Chapter 1: Introduction to Björk's Artistic Journey

Björk Guðmundsdóttir, widely known as Björk, is an iconic Icelandic artist whose career spans over 40 years. Renowned for her distinctive sound, she blends a variety of musical styles such as electronic, pop, experimental, classical, and avant-garde. With nearly 40 million records sold globally, it's evident that her impact on the music scene is profound and far-reaching.

This week, Mailchimp Presents and Talkhouse are excited to announce the debut of "Björk: Sonic Symbolism." This new podcast, created and hosted by Björk herself, offers an intimate look into the intricate textures, timbres, and emotional landscapes that influenced the making of her albums.

The series will delve into each of her significant works—from 1993's "Debut" to "Post," "Homogenic," "Vespertine," "Medúlla," "Volta," "Biophilia," "Vulnicura," and "Utopia." Each episode will focus on a specific album, illuminating not just the creative inspirations behind them, but also the life experiences that shaped their creation.

In engaging conversations with her friends—philosopher and writer Oddný Eir and musicologist Ásmundur Jónsson—Björk will share untold stories, providing listeners with a glimpse into her ongoing creative process that continually pushes the boundaries of music.

Björk explains, "When asked about the differences in my albums, I often resort to visual shortcuts. That's why my album covers resemble homemade tarot cards. Each image encapsulates the sound of the album, reflecting its mood through color, texture, and posture. This concept could be termed sonic symbolism, capturing the emotions and phases of life that align with the three-year cycle of album creation."

The initial three episodes of "Björk: Sonic Symbolism" will be released on Thursday, September 1st, featuring insights into "Debut," "Post," and "Homogenic." Subsequent episodes will be released weekly, each ranging from 40 to 50 minutes, continuing through October 13th.

To hear a preview, check out the first trailer of the podcast.

"As the founder of Talkhouse Creative Studio, it's an incredible honor to collaborate with Björk to share her stories," states Ian Wheeler. "We are immensely grateful to her and to Oddný Eir, Ásmundur Jónsson, Christian Koons, Anna Gyða, and Derek Birkett, along with our partners at Mailchimp, for their essential contributions to this project."

Sarita Alami, Director of Programming at Mailchimp Studios, adds, "Björk is an endless source of inspiration, and we're thrilled to help manifest her vision for this podcast. We hope that listeners—dreamers, creatives, and entrepreneurs—find the spark they need to ignite their next big idea."

Additionally, on Wednesday, August 31st, Björk will be featured in the concluding episode of "Listening," another podcast by Mailchimp Presents and Talkhouse. This series explores how innovative musicians interpret and transform their surroundings into unique compositions, allowing audiences to experience specific moments in their lives.

In light of her activism, it's worth noting that Björk recently canceled a concert in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

The potential of this podcast is twofold: the surprises that Björk may reveal and the invaluable insights she can provide into the creative process.

Chapter 2: Insights into Sonic Symbolism

This video features Björk's "Notget" performance at the Cornucopia Perth festival on March 3, 2023, showcasing her innovative artistry and unique musical expression.