GusGus | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Reykjavík, Iceland |
Genres | Electronic music |
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels | 4AD, Kompakt |
Website | gusgus |
Members |
Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson Högni Egilsson Birgir Þórarinsson |
GusGus is an electronic band from Reykjavík, Iceland. They were founded in 1995. The group's discography consists of nine studio albums.
Initially formed as a film and acting collective, the group became mostly known for its electronic music. GusGus has had a varied lineup, including the following:
Its 2015 incarnation consists of four members (President Bongo, Biggi Veira, Urður Hákonardóttir and Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson). After the group's third album, This Is Normal (1999), the filmmaking arm of Gusgus (Kjartansson and Árni Þorgeirsson) split off to form the production company Celebrator, now known as Arni & Kinski, which has produced advertisements and videos. A few former members such as Hafdís Huld, Blake, and Daníel Ágúst have gone solo, most notably though Emilíana Torrini, who provided a song for the soundtrack of Peter Jackson's film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.
Gusgus' music is eclectic, and although primarily classified as techno, trip hop, and house music, the band has experimented with numerous other styles. It has also remixed several famous artists, including Björk, Depeche Mode, Moloko, and Sigur Rós. In January 2004, GusGus released the song "Desire" with Ian Brown. A remix of the track "Purple" appeared on Paul Oakenfold's trance compilation Tranceport.
The band's name refers to the 1974 German film Ali: Fear Eats the Soul by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, where a female character is cooking couscous for her lover, pronouncing it Gusgus. The band regards it as a sex reference.