For the first time in Europe, in 2007 the AB brought the Icelandic BEDROOM COMMUNITY collective to Belgium (during Domino) and The Netherlands (for Motel Mozaique). The result: the revelation of a beautiful, musically like-minded â but, individually, considerably varied â family that crosses borders both musically and territorially. The label was established in 2006 and now has 5 releases, which rest musically at the meeting point of songwriter-ship, classical music and electronica. AB has been following since the start and invites them back time and time again. However, for the first time, AB now presents the musical family in its entirety, with a programme containing:
Valgeir Sigurdsson (Icel.) - Producer and musician VALGEIR SIGURĂSSON has helped considerably to establish the Icelandic music scene over past decades. He's been running his now renowned Greenhouse Studios since â97 and has recorded fine albums from the likes of Björk, Sigur RĂłs, MĂșm, CocoRosie and Bonnie âPrinceâ Billy there. His impressive and loudly acclaimed debut: âEkvĂlibrĂumâ.
Ben Frost (Aus.) - BEN FROST lives in Iceland, but was born in Australia. He works closely with V. SigurĂ°sson, has previously written for film and dance productions. On Bedroom Community he released âTheory Of Machinesâ. An album that flirts with the electronica of Fennesz but also, say, the industrial aspects of The Swans. âBy The Throatâ is soon to be released, with collaboration from the likes of Amiina, Jeremy Gara (The Arcade Fire), Nico Muhly and Swedish metal band Crowpath.
Nico Muhly (US) - American pianist/composer Nico Muhly has previously worked with Antony and the Johnsons (including âThe Crying Lightâ) and Philip Glass. He could be heard on Björk's âMedĂșllaâ and helped her to arrange the score for Matthew Barneyâs film âDrawing Restraint 9â. He also arranged the strings on âThe Letting Goâ by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. Two albums have already been released on Bedroom Community: âSpeaks Volumesâ and âMothertongueâ. Recent release was his soundtrack for âThe Readerâ, with Kate Winslet in the lead.
Sam Amidon (US) - Rolling Stone Magazine once wrote these fine words about troubadour Sam Amidon: "In an era of overheated Nick Drake comparisons, Amidon is eerily close to the reel thing, singing in a fragile but certain tenor against the deep breath and soft sweep of Nico Muhlyâs orchestrations." This âman with the banjoâ was already convincing with his BC-release âAll Is Wellâ. Once you've seen the man live, you're certain to be sold.
Ben Frost - âBlackâ
Nico Muhly â 'It Goes Without Saying'