Riceboy Sleeps
Encyclopedia
Jónsi & Alex is an artistic collaboration between Jón Þór Birgisson
(singer for the Iceland
ic post-rock
band Sigur Rós
) and his partner Alex Somers
. They create ambient music
as well as visual art. The music tends to be more ethereal and experimental than that of Sigur Rós.
To spread the word of the book's publishing, Somers and Jón held an art exhibition at Gallery Turpentine in Reykjavík
, Iceland.
In August 2007, they went to Arkansas
to hold their first exhibit outside of Iceland. In October of the same year, they held a third exhibit at Melbourne International Arts Festival
and were part of the Sequences Art Festival in Reykjavík.
They also contributed the song "Happiness" to the Dark Was the Night
charity compilation album produced by Aaron and Bryce Dessner
of The National
. At that time, the duo were known as Riceboy Sleeps.
Their debut album Riceboy Sleeps
was released in Europe on July 20, 2009.
Their song Stokkseyri was featured prominently in the Series Finale
of Friday Night Lights
.
Jón Þór Birgisson
Jón “Jónsi” Þór Birgisson is the guitarist and vocalist for the Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós. He is known for his use of a cello bow on guitar and his falsetto voice. He is also blind in his right eye and is openly gay. His boyfriend Alex Somers has done much of the graphic design for...
(singer for the Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
ic post-rock
Post-rock
Post-rock is a subgenre of rock music characterized by the influence and use of instruments commonly associated with rock, but using rhythms and "guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures" not traditionally found in rock...
band Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós is an Icelandic post-rock band with classicaland minimalist elements. The band is known for its ethereal sound, and frontman Jónsi Birgisson's falsetto vocals and use of bowed guitar. In January 2010, the band announced that they will be on hiatus. Since then, it has since been announced...
) and his partner Alex Somers
Alex Somers
Alex Somers is an American visual artist and musician from Baltimore, Maryland. He is currently living in Reykjavík, Iceland with his boyfriend, Jón Þór Birgisson, the vocalist and guitar player for the Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós. Somers is a founding member of the now defunct band...
. They create ambient music
Ambient music
Ambient music is a musical genre that focuses largely on the timbral characteristics of sounds, often organized or performed to evoke an "atmospheric", "visual" or "unobtrusive" quality.- History :...
as well as visual art. The music tends to be more ethereal and experimental than that of Sigur Rós.
Visual art
Jónsi & Alex began as a Sigur Rós side project around 2003 under the name Riceboy Sleeps. On November 24, 2006, they released their first picture book with the same name as their project. One thousand hand-numbered editions were produced, and only available in Iceland. They released a second edition in July 2007 that was not hand-numbered.To spread the word of the book's publishing, Somers and Jón held an art exhibition at Gallery Turpentine in Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
, Iceland.
In August 2007, they went to Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
to hold their first exhibit outside of Iceland. In October of the same year, they held a third exhibit at Melbourne International Arts Festival
Melbourne International Arts Festival
Melbourne Festival is a celebration of dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia, outdoor and free events held for 17 days each October in a number of venues across Melbourne, Australia.-History:...
and were part of the Sequences Art Festival in Reykjavík.
Music
The two have released two singles: "All the Big Trees" and "Daníell in the Sea." Their song "Stokkseyri" played during the fourth season finale of the hit British show Skins.They also contributed the song "Happiness" to the Dark Was the Night
Dark Was the Night
Dark Was the Night is the twentieth compilation release benefiting the Red Hot Organization, an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS...
charity compilation album produced by Aaron and Bryce Dessner
Aaron and Bryce Dessner
Aaron and Bryce Dessner are twin brothers and members of the rock band The National. Aaron Dessnerwrites the majority of the music for The National. The brothers are co-founders, alongside Alec Hanley Bemis, of Brassland, a label that is home to artists including The National, the Clogs, catalog...
of The National
The National (band)
The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...
. At that time, the duo were known as Riceboy Sleeps.
Their debut album Riceboy Sleeps
Riceboy Sleeps
Jónsi & Alex is an artistic collaboration between Jón Þór Birgisson and his partner Alex Somers. They create ambient music as well as visual art. The music tends to be more ethereal and experimental than that of Sigur Rós.-Visual art:Jónsi & Alex began as a Sigur Rós side project around 2003 under...
was released in Europe on July 20, 2009.
Their song Stokkseyri was featured prominently in the Series Finale
Series finale
A series finale refers to the last installment of a series with a narrative presented through mediums such as television, film and literature. In many Commonwealth countries, the term final episode is commonly used in regards to a television series...
of Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights is a 2004 drama film which documents the coach and players of a high school football team and the Texas city of Odessa that supports and is obsessed with them. The book on which it was based, Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream, was authored by H. G...
.