User:Cubicon/Bouvetøya

Bouvetøya Bouvetøya are a studio based electronic instrumental band, formed in 2001 by Michael Jones and are based in the Irish Republic. They have recorded six albums to date, the latest being 1961 which will be released at the end of November 2010. The band took its name from the Norwegian name for Bouvet Island; the most remote island in the world.

Musical Style and Themes Much of Bouvetøya’s music are soundscapes comprising of repetitive themes and expanding that theme through the song’s duration, often changing genre or tempo several times. Many of their releases have been concept albums, often exploring such diverse subjects as social and political change, the polar regions, exodus, and sociopaths. Their 2003 release Reflexion (now unavailable) paid homage to 1968 as a year of social and political change. Using samples of news reports and commentaries from the day covering such events as the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King; student and civil rights riots; and the Russian invasion of the former Czechoslovakia – this was intermingled with a wide variety of musical themes and styles. However, due to complications achieving copyright release for all the samples used, the commercial release was postponed. Their latest release 1961 uses the volcanic eruption and evacuation of the island of Tristan da Cunha as the backdrop for their most recent project. Their previous release Bi/Polar was more ambient and experimental, and dealt with the harsh reality of exploring the north and south Atlantic regions. Their cited influences include Boards of Canada, Future Sound of London, Tangerine Dream, and Wendy Carlos among others. Sounds and Methods Bouvetøya mainly use analog synthesizers, early digital sound modules, and early samplers to produce their music. The piano and flute are mainstream orchestral sounds that they are also particularly fond of. The sounds of the sea are also a recurring trademark.

Availability They have remained an independent artist since formation, and their music is exclusively available through unsigned music distributor CD Unsigned. Their first three albums are no longer available, but some tracks were re-recorded and included on their 2009 Introspexion compilation EP release.

Discography

•	Two (2001) •	Reflexion (2003) •	Life is More Interesting When You’re Deranged (2005) •	Introspexion (2009) •	Bi/Polar (2010) •	1961 (2010)