We had a great show yesterday in Montreal. The brass girls had wireless microphones, which meant they could move much more around than usual. This was especially effective during Declare Your Independence, where the girls formed a half-circle around Björk and danced like fire! It was stunning.
As we were going on stage I remarked to Ragga how far we have come since our first concert in Laugardalshöllin in April. The visual aspect of the show has gradually been transformed by flags, pyrotechnics, lasers, costumes, choreography, etc. And we have gotten a lot better musically. It would be a shame if we didn’t give the people of Iceland a chance to see and hear the difference.
On this leg of the tour I have occasionally experimented with doing yoga. When I have done that, I have felt much calmer on stage. Yesterday I met a yoga teacher who radiated health and wholeness. She does yoga every day. Maybe I should start doing yoga regularly.
We are now almost in New York. Ahead is the last show at present, in Madison Square Garden on Monday and a performance on the Conan O’Brien Show on Thursday. Then: Vacation in Iceland!
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September 22nd, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Sounds like it was awesome!
September 22nd, 2007 at 2:40 pm
I know there was quite a difference visually from Chicago to Atlanta !
The brass girls are so cute and talented and definitely I noticed a difference with their overall comfort level as well as yours between the two cities.
I guess it is like any job. Once you have done it for awhile, you perfect it and become familiar in its rhythm.
Thank you for the blog Jonas. It really has given us an inside glimpse of life on tour! I always look forward to reading what you have to say and film is a bonus. I especially enjoyed the one of all of you waiting to go onstage. It would be fun to see some footage of all of you just hanging around discussing the world on the tour bus!
Have fun with Conan O’Brien. I met him once and he is very funny and much better looking in person. You will probably meet him too as he usually makes it a habit to come in and introduce himself to everyone in the green room before the show.
~lavacoolsme
September 22nd, 2007 at 2:49 pm
*sobs*
September 22nd, 2007 at 4:17 pm
YoudooyogalikeMadonna
LOL
Romain.
September 22nd, 2007 at 5:09 pm
I’m looking forward to seeing ya, the brass girls, and bjork at MSG!
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:10 pm
last nights montreal show was AMAZING!!! I loved the brass girls robotic dance.. i could tell you were all having a blast! thanks for an fantastic show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Jonas, may I echo lavacoolsme in expressing gratitude for taking your time to share your tour experience! Thank you!!
Do you guys have rehearsals frequently in between venues, or do you know the music so well that it is no longer necessary?
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:54 pm
We haven’t had a rehearsal in a long time. We do, on the other hand, have sound checks from time to time.
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Wow have to cath the Brass girls rally on youtube! Gald to show went well and you guys are getting even better. Thats cool your going to try out yoga I know you posted that you meditated and I hope yoga goes well with that. Best Wishes and I hope you rock everybodys socks off in Iceland!
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:47 pm
NYC awaits, so HURRY!!
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Ohhh, a message from BOB! Though I loved Twin Peaks it is too eerie an association with you guys! Hopefully it was not “12″ girls dancing around Bjork. Bikram Yoga….if you ever get into it. The effect is that after you do it, it feels like you have had six massages, taken a sauna, and taken really nice drugs. Any New York teasers?
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Will Björk have a wireless microphone as well? Is it as powerful as the traditional microphone? I remember you mentioning that you have a metronome-like device in your ear to keep everyone on stage on beat. Does Björk have one too?
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Good old BOB! What do you mean by New York teasers?
Actually, I think Björk always uses a wireless microphone.
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:32 pm
And no, she doesn’t have clicks in her ears.
September 22nd, 2007 at 11:12 pm
It was a fantastic show. Thanks to all of you working with Bjork to make this happen. I hope Montreal was as good to you as you were to us. The song Declare Independance really struck a chord with your nationalist fans, including my boyfriend which was cheering like mad at the end of the encore. Language is so important here. The song was particularly fitting. Thank you again!
September 23rd, 2007 at 1:51 am
oh gosh, i hadnt thought about the VOLTA blog coming to an end!
i will miss checkin in with you.
i’m planning to be right in from @ madison sqaure garden, so we will send you off royally!
ALSO, Angelo Badalamenti has announced that the new edition of the TWIN PEAKS soundtrack will be released Oct 23rd!
September 23rd, 2007 at 1:55 am
Who says I’m stopping the Volta Blog? I’m just going on a vacation to Iceland in a bit. The tour will, however, with the blog, endure…
September 23rd, 2007 at 2:39 am
Thanks for Desired Constellation! With you playing….(with make-up!!) gorgeous! One of my favorite songs…..What happened with the delay in Montreal????? How come Santogold came late? Santi seemed discouraged cause of the equipment problem…..but she was great!!! this last song…funny performance! The croud was ready for Bjork!!!!
thanks again! and…good vacation!
it was nice to see you all in mONtréal!
September 23rd, 2007 at 3:32 am
WOW, thanks for the show yesterday in Montreal…i was hypnotized! Nice shirt Jonas!
September 23rd, 2007 at 3:53 am
Yeah, Jonas! Aimee was elated after reading this and yes, the above description of bikram yoga is true!
You need to try it. It is such therapy for the body and soul after so much travel. I don’t think I’d be able to survive the travel without it. We had an amazing class today and it was my 1st time letting go and truly getting Camel! (I know, sounds funny now, but soon you will know what this means!) The music, dance party and good warm vibes last night were even more intense though. Thank you for making us feel so welcome. You are part of a special family… where everyone is so vibrant and full of love. If only everyone in the world was more like that and poured their hearts out and danced the night away. Enjoy NYC. Hope our paths cross again soon.
September 23rd, 2007 at 4:29 pm
All I can say is that I would love to hear the voices of Bjork and Thoth singing in Bethesda Terrace in Central Park in NYC. The accoustics there are wonderful! You have heard of Thoth, right? If anything check him out, he’s usually in the Arcade underneath the Terrace from 3-6pm. (today, the 23rd even! I’m going to try to be there from 2-4:30, I have to work…) He is very talented (I don’t care what David Hasselhoff thinks), he can dance and sing and play the violin all at the same time. And he is a loving being, very unique. I think we’re all on the same mission, artistically. I would love to meet you, too, Jonas
After all, I owe Bjork another taste of delicious music. I would explain that, but it’s a 10 year old story… anyway… ask Bjork if she remembers Chicago 1997, and being the couple of the week. heheh. Anyway, love and welcome to the City. I look forward to Monday, I’ll be there!!! (seat J-3!)
-Derrick
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Travlr1, I read your story about meeting her. Nice record of it from so long ago.
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:54 pm
“NY teasers” does leave alot to the imagination
Teasers are movie trailers or news releases that offer just enough of a glimps into what’s to come to peak the anticipating audiences excitement and interest. Not that we need anything to make us more excited….[Please ignore all subliminal messages forthcoming, (Verandi) just so excited to hear the great concert you will put on (Mouth’s Cradle)….I loved the set list when I saw you at Red Rocks (Pagan Poetry?). The Earth Intruders intro is one of the most invigorating musical experiences of my whole life. I (Hope) Antony is joining you again (My Juvenile)
…Jeez…what’s that under my fingernail…..?
September 23rd, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Wow! Here is DI in Montreal.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LJ5WMhQ05k
The sound quality of the video si not good, but it worth to see it, and the end is great…!
Hey Jonas, tell Björk it would be wonderful if she always sing a song from Debut in the concerts, just one… to remember old times…
I hope you’ll keep playing Desired Constellation, Bachelorette and Undo… they are so emotional, and hearing them live must be a special experience…
I’m sure you all did fantastic in Iceland… Every concert has his own magic.
See you (soon, if enough tickets are sold in Chile, and I think that will happen… almost all the 100 euros tickets are already sold out! I guess it will be soon official! Yupi!!!!)
September 24th, 2007 at 11:03 am
love for everybody, see you tonight!
September 24th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Ah, a concert in Iceland would be a good excuse for me to go there!
September 24th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
vacation in Iceland…oh, how I wish I was tiny enough for you to safely pack me in your suitcase and bring me along with you! mostly for the experience of watching you all perform on your native soil…but also to see the sights.
I’m excited that you have “hinted” at keeping up with this blog…I’m happy to keep reading it! I suppose the next thing to look forward to might be a tour DVD? *fingers crossed*
cheers, jade xo
September 25th, 2007 at 8:15 am
oh wow. “Cover Me” was awesome.
September 25th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Oh how I would’ve loved to be in NY yesterday :’(
If you ever come anywhere nearer my home I’m so going to be there
September 25th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
i had SOOOOOO MUCH FUN last night!
thank you!!!
September 27th, 2007 at 3:13 am
Was it a planned thing or spontaneous spur of the moment that the Wonderbrass formed the circle around Björk during Declare Independence? It is spectacular!