Show Notes
Music production is still very much a boys’ club. In fact, a 2018 USC Annenberg study revealed that only 2 percent of music producers and 3 percent of audio engineers are women.
But if you think it’s tough now, imagine what it was like 20 or 30 years ago — when Björk was making music. Although she took a very active role in producing her records, she often didn't receive full credit for her work.
That’s why I want to spend some time with a record that shows Björk's painstaking attention to detail as a producer: Vespertine. My sister Natalie and I will examine it in detail to show why Björk isn’t just a talented vocalist or composer, but a pioneer in music production.
Enjoying Bjork Unravelled? Support the show with a one-time donation (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8RAFVQKASALSQ) or a monthly donation on Anchor. Every dollar will help me keep the show alive!
More from Björk Unravelled
Remixes are an integral part of Björk's discography. Think about it: she has multiple remix albums — including Telegram (which remixes Post), Voltaic: The Volta Mixes, and Bastards (which remixes Biophilia).
In 2022 Björk released her 10th studio album. Considering how many artists have stopped after five or fewer, it’s a big accomplishment. But it’s even more significant when you consider how experimental Björk's records have been, especially after Homogenic.
En una entrevista en 2016 con Another Magazine, Bjork dijo: “...alguien hizo una encuesta online sobre dónde estaban mis fans... ¡y aparentemente mi típico fan es un chico gay mexicano de 20 años! ¡Me sentí muy orgullosa!”
In a 2016 interview with Another Magazine Björk said: “...some guy did an online survey of where my fans were… and apparently my typical fan is a 20-year-old Mexican gay guy! I was really proud!”
Bjork's shrieks, rasps, and growls… are what make her voice her own. But they also have consequences on her long-term vocal health.