Bjork Biography 

Icelandic singer songwriter Bjork is one of the most commercially successful experimental artists of our time. Accruing thirteen Grammy nominations, one Oscar nod, and two Golden Globe noms, Bjork has been a part of the music scene for over thirty years.

Bjork Guðmundsdóttir, known popularly as Bjork, was born November 21, 1965 in Reykjavík, Iceland. Learning the piano at eleven years old, she was well on her way to beginning a music career.

After her music teacher recorded her singing “I Love to Love” by Tina Charles, the demo was sent to Iceland’s sole radio station, RÚV. Liking what they heard, they played the track nationally. And it wasn’t long before record company Fálkinn took notice.

Signed and offered a recording contract with the company, Bjork’s self-titled debut album was released in 1977.

At age fourteen, she began indulging in punk, forming the band Spit and Snot followed by the jazz inspired Exodus in 1979.

One year later and already a budding artist, she graduated from music school. After many more band shakeups, she finally had a winning group combination in The Sugarcubes. Surprising everyone (including the band), the outfit became a success in England with their single “Birthday.”

Solidifying their status as a cult sensation, they repeatedly refused deals with major labels. 1988 brought their first album, Life’s Too Good. By 1992, however, the band amicably went their separate ways, and Bjork moved to London where she pursued a solo career.

Her first solo project was 1993’s aptly titled Debut. Receiving an unexpected commercial outpouring of success, the album was certified platinum in the United States.

She followed with Post in 1995. Another experimental project for the always inventive Bjork, Post was not only showered with critical praise, but it too was certified platinum.

1997 brought Homogenic, a dark departure from her previous works. Thom Yorke, of the popular band Radiohead, has cited the track “Unravel” as his all-time favorite song. Considered perhaps her truest artistic vision, the album sold well enough to reach gold status by 2001. Five years later, it joined the ranks of her other platinum endeavors.

2000 was another hallmark year for Bjork as she appeared in the Lars Von Trier film Dancer in the Dark opposite Catherine Deneuve, David Morse, and Peter Stormare. Also contributing to the soundtrack, Bjork co-wrote and recorded Selmasongs. The album earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Music, Original Song.

It was her acting, however, that also won her praise. Winning best actress at the Cannes Film Festival, she was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress.

It was not her first foray into acting, though, as she made her onscreen debut in the 1990 film The Juniper Tree.

Back on the music front, Vespertine was her 2001 release, and although it produced three singles, it also engendered controversy. The video for “Pagan Poetry” in particular had nudity, graphic piercing, and implicated sexual acts.

Medúlla followed in 2004 and Volta came in 2007, both of which charted and sold well. On the latter, production was aided by Antony Hegarty, Sjon, and Timbaland.

Bjork is also known for penning “Bedtime Story” for Madonna’s 1994 R&B inspired release Bedtime Stories.

In her personal life, Bjork is involved with longtime boyfriend and contemporary artist Matthew Barney. They welcomed their first child on October 3, 2002.

She also had a son on June 8, 1986 with band mate Thor Eldon.

Bjork also found herself in the news in 1996 when a deranged fan, Ricardo Lopez, sent an acid bomb to Bjork’s address. Lopez videotaped himself making the bomb and subsequently committing suicide in a ritualistic way. The bomb was intercepted by police and never received by Bjork.