kjartansson, the group was gradually expanded to include musicians such as DJ Herb Legowitz and programmer Biggi Thorarinsson as well as singer/songwriters Daniel Agust, Hafdis Huld and Magnus Jonsson (former actors all), a cinematographer (Steph) and a producer (Baldur Stefansson).

The band's decidedly indie sensibilities led to their signing by 4AD after a four-part series of dance mix EPs during 1996. Among a handful of groups in the late '90s with access to both close-knit dance circles as well as the notoriously uptight indie community, the group gained support from LFO (with Mark Bell's remix of "Believe"), and one of London's most celebrated DJ stores, Fat Cat Records, while playing their first date in England. Given a combined US/UK release due to 4AD's agreement with Warner Bros., their debut album Polydistortion hit the stores in April 1997. This is Normal followed in 1999, and one year later the anthology release GusGus vs. T- World appeared. In 2000 the group changed: six original members leave and the three remaining producers find hope in a new female singer, Earth. And in 2002 GusGus made their 4th studio album Attention. "Versatile, Compelling and Emotional," - wrote Jockey Slut about this work; "worth travelling a long long way for," - wrote The Guardian; and the Buckmaster De La Cruz added: "This is electronic soul." GusGus has produced four music videos for Attention: "Dance You Down", "David", "Call of the Wild" and "Desire". On Attention GusGus kept up the habit of a cover song and this time it is Jimi Tenor's "Call of the Wild". Attention aired a new visual side with Paul Mcmenamin/Spine as Art Director. GusGus were their own masters when it came to making music videos and live-visuals, with inspirations from friends and lovers all over the world, Aftur, Simon Scott/Process, You, Sweeney, Filmus, Noah/Spine and Arni Hassen Sveinsson, half of Director duo Gus Hassen with President Bongo.

In 2009 GusGus created their first record for Kompakt - an enigmatic 24/7. This album was return to form for the trio, earning much acclaim and fanfare thanks to its conceptual rigidity and pure glamour. Conceived solely with the help of two precious Doepfer modular systems and Daniel August's all-pervasive vocals, it could have been easily characterized as GusGus' unofficial live album. If you had the chance to catch one of their many live shows on their exhaustive world-wide tour, you know what drive and emotion their show brought to the stage and crowd.

Let's fast forward to present day. The trio comprised of President Bongo, Biggi Veira and Daniel August felt the urge to reunite. They set up a makeshift studio in a summer cottage in the depths of the lava field. Secluded in silence and beauty they began working on their seventh studio album and have delivered Arabian Horse - a full length that brims with highlights showcasing GusGus' versatility and stunning songwriting ability to creative levels that we feel is their greatest accomplishment in their 15+ year history. A vast array of illustrious guest musicians and singers abound on these powerful ten new songs. Most prominently, we welcome the long awaited return of former band member and gifted vocalist Urdur "Earth" Hakonardottir who appears on the three songs "Be With Me", "Arabian Horse" and "Over". Hogni Elisson recently released a wonderful album with his band Hjaltalin and lends his voice to some of the album's most memorable and deepest moments. Samuel Jon Samuelsson contributes the elevating, goosebump-inducing string arrangements, David Thor Jonsson contributes accordion and the banjo. Even an un-named Gypsy combo leave their mark on Arabian Horse!

Compared to GusGus' stripped down predecessor for Kompakt, Arabian Horse was much more "in your face" - the songs brim with big gestures, enthralling hooks, pop and soul. GusGus have perfected the craft of balancing that fine line between commercial pop and underground dance music. But who needs compartmentalization when we're talking about music and emotion? Take the powerful schaffel (aka shuffle) anthem "Deep Inside" which makes use of big room chords you'd normally hear in more commercially tunes but balances that with a ferocious bass line and vocal duel that belongs to anyone. This sincerity in their music carries throughout Arabian Horse. Another prime example of this is the Hogni fronted "Within You" - strings converge with his breathtaking vocals backed by a thoroughly addictive techno bass kick.

It's a fact that GusGus retraced their original influences and have created a dance pop album that equally resonates a forgotten period of early 90's dance pop (think The Beloved), classic house music and urban soul a la Massive Attack. But make no mistake, Arabian Horse does not sound like pure retro in any way. It's deeply rooted in the sound of today backed by one of the most state-of-the-art quality productions Kompakt has released to date. Still need a tag? Why not: Icelandic Hi-Tech Soul.

Following best seller Arabian Horse, Birgir Thorarinsson, Daniel Agust, Hogni Egilsson and Stephan Stephensen released their third full-length album Mexico via Kompakt in 2014, where they leaved no stone unturned on their journey to sonic bliss, delving ever deeper into timeless melodies with every subsequent track and stepping further into the future of anthemic pop music. Mexico is a fresh look at how the club electronic music may sound today, the new GusGus' masterpiece, the hugely satisfying follow-up to past exploits and another step into the future of anthemic pop music.

Interestingly enough, title track Mixico is the only instrumental on the new full-length, fittingly bringing a more linear flair air to the proceedings. But it's what makes it all the more amazing to witness GusGus' strong sense of melody and playfulness bending the steel of standardized club formatting into shape. Sporting the nuanced narration of a coherent artist album as well as the eager excitement of a great track selection, GusGus' latest holds the potential to become a source for many a personal best-of mixtape.

GusGus are respected for their choice of remixers with Captain Comatose, Carl Craig, Aaron-Carl, 16B, Darren Emerson, Mark Bell, MAW and many more putting their love into it. GusGus also hold an impressive rooster of remixes with Bjork, Depeche Mode, Aaron-Carl, Model 500, Roy Davis jr., Captain Comatose, Sigurros, Einar Orn and Robert Owens on top of the list. A lot of DJ's play globally all year long GusGus' mixture of house, disco, soul and delights.

In Moscow GusGus are coming with special summer concert. Dancing people down from Europe, N-America, South America and Asia - they are always putting maximum effort to every live performance, talking sound or visuals.

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