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What is Bjork doing?
Bjork performs at the Melt! Festival 2008 on July 20, 2008 in Grafenhainichen, Germany.
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China urges restrictions on performers
The government warned foreign performers and entertainers against harming China's sovereignty or ethnic unity, a sign of increasing nervousness over live performances weeks before the Olympic Games.
China is ratcheting up security ahead of the Aug. 8-24 games in an all-out attempt to shield the event from disruptions that could tarnish China's carefully cultivated image of order and control.
Also on Friday, The Shanghai Daily reported that Beijing's airport will close for about four hours during the opening ceremony on Aug. 8. The newspaper did not give a reason for the closure, which will affect dozens of flights.
China should strengthen its rules about foreign performers and performers from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, a notice on the Ministry of Culture's Web site said, including checks on their background.
"The content of the performance should not violate the country's law, including situations that harm the sovereignty of the country," the notice said.
Chinese authorities were alarmed in March after Icelandic singer Bjork shouted "Tibet! Tibet!" at the end of her concert in Shanghai in March.
Authorities said Bjork's outburst "broke Chinese law and hurt Chinese people's feelings," and vowed to be stricter on foreign performers.
The notice said performances should also not harm China's "national security, or incite racial hatred and ruin ethnic unity."
Performers should also not promote pornography and superstition, it said.
The rules were first introduced in 2005, but the notice acts as warning and reinforcement during a sensitive time weeks from the opening of the Olympic Games. Agencies that bring foreign performers to China will be banned for two years if they violate the rules, it said.
Musicians in Beijing have gone into hibernation this summer as live performances have been stopped in bars, a music festival canceled, and clubs suddenly told they need a live performance license.
The government warned foreign performers and entertainers against harming China's sovereignty or ethnic unity, a sign of increasing ne... more -
China targets foreign entertainers after Bjork debacle
"BEIJING (Reuters) - China will ban all entertainers from overseas, Hong Kong and Taiwan who have ever attended activities that "threaten national sovereignty," the government said on Thursday, after an outburst by Icelandic singer Bjork.
Earlier this year, Bjork shouted "Tibet! Tibet!" at a Shanghai concert having performed her song "Declare Independence," which she has used in the past to promote independence movements in other places such as Kosovo.
China has ruled Tibet with an iron hand since its troops marched into the Himalayan region in 1950, and swiftly condemns any challenge to its authority there.
"Any artistic group or individual who have ever engaged in activities which threaten our national sovereignty will not be allowed in," the Ministry of Culture said in a statement on its website ( http://www.ccnt.com.cn ).
During performances, entertainers who "threaten national unity," "whip up ethnic hatred," "violate religious policy or cultural norms" or "advocate obscenity or feudalism and superstition," will also be banned, the rules state.
The new rules come on top of Beijing banning pop festivals and tightening approvals for outdoor events in the months leading up to the Olympics, where it fears security threats from unruly crowds and potential protesters.
Even encores need to be approved in advance, the ministry added.
"Nothing that has not been approved will be allowed to be performed," it said."
"BEIJING (Reuters) - China will ban all entertainers from overseas, Hong Kong and Taiwan who have ever attended activities that "thre... more -
Watch Björk and Sigur Rós' live webcast tonight
Björk and Sigur Rós are the artists headlining Náttúra, tonight's exclusive gig in Reykjavik.
The event will be webcast at http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET (begins at 8 p.m. BST/London or 7 p.m. GMT/Reykjavik).
The Náttúra concert looks to raise awareness of the impact of the growing aluminum smelting activity on Iceland’s natural landscape.
http://current.com/items/88991606_bj_rk_and_sigur_r_s_s...
Björk and Sigur Rós are the artists headlining Náttúra, tonight's exclusive gig in Reykjavik. ... more -
Sergio's White Hot Top 5: Indie Rock
This week Sergio's all like "whatever" as he looks at the Top 5 indie rock videos on Yahoo.
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60 people spontaneously break into Bjork's "Oh So Quiet" in San Francisco
On Saturday, June 7, 2008, about 30 people calling themselves "Public Displays of Musical Affection" began dancing to Bjork's version of the song, "It's Oh So Quiet," in Union Square in San Francisco. The participants, dressed as businessmen, food service employees, messengers, tourists and other people that one would expect to see wandering around Union Square. There was no indication that a performance was about to begin. One person started dancing, and one by one, the other dancers joined her as if they were suddenly inspired to join in. On Saturday, June 7, 2008, about 30 people calling themselves "Public Displays of Musical Affection" began dancing to Bjork's version ... more
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Björk and Sigur Rós stand up for Icelandic environment
Icelandic artists Björk and Sigur Rós will play a concert in Reykjavík on June 28th to raise awareness on environmental issues in Iceland.
"Neither me or Sigur Rós look at ourselves as experts on nature, or as politicians, but we do travel a lot and we believe we know a lot about what image Iceland has abroad, and that we are far behind when it comes to being", says Björk.
"Too often battles being fought for nature turn into something negative and into mudslinging. We will not go that way, we are not saying that this and that is forbidden, we are rather asking "what about all these other possibilites?". The 21st century is not going to be another oil century but rather a century where we need to recycle, think green and design both power plants and our surroundings in harmony with nature."
Icelandic artists Björk and Sigur Rós will play a concert in Reykjavík on June 28th to raise awareness on environmental issues in Icel... more -
Bjork/Antony/Oldham Arranger Nico Muhly Preps LP
In just a little over a quarter century on this earth, Nico Muhly has collaborated with the lofty likes of Philip Glass, Björk, Antony, Will Oldham, the National, Rufus Wainwright, and many others. Which, of course, makes the rest of us mid-twenty-somethings feel both lazy and mildly angry.
In just a little over a quarter century on this earth, Nico Muhly has collaborated with the lofty likes of Philip Glass, Björk, Antony... more -
Watch 'Wanderlust,' Björk's New 3-D Video
If you have a spare pair of 3D glasses handy, you can now see Björk's new video in all its stereoscopic glory.
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Grizzly and Final Fantasy Release “Possibly Maybe”
Ed Droste of Grizzly and Owen Pallett (a.k.a. Final Fantasy) have collaborated and contributed their own fluttering version of "Possibly Maybe" to Stereogum’s brand-new, 12-track "Enjoyed: A Tribute to Björk’s Post" compilation. Reports are that they transformed "Possibly Maybe" into a minimal wonderland of musical twists reminiscent of the late Charles Arthur Russell. They joined covers by other groups, such as Liars, Dirty Projectors, High Places, Bell, Pattern Is Movement, Evangelicals, Xiu Xiu, White Hinterland, El Guincho and Atlas Sound. You can stream or download their MP3 or the entire album from my site, for free. Enjoy it!!
This posting includes a photograph, the free music downloads, a link to the recently published Out.com interview with Ed and Owen, and Bjork's new music video, "Wanderlust." Ed Droste of Grizzly and Owen Pallett (a.k.a. Final Fantasy) have collaborated and contributed their own fluttering version of "Possib... more -
A tribute to Björk
Stereogum gathered the likes of Liars, Xiu Xiu, Final Fantasy and Atlas Sound to pay a unique tribute to Björk's masterpiece "Post" (1995).
The 12-track album is available for free at Stereogum.com
Stereogum gathered the likes of Liars, Xiu Xiu, Final Fantasy and Atlas Sound to pay a unique tribute to Björk's masterpiece "Post" (1... more -
Björk’s “Wanderlust” 3D animated video
From Laughing Squid:
"San Francisco based Encyclopedia Pictura created a wonderful 3D animated music video for the song “Wanderlust”, from Björk’s album Volta. The 2D version of “Wanderlust” premiered today on Yahoo! Video and to prepare for the release of the 3D version of the video on April 14th, you can send in for a pair of 3D glasses."
From Joe Brilliant:
"Whoa bro!" From Laughing Squid: ... more -
Bjork causes a political storm in China
At the end of her performance of "declare independence" Bjork shouted "Tibet! Tibet!" causing the the authorities to step in and tighten controls on who does and does not get to play inside the country.
The performance "not only broke Chinese laws and regulations and hurt the feelings of Chinese people, but also went against the professional code of an artist," were the words of the ministry in a statement quoted by the official Xinhua news agency.
"Any attempt to separate Tibet from China will definitely be opposed by the Chinese people and all righteous men across the world."
Bjork was not phased by the decision and defended her position, "The fact that it has translated to its broadest meaning, the struggle of a suppressed nation, gives me much pleasure. I would like to wish all individuals and nations good luck in their battle for independence."
Is this another PR disaster for the Chinese ahead of the 2008 elections? At the end of her performance of "declare independence" Bjork shouted "Tibet! Tibet!" causing the the authorities to step in and tight... more -
Bjork declares independence for 'Tibet! Tibet!' to Chinese fans
She's unpredictable, and Chinese fans knew that going in to her concert in Shanghai. But when Bjork ended a passionate performance of her song "Declare Independence" by shouting "Tibet! Tibet!", her fans were left feeling "uneasy" and later they made harsh criticisms of her political outburst.
While Chinese state-run media didn't report on her statement, online sites were filled with angry comments about her declaration.
Music has always been a way to express oneself and make political statements. But as she is a visitor in China, what do you think of her decision to cry out for Tibet's freedom? She's unpredictable, and Chinese fans knew that going in to her concert in Shanghai. But when Bjork ended a passionate performance of ... more -
San Diego: Bjorkestra @Anthology 3/12
The colossal eighteen piece orchestra, arranged and conducted by said alto saxophonist and band leader, strives to recreate the emotion of the Icelandic icon's songs on Enjoy!, not simply to replay her music with obvious big band jazz arrangements. The colossal eighteen piece orchestra, arranged and conducted by said alto saxophonist and band leader, strives to recreate the emotio... more
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Bjork is a Big Blue Bear
This is an amazing and beautiful video you all gotta see it. It is delicious...
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Lullabye Baby w/ Sex Drugs and Rock N' Roll?
Rockabye Baby! transforms timeless rock songs into beautiful instrumental lullabies, sending your little one to a slumberland of sweet dreams. Delicate instruments such as the glockenspiel, vibraphone, mellotron, harp and bells create a soothing atmosphere of sound. These charming recordings are sophisticated enough for everyone to enjoy, yet gentle enough for your little angel. This is cherub rock for a new generation.
Includes music by Metallica, Nirvana, Radiohead, Bjork..and more Rockabye Baby! transforms timeless rock songs into beautiful instrumental lullabies, sending your little one to a slumberland of sweet... more -
Bjork Attacks, Again
You'd think that after seeing the footage of Bjork unleashing on that photographer 12 years ago that the paparazzi would learn... If Bjork says no, then don't take photos of her. She attacked another photographer in New Zealand over the weekend, reportedly tearing his shirt in half. You'd think that after seeing the footage of Bjork unleashing on that photographer 12 years ago that the paparazzi would learn... If B... more
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Björk Has One
The reactable is a collaborative electronic music instrument with a tabletop tangible multi-touch interface, a.k.a a sick music instrument that you thought only existed in the future. The reactable is a collaborative electronic music instrument with a tabletop tangible multi-touch interface, a.k.a a sick music instru... more
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