By Gregg Shapiro
As the out frontman of groundbreaking Icelandic band Sigur Ros, Jonsi (pronounced Yonsi) provides warmth and an ethereal quality to the band's already atmospheric and lush, chilly songs. In fact, it's hard to imagine what Sigur Ros would sound like absent Jonsi. However, on "Go," Jonsi's solo debut, we get the chance to hear him sans band as he teams with primary collaborator, and openly gay orchestral pop artist, Nico Muhly.
We caught up with Jonsi recently, before his Nov. 5 gig at the Fillmore in Detroit, to chat about going solo, working with his partner and recording a new Sigur Ros CD.
How does it feel to be solo?
It feels really good. I'm really happy how it turned out.
What do you say to people who might be concerned that the release of a solo disc by you might be interpreted as the end of Sigur Ros?
I'm touring my solo album this year – and I'm going to keep on working in Sigur Ros, writing and recording songs. Hopefully there's going to be a new Sigur Ros album in 2011.
You wrote the closing theme for the animated movie "How to Train Your Dragon," which hit theaters earlier this year. What would it mean to you if the song was nominated for an Academy Award next year?
It would be really cool! (Laughs.)
There is a radiant effervescence to some of the songs on "Go," such as "Go Do," "Animal Arithemtic" and "Around Us." Is that a reflection of your state of mind at the time?
Yeah, I think so; definitely. I wanted to push these songs in any way possible. "Go Do," for example, was written on ukulele – which sounds kind of weird when I listen to it now (laughs). There are so many layers on the song, so many instruments. I wanted them to be energetic.
The songs "Around Us" and "Grow Till Tall" both contain references to growth and growing "till tall." What's the connection between the two songs?
I don't know why "grow" appears in so many songs. I think it appears in three lyrics on the album, actually. It's probably about… somebody growing.
Do you think it could be a reflection of your own personal and creative growth?
Yeah, it could be, actually. I'm kind of taking a big step by releasing this solo album and finally releasing these songs by myself. I've been creating for many, many years.
Are you referring to the passion fruit lilikoi in the song "Boy Lilikoi" – or something else?
Yeah.
Is lilikoi something that you like to eat?
Maybe it has a different meaning. Maybe it's about nature and living in the wild and dreams. Maybe meeting some young boy out in the forest (laughs).
You collaborated with your partner Alex Somers on the new album "Go" and you've also collaborated with him before. How does being in a relationship affect creative collaboration?
It's actually quite healthy. I like it. Alex is this amazing person who really inspires me. We have kind of the same taste in everything, like music, movies and books and clothes and food; nearly everything. We fit well together. It's really good for me. We support each other and help each other with songwriting. He helped me choose the songs for this album and produced the album with me. So yeah, it's really good.
What happens when you disagree on things?
We just bicker a little bit, but then somebody just gives in in the end (laughs).
If you hadn't teamed up with Nico Muhly, how different do you think the experience of making "Go" would have been for you?
It would be definitely different, I think. Nico definitely added a lot of atmosphere and colors and playfulness and life to the album, which I'm really happy about. It's what I wanted it to be, and exactly what I wanted him to do.
Jonsi
7 p.m. Nov. 5
The Fillmore
2115 Woodward, Detroit
$29.50-$39.50
http://www.jonsi.com
