It’s a reg’lar Björk-a-palooza over here!
In an attempt to consolidate all of the new information pouring in from press releases (okay, mostly just one whopper of a press release), I’ve put together all of the latest information on Björk’s forthcoming album, Biophilia.
To begin, the Biophilia campaign will roll out in five pieces:
(A) The album, a 10-track collection which will be released later this year in physical and digital form.
(B) The apps, a set of 10 individual apps to be released in July that were created by the industry’s leading developers (including the guy behind Sim City!) for users to individually manipulate every Biophilia track for “educational and game purposes.”
Since I couldn’t possibly summarize this, please enjoy this in-depth explanation of each of the apps:
Every app has its own theme (in connection with its corresponding song) and combines a natural element with a musicological feature. The layers of content in each app include: an interactive game based on the song’s scientific and musical subject matter, a musical animation of the song, an animated score, lyrics, and an academic essay. The game enables the user to interact with musical elements of the song and to learn about different musical features while creating their own version; the musical animation and animated music score bring together conventional and innovative ways of representing music visually; and the academic essay explores the ideas behind each song and app and how they are realized musically.
The Biophilia Apps have been developed with a team chosen by Björk, comprising ten of the most groundbreaking and commercially successful app developers working today. The team is lead by Scott Snibbe Studio, creator of the bestselling apps Gravilux and Bubble Harp, and includes the creator of Sim City, TouchPress (pioneering designers behind the two top grossing apps Elements and Solar System), and a host of award winning designers, animators and leading experts in coding and encryption.
(C) The live performances, which will carry out as “a three-year world tour of six-week residencies in eight different cities” (!!!) in which the Icelandic superstar performs Biophilia in its entirety twice a week to a crowd of less than 2,000 per venue (which will be “specially chosen spaces and museums, rather than traditional music venues”).
The performances will employ such custom-made new instruments as “a 10-foot pin barrel harp called the Sharpsichord, a midi-controlled pipe organ and celeste (re-fitted with bronze gamelan bars), twin musical tesla coils, a hang player and an award-winning 24-piece Icelandic female choir.” When she’s not performing, she’ll be giving regular educational workshops at local schools.
Above is the aforementioned “midi-controlled pipe organ,” The Gameleste, which will be used during the upcoming live shows. I’m also nearly positive this is the crystal-like instrument being used on lead single, “Crystalline.”
From the video’s description:
Björk commissioned several custom instruments for the shows surrounding the release of ‘Biophilia’ – one is a hybrid gamelan celeste; the original steel bars of a vintage orchestral celeste were replaced with bronze tonebars hand-made by UK cymbalsmith Matt Nolan, and the instrument was rebuilt and MIDIfied by Iceland’s top organ-maker, Björgvin Tòmasson.
(D) The documentary, a 90-minute feature that will track the creative process and evolution of the Biophilia era is due to air later into the campaign.
(E) The new official website, which has been designed as “a unique immersive 3D galaxy with versions that can be enjoyed on almost all devices.”
The campaign’s lead single “Crystalline” (which I Muused about earlier this week) is officially available on iTunes worldwide today, and will soon be accompanied by a Michel Gondry-directed clip. The acclaimed French director is one of Björk’s most frequent collaborators, responsible for videos including “Army of Me,” “Jóga” and “Declare Independence.”
Tonight, Björk will be premiering the first of her live shows in support of Biophilia during her residency at the Manchester International Festival for the next three weeks.
Frankly, I’m exhausted just reading about this campaign. It’s a MONSTER! After planning out all the venues, instrument designs and app developers, it’s a wonder she even had the time to step into a studio–let alone write a song!
All that being said: Good luck tonight, Lady B! I can’t wait to see/hear/experience/love it up!
“Crystalline” was released worldwide this week. (iTunes)