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12"
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MORR 160EP
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12" version. Includes download code. For White Sun Live. Part I: Strings, Jófríður Ákadóttir has re-recorded some of the finest songs from her bands and solo-projects (JFDR, Samaris, Pascal Pinon) with new string arrangements. These versions have a simple, inherent beauty that is juxtaposed with their seething, stark intensity. To replace the original arrangements with strings was originally planned as a one-off event: When preparing a Pascal Pinon performance in Portugal, Jófríður asked NYC-based composer Ian Davis to help her re-arrange four tracks. After the show Jófríður realized that the material deserved to be captured. The featured songs were chosen from the repertoire of JFDR (her solo project) and Pascal Pinon (the duo she forms with her sister Ásthildur). There was no objective selection criteria: "I chose the songs that called for strings, songs that I was interested in continuing their story", Jófríður says. "Making this EP was meant to cast new light onto old bodies, to explore what is song and what is arrangement". Indeed, the arrangements establish a fresh perspective on the selected songs (except for "My Work" -- as the track will appear on a forthcoming JFDR album). Being freed from genre, these versions also expose JFDR's voice and its dynamics -- the absence of beats gives her vocal performance new possibilities. The EP was recorded live in a studio in Reykjavík, where Jófríður was joined by producer Albert Finnbogason, her sister Ásthildur (additional vocals and piano) and a string quintet. Ian Davis also made it to the recording sessions and brought two new transcriptions: "I wanted to have moments of clear simplicity juxtaposed with more dense, experimental passages. Sometimes the strings are just holding root notes and simple chords and other times they open up into more contrapuntal and textural moments", Ian explains. As a result, you'll find both moments of modest beauty as well as intensely seething passages. Even if Jófríður's voice clearly is the main attraction here, this EP -- as she emphasizes herself -- is a collective work of those involved: "Trusting your collaborators is the truest gift".
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CD
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MORR 160CD
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For White Sun Live. Part I: Strings, Jófríður Ákadóttir has re-recorded some of the finest songs from her bands and solo-projects (JFDR, Samaris, Pascal Pinon) with new string arrangements. These versions have a simple, inherent beauty that is juxtaposed with their seething, stark intensity. To replace the original arrangements with strings was originally planned as a one-off event: When preparing a Pascal Pinon performance in Portugal, Jófríður asked NYC-based composer Ian Davis to help her re-arrange four tracks. After the show Jófríður realized that the material deserved to be captured. The featured songs were chosen from the repertoire of JFDR (her solo project) and Pascal Pinon (the duo she forms with her sister Ásthildur). There was no objective selection criteria: "I chose the songs that called for strings, songs that I was interested in continuing their story", Jófríður says. "Making this EP was meant to cast new light onto old bodies, to explore what is song and what is arrangement". Indeed, the arrangements establish a fresh perspective on the selected songs (except for "My Work" -- as the track will appear on a forthcoming JFDR album). Being freed from genre, these versions also expose JFDR's voice and its dynamics -- the absence of beats gives her vocal performance new possibilities. The EP was recorded live in a studio in Reykjavík, where Jófríður was joined by producer Albert Finnbogason, her sister Ásthildur (additional vocals and piano) and a string quintet. Ian Davis also made it to the recording sessions and brought two new transcriptions: "I wanted to have moments of clear simplicity juxtaposed with more dense, experimental passages. Sometimes the strings are just holding root notes and simple chords and other times they open up into more contrapuntal and textural moments", Ian explains. As a result, you'll find both moments of modest beauty as well as intensely seething passages. Even if Jófríður's voice clearly is the main attraction here, this EP -- as she emphasizes herself -- is a collective work of those involved: "Trusting your collaborators is the truest gift".
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LP
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WSR 001LP
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LP version. Includes printed inner sleeve and download code. JFDR - the latest project from young and prolific Icelandic songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jófríður Ákadóttir (Samaris, Pascal Pinon, Gangly) - releases her debut solo full-length album Brazil, through her own label White Sun Records. Brazil was recorded in New York in 2016 and co-produced by legendary multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily (Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed, Tom Waits, Yoko Ono, etc.) Brazil sees a blend of cyclical guitar parts, soft minimal soundscapes, and poetic wanderings of a journey that ends where it began. Drawing from classical, folk, and electronic backgrounds, JFDR amalgamates the sounds of changing seasons, her voice a current that moves through rough seas to smooth waters. But perhaps JFDR shines the most in her capacity as a wordsmith, employing rich imagery to evoke the subtle emotions embedded in each song. Björk is featured in the Guardian as selecting JFDR as one of her artist inspirations: "I got obsessed with her band Samaris a few years ago, and then it was amazing to see her do her own stuff." The beautifully shot black and white video for "Airborne" was created by Timothée Lambrecq with direction from Jófríður. " 'Airborne' was one of the first songs Shahzad and I recorded in New York," says Jófríður. "One afternoon I confessed I had never played with a drummer before, so Shahzad immediately called up his friend, Liturgy drummer Greg Fox. After an hour or so of intense Casio wailing and Greg drumming so fast it was borderline droning, it was suggested that Greg had a go at this track we'd recorded earlier that day, a half written song named 'Airborne'. It took about 10 minutes, Greg nailed it. The result is this half-programmed, half-live drum performance, carefully but effortlessly stitched together by Shahzad, merged with my fragile piano break up ballad. The track was later blessed by De La Soul's Maseo who stopped by the studio and listened. He said it was dope." "Airborne" follows the video for the evocatively atmospheric and mesmerizing "White Sun", directed by Brendan Canty. Comes in an inner sleeve with artwork.
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CD
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WSR 001CD
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JFDR - the latest project from young and prolific Icelandic songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jófríður Ákadóttir (Samaris, Pascal Pinon, Gangly) - releases her debut solo full-length album Brazil, through her own label White Sun Records. Brazil was recorded in New York in 2016 and co-produced by legendary multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily (Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed, Tom Waits, Yoko Ono, etc.) Brazil sees a blend of cyclical guitar parts, soft minimal soundscapes, and poetic wanderings of a journey that ends where it began. Drawing from classical, folk, and electronic backgrounds, JFDR amalgamates the sounds of changing seasons, her voice a current that moves through rough seas to smooth waters. But perhaps JFDR shines the most in her capacity as a wordsmith, employing rich imagery to evoke the subtle emotions embedded in each song. Björk is featured in the Guardian as selecting JFDR as one of her artist inspirations: "I got obsessed with her band Samaris a few years ago, and then it was amazing to see her do her own stuff." The beautifully shot black and white video for "Airborne" was created by Timothée Lambrecq with direction from Jófríður. " 'Airborne' was one of the first songs Shahzad and I recorded in New York," says Jófríður. "One afternoon I confessed I had never played with a drummer before, so Shahzad immediately called up his friend, Liturgy drummer Greg Fox. After an hour or so of intense Casio wailing and Greg drumming so fast it was borderline droning, it was suggested that Greg had a go at this track we'd recorded earlier that day, a half written song named 'Airborne'. It took about 10 minutes, Greg nailed it. The result is this half-programmed, half-live drum performance, carefully but effortlessly stitched together by Shahzad, merged with my fragile piano break up ballad. The track was later blessed by De La Soul's Maseo who stopped by the studio and listened. He said it was dope." "Airborne" follows the video for the evocatively atmospheric and mesmerizing "White Sun", directed by Brendan Canty. Comes in an inner sleeve with artwork.
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