About this project
"... Sunna Gunnlaugs' Trio whose cool atmospherics and meditative quality draws on Icelandic folk melodies and brooding soundscapes, yet internally has an unhurried Bill Evans-like swing and an appetite to explore the inner soul." — Jon Newey, Jazzwise, UK
Long Pair Bond is the name of my upcoming trio album. It's my 7th CD, but the first trio album for me since my debut in 1997. It's going to be released Nov. 11th... that's 11/11/11... at 11:11pm. (I couldn't resist.) But what exactly goes into releasing an album?
Seeing as how I'm an independent artist, which I love (no complaints here), all the responsibility falls on my shoulders. The title "independent artist" in my case translates to "pianist/composer/arranger/manager/promoter/booking agent/travel agent/designer/producer." It's fun, and rewarding, but sometimes doing all those jobs at once is a bit much. And as producer, all the up front expenses come from guess who? Mm hmm.
Here's how you can help. The people at Kickstarter created this wonderful micro-funding platform so that people like you can help people like me get our projects off the ground. You can become a "backer" and get really cool, exclusive rewards (which you can see to the right).
The way it works is that you (via your Amazon account) agree to be charged X amount of dollars if I reach my goal. If I don't reach the goal, I get nada and nobody has to pay anything. So if you do become a backer (or even if you don't) please spread the word about the project. Tweet it, Facebook it, email it, write it on your forehead in magic marker... whatever it takes. I'll be so grateful.
The thing is, this should really be about the music. In fact, in the video above I talk more about the music, so please check that out. You can also hear a few pre-release tracks here:
(P.S. You can click "Share" above to post the player on Facebook, Twitter or anywhere else. If you can't see the player, go to: http://sunnagunnlaugs.bandcamp.com/album/long-pair-bond )
The musicians on the album are drummer Scott McLemore and bassist Þorgrímur Jónsson. It was recorded at the concert hall Salurinn in Kópavogur, Iceland by the brilliant engineer Kjartan Kjartansson.
The album cover is a photo by Rudolf Vlček and the photos from the recording session are by Sigurdór Guðmundsson.
Thanks for stopping by!
FAQ
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on November 11.
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Supporter Package: Digital download of the album with artwork in pdf format + an invite to hang after our show on the London Jazz Festival... if you happen to be in London.
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Super-Listener Package: CD (autographed upon request) in a beautiful 6-panel "eco-wallet" sleeve, plus the previous level.
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Ultra-Fan Package: DVD with behind the scenes footage and interviews, a PDF of extended liner notes and photos from the recording session + all previous levels.
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Distinguished Subscriber Package: Free admission to Sunna's concerts for a year + all previous levels.
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Patron of the Arts Package: Commission an original composition by Sunna for release on an upcoming album, with a mention in that album's liner notes. You'll be famous! + all previous levels.
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Jazz Angel Package: We'll meet for dinner or coffee when I'm in your town (or you in mine), or a Skype chat if a face to face meeting is impossible + all previous levels.
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Bridging the Brooklyn-Reykjavik jazz divide with European elegance and a fiery, New York drive… Icelandic pianist Sunna Gunnlaugs is “proof that jazz is as much a part of the picture as the pop of Björk or SigurRos.” - Time Out New York
Unreleased FREE MP3s and exclusive content are available to subscribers of Sunna’s free newsletter. Sign up via her website or choose from 8 different audio formats at her Bandcamp page.
A recent article in the UK magazine Jazzwise says "Sunna Gunnlaugs' Trio [ ] cool atmospherics and meditative quality draws on Icelandic folk melodies and brooding soundscapes, yet internally has an unhurried Bill Evans-like swing and an appetite to explore the inner soul." — Jon Newey, Jazzwise October 2011.
The Washington Post described her music as possessing “such timeless virtues as lyricism and grace… elegantly bridges soul-searching passages with uncluttered swing.”
Upon her arrival in New York, Gunnlaugs was proclaimed an “impressive newcomer” by the Village Voice. She moved to the city after graduating from William Paterson College in New Jersey in 1996 and remained a Brooklyn resident until 2005 when she returned to Iceland with her husband and drummer, Scott McLemore.
Gunnlaugs has performed throughout the US, Canada and Europe, as well as in Tokyo, Japan, and the six recordings she has released as a leader have consistently met with critical praise over the years. She has appeared in publications such as JazzTimes, Downbeat, Jazz Podium, Concerto, Stereo, Jazzman, Village Voice, Time Out New York, Swing Journal, All About Jazz and The Washington Post.
Her latest album "The Dream" was released on June 16th 2010. It features Loren Stilman on saxophone, Eivind Opsvik on bass and Scott McLemore on drums.
