How an Icelandic post-rock band built a career on invented languages and bowed guitars
In short: Formed in Reykjavik in 1994, Sigur Rós became global icons of ethereal sound. By blending classical elements with Jónsi Birgisson’s signature falsetto and cello-bowed guitar, they created a unique sonic landscape. Their music, often sung in an invented language called Vonlenska, has transcended traditional pop, finding its way into cinema and television worldwide.
Sigur Rós was founded in January 1994 by Jón Þór 'Jónsi' Birgisson, Georg Hólm, and Ágúst Ævar Gunnarsson. The band’s name, meaning 'Victory Rose,' was inspired by Jónsi’s younger sister, Sigurrós, who was born just days before the group’s inception. Their early trajectory was defined by a desire to experiment with sound, eventually incorporating the unique, non-linguistic vocalizations they termed Vonlenska—or Hopelandic—which mimics the phonology of Icelandic without carrying semantic meaning. This approach invites listeners to project their own interpretations onto the music, a concept famously encouraged by the blank pages included in the booklet of their 2002 album, ( ).
The band’s international breakthrough arrived with their second studio album, 1999’s Ágætis byrjun. Its reputation grew organically through word of mouth, eventually earning praise from high-profile artists like David Bowie, Radiohead, and Coldplay. A defining feature of their sound during this era was Jónsi’s innovative use of a cello bow on his electric guitar, which created the band's characteristic reverb-heavy, ethereal texture. While Kjartan Sveinsson, who joined in 1998, provided formal musical training and orchestral arrangements, the band’s aesthetic remained rooted in a blend of minimalism and classical influences.
Beyond their studio work, Sigur Rós has maintained a deep connection to their Icelandic homeland, notably documented in the 2007 film Heima. This documentary captured a series of free, surprise concerts held in unconventional locations like abandoned bunkers. Throughout their career, the band has navigated shifts in sound, from the ambient, introverted nature of 2012’s Valtari to the more aggressive, rock-oriented structure of 2013’s Kveikur. Despite lineup changes, including the departure of Kjartan Sveinsson in 2013, the band has remained a significant cultural force, with their music appearing in diverse media ranging from the film Vanilla Sky to the television series Game of Thrones.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Sigur Rós
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