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GusGus sarcasm!

Интервью · 01.05.2007

By 44100Hz

44100hz and the radio programme Electroshock continue to tell the stories of the heroes of the world electronic scene. This time the host and DJ Ruslan Sever managed to have a phone conversation with the well-known musician and provocateur Stephan Stephenson, or, as he also calls himself — Alfred Moe, or President Bongo, or President Penis.

The Icelandic electro-soul project GusGus is one of the most unusual musical formations, and all the more so its member Stephan Stephenson, who now performs as a DJ on behalf of GusGus. "If house were a state, then you know who would be its president", he boldly declares of himself.

Hi! We know a little about the history of GusGus... is it true that the band was created to make a film in Reykjavik about swingers?

Yes, you could put it that way.

When you write music, do you think systematically? I mean, do you use a main plot, a beginning, a development and an ending?

No, we never do it that way, we follow our feelings and our everyday states of mind. Although our emotions also have a beginning, a main plot, a middle and an end.

In your work one often senses sexual undertones? The name GusGus is also connected with sex — what does it mean?

Yes, well spotted. Our name comes from a German film that's directly connected with sex.

So what does it actually mean, then?

It doesn't mean anything special.

And what's the film about?

A film about an old woman who tries to sleep with a young guy.

How did it happen that, having initially focused on the art of cinema, you moved on to making music?

We had no other choice, we simply followed our mood and followed our life.

Life led you to music?

Yes, life led us to it...

GusGus music video for the song "Moss"

How do you think the future of electronic music looks?

I think the future of electronic music has always been hopeful, ever since the days of Kraftwerk, who to this day haven't lost their relevance...

What music are you listening to now, and which of the recent releases struck you the most?

My consciousness is influenced by the music we create ourselves. As a DJ I listen to a lot of techno and, probably, that influences me to some degree too. It's hard for me to name specific names.

Tell us about the GusGus team. How do you work together and what are your relations really like?

What unites us is that we all live in Reykjavik, but besides GusGus we have other occupations too, which is why we spend a lot of time recording a single album. We don't meet every day, but when it does happen, we always feel pleasant and cosy with one another. Relations in the group are good and cheerful; I think we'll keep working together until we get bored.

Why did your first album become so popular?

That question isn't for me; it should probably be put to the people who bought our album.

And which work, in your view, is the most successful?

In my opinion, it's the album we're working on right now. And in general I hope that all our latest albums will be successful.

You know, in 2003 your track "David" was very popular in Russia. What can you tell us about the new album "Forever"?

Work on this album took a long time; we recorded it in a year, and then it waited a long while for its release. On top of that, at the time we were busy setting up our own label, and that kept us from immersing ourselves fully in the music. In the end I'm pleased with how it turned out — it's a long, rich album. And to be honest, I'm already glad simply that it exists.

GusGus music video for the song "David"