Atlantica - 01.06.2011, Qupperneq 41

A t L A n t i c A 39
After a two-year hiatus, legendary Icelandic dance merchants GusGus have
released their seventh album Arabian Horse (Kompakt). Named after the
mangled pronunciation of ‘couscous’ in a forgotten 1970s German film,
GusGus was initially formed in 1995 as an art collective combining beats, film and
visual art. Sixteen years later, the ever relevant ensemble has toured the world,
mixed artists ranging from Björk to Moloko and Depeche Mode and provided a
non-stop soundtrack to all the best parties.
Throughout, the core of the band has remained the trio Birgir Thórarinsson
(aka Biggi veira), Stephan Stephensen (aka President Bongo) and vocalist Daníel
Ágúst, but the full line-up has been constantly evolving, keeping the sound
flowing with new ideas and influences. Previous honorees include: film director
team Arni & kinski, whose cv includes videos for Sigur Rós, Jónsi and Placebo;
maggi Lego, the rainbow-shifting mustachioed don of all Reykjavík’s DJs; singer-
songwriter Hafdís Huld, only fifteen when she joined; and Icelandic-Italian song
bird Emiliana Torrini, for just one hit single.
In 2010, the core players gathered in an Icelandic summerhouse in the coun-
tryside and set about creating what many are already regarding as the band’s
best album yet. With beautiful melodies, thick beats, catchy hooks and bass kicks,
Arabian Horse balances the line between pop and underground dance, confi-
dently strutting out from the nightlife shadows and into the local mainstream. To
promote the album, GusGus is planning an extensive tour in Europe, Japan and
Australia later this year.
Meet the new album’s vocalists, Daniel Ágúst, Urdur Hákonardóttir and
Högni Egilsson.
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by SARi PElTOnEn
Photos CouRtesy of guSguS