Björk's 2002 Vespertine-era interview with Verity Sharp, on BBC4's Talk Show special, 29 August 2002. I don't own the copyright. This is for nonprofit, educational purposes only. Thanks to BjörkFTP for the video.
This interview is so good. It really showcases how intelligent Björk is, rather than the interviewer just pointing out how "weird" she is or patronizing her.
Birta R The BBC are good at doing one thing and that is treating people the same. It's part of their image and it works even if some of the other news reporting done can seem a bit propagandist.
Birta R i know, i hated those earlier interviews she did in the 1990s where they only asked her like "what do u do in iceland" and focused on her origin rather than her actual art.
For 12 years, this interviewer used to present a weekly show on BBC Radio 3 called Here & Now, which played an eclectic mix of avant-garde classical, experimental rock and world music. She knows her music!
It's interesting to see that there are a number of comments about the 'pimples' on the interviewer's face...some people are so superficial and negative. The woman was a good interviewer - that is what is important... As always Bjork was fascinating to listen to. (Especially the part about electricity).
I could listen to bjork's honest, unfiltered and pure sharing of herself for hours and i'm so glad to see that in this interview she wasnt pummelled with insipid questions like so often we see, but you can clearly see that the interviewer respected her, and it flowed more like a natural conversation, like a stream or any natural occurrence.... not just a drilling for information or hunt for a big scoop. Very enjoyable
The interviewer was great because she understood Byork's passions. With Byork's intellect she is easily bored by shallow questions and shuts down. This woman tapped into the things that fascinate this genius and the interview flowed beautifully.
What a fantastic programme. Starts with a quick hello that leads straight into Bjork's introduction. No time wasted at the start like interviewers normally have. Then they talk. Then she wraps it up by wishing her the very best. Then simply says "that's all from me, Verity Sharp, goodnight." End. The amount of insincere interviews you get where the host indulgences himself with a long beginning, tries to make himself look cool with cheap jokes or chipping in his own thoughts. This programme does none of that, nor does it waste any time at all. 100% devoted to Bjork and what Bjork wants to say. Even the outro is Bjork's music. Doesn't surprise me this is BBC really, although there's a lot people can criticise about it, they do tend to deliver quality programmes.
Excellent interview, possibly my favorite Björk one. Björk fascinates and amazes me so much and the interviewer did a great job. Unlike with most of Björk's interviews, where the interviewers are being unprofessional and try to make fun of her or ask her irrelevant questions that have nothing to do with her work.
I don't really think that they are trying to make fun of her if you are talking about the type of talk shows that want to amuse instead of to inform. They want to have fun WITH her, like they do with all their guests. And she's happy to give tham what they want because she has a wicked sense of humor and she's so adorable that she is impossible to dislike.
That moment when Bjork is the most beautiful form of existence in the history of all living things. So full of love and vulnerability. If I had to choose, I'd want to be like her
Bjork inspires me every single day. Such a fascinating person. Great interview she was actually allowed to put her points across and you tell she felt relaxed and comfortable in the interviewer's company.
I love every Björk album like my children haha so it's hard to pick a favorite, but I feel the one I connect the most with is Vespertine, it's such a masterpiece , every song from Hidden Place-Unison is just perfect. If you're in need of Warmth, Comfort, Welcoming atmosphere and Beautiful Beats and lyrics + An amazing voice, Vespertine is the album for you, but this album also requires patience and an open mind.
Listening to her always gives me the feeling she is some kind of altruistic goodness goddess. The kind that spreads love, peace and happiness to everything alive wherever she goes... Yes, yes, I know, we need all sorts of people to make the world go round. Yet, I cannot help but believe the world would be a better place if we were all a bit more Björkish.
Really? I found her very genuine and interested.. she stepped back and let Bjork lead the conversation and prompted pretty general questions that Bjork could do anything with. Better than an overly zealous and fake interviewer, putting Bjork on the defense (which i've seen in Bjork interviews before) ;)
POST, Army of Me, brutally contrasted by the following It's Oh So Quiet, certainly got my attention and blew me away gasping! Then I saw the illuminated genius :) True To Her Spirit! (just like Morrison) :)
loved the electricity note, on the nervous system in response to the view that technology is alienating- it transfigured my thoughts upon technological aspects.. and also becoming each other's school and skeleton in lifelong relationships near the end definitely a respectful informed interview. thanks for posting, sometimes I think I'd seen all the interviews, but this one is one of the more enriching and thought provoking ones. takk fyrir!
She is able to express so many ideas an feeligs, not only through her music, but also the way she articulate her thoughts in conversations like this...It shows how smart this woman is. She must have been a very avid reader.
"They have a period in their life where they, uh, break out of their families and they meet like minded people and where they become each others school and share ideas and that becomes like their blueprint for life... You become each other's skeleton or something for life." 24:27
Often I will watch a Björk interview and she blows my mind with her insightful intelligence. She possesses a truly brilliant mind. Also, I LOVE her boots!
I found this is the best Bjork's interview I saw, up to now. I appreciate the genuinity of my favourite singer and the professionalism of the interviewer: in that I agree to many other comments I see. Landed here through Bjork's FB. P.S. Bjork's Englandic accent, so particular, let me understand almost everithing! THX so much!
A fine line between genius and insanity. Bjork is more on the side of genius, especially when you hear her explain things that are well thought out and make sense.
One of the few best interview with Bjork. The interviewer was really informed about her life and it seems she has musical knowledge, at least as a fan of music.
Impeccable timing from Bjork in sharing this video this morning. For what I project in my artistry in what is not defined as art, even yet I bleed it, my online friends, and people that are looking to help and open up to their own... I can't verbalize it to them, but I can share this video which I think will help a lot of people.
Thank you so much for posting. Words can never convey how much I admire this woman. So lucky to be alive and watch her grow as an artist. Love the foreshadowing of the frustrated music teacher... Biophilia. She is a beautiful genius ❤
It scares me how much I identify with what she's saying around 7:20, the bit about 'playing foreigners music.' As a performer, I always felt trapped by what the composer had set out as their imagining of their music. I hated playing music. My disdain for these restrictions drove me to compose myself. Björk knows what's up!!
She said Homogenic and Vespertine are like opposite twin brothers so I would say both belong to the Gemini archetype but I definitely see the cancer side :-)
i really like this interview. i learnt a lot from Bjork throught this interview and of course through her music. she is such an intelligent and inspirational person, i love her.
this Video was actually by honestly & generally her social solution was closed & does figure it out in second making every coinsurance to how she keeper life career .
i personality of the 100% look to my visual like to support Bjork because probably it's obsessed by naturally commitment or whatever it's very enough i though i will celebrate to this world for her as iconic producer for backward story
Fascinating how she still is that little child with producing it's typical (singing) sounds. Like she stood intact while others hat to function and had their string cut...that means their itegrity with their own root or even what we look at being just idiotic or childish behavior.
