Few questions scare an intrepid rock critic. But “What does Sigur Ros sound like?” might be one of them.
Here’s my attempt at an answer: Sigur Ros is a psychedelic rock band, sans the pretentious swagger. Sigur Ros is an ambient pop group, delightful instead of druggy. Sigur Ros is originality incarnate.
The Icelandic band last played in Denver to a packed Paramount Theater, but this time around the group is taking on a venue that was seemingly made for its illuminating epics: Red Rocks. Most of the band’s smaller U.S. shows are sold out, but because Saturday’s Red Rocks show still has plenty of tickets left, The Denver Post scored a rare interview with founding bass player Georg Holm.
Q: What’s it like for you to play as a band unit — and not be touring with the strings?
A:It’s been fun so far, but it’s a very different experience. The first shows as a four-piece were last month in Europe. Maria from Amiina, who has played with us for seven years, was in the audience at the show in Dresden, Germany, and she suddenly realized that it was the first time she had ever seen Sigur Ros play live!
Q:I’ve only seen you play as a collective. Tell me about how the show differs, because I would guess that the band-only performances would be less of a wall of sound, but I’m reading reviews that say you are still quite loud and impressive.
A: I guess we play a little harder to compensate for the (lack of) other musicians. It’s rawer.
Q:You’re playing Red Rocks in Colorado — a big venue and a gorgeous one. Do you have anything special or unique planned for the show?
A: No, not really. We are actually without our regular lighting guy at the moment. He got sick with pneumonia in New York after the first show and had to go home. So we now have a technician who, until New York, had never seen us play before operating our lights. It’s really weird. But there is an outside chance that Freysi will be back in time for Denver and we will be at full speed again by then. It’s also a new show — the video is back, and there are some other interesting things going on, as well.
Q:I have a couple of questions about a pair of documentaries, starting with “Heima,” the documentary on your band and your recent Icelandic tour. When you watched “Heima” for the first time, what moment stood out to you?
A: Nothing stood out. When we first watched it, we thought it was terrible. It took a long time to get it where it is now.
Q:What was your goal in making the movie?
A: We simply wanted to document the show as it was at that time. We also wanted to tour Iceland again like we did in 1999, so we combined the two things and made a film about it. But overall there was no real goal. We just developed an idea over time.
Q:It appeared that, outside of the musical intentions, you also wanted to show off your beautiful homeland — and give back to the people of Iceland. Is that right?
A: I think the people of Iceland decided we were “giving back,” rather than us. It’s just how it turned out because all of the concerts were free, and that attracted lots of different people who wouldn’t otherwise come to a Sigur Ros show. And of course not many bands tour Iceland these days. The weather was also kind to us. The combination of these things resulted in a film that shows Iceland to be a very beautiful place.
Q:Talking about another documentary, in the Pixies film “Loud Quiet Loud,” there’s an awkward scene featuring the Pixies and their visit to Iceland and, in turn, your studio. It appeared to be a weird meeting, but things aren’t always natural on film. Can you talk about that experience?
A:That was Orri . . . I don’t think he thought it was weird. He’s a man of few words and was just being friendly. But I know what you mean. It was quite funny on film.
Q: I was a fan of the inclusion of “Staralfur” in Wes Anderson’s “The Life Aquatic.” Were you pleased with the way the song was used in the film?
A:Yes, definitely. We don’t do many of these things, but we all like his work. They sent someone who was close to the film all the way to Iceland to show us the scene.
Q: Your music is quite cinematic in scope. Does it make sense to you that people want to score their films with your songs?
A: Yes, it makes sense, but some people’s idea of how our music should work to film isn’t always in line with our own.
Q:And what do you have planned for when you’re done touring the new record? Another album? Any film or multimedia projects?
A: 2009 seems like a long way off at the moment when you are in the middle of a tour. We’ll take some time off, but we already have a few ideas of what we’ll be working on next year — both audio and visual.
Ricardo Baca: 303-954-1394 or rbaca@denverpost.com
