Take It On: Side Projects

Let's face it, side projects are rarely successful. They ultimately wind up long forgotten and scrutinized. It's not really that the artist is making bad music per se, but it's just that people who are familiar "fans" of the artist want what they already know. They wind up hearing only bits and pieces of a whole they appreciate and long for. Which is a shame, because I love side projects. Reasons:

• It's refreshing to hear an artist(s) in a different way.

• It's usually genre bending music because they try and seperate themselves from their more popular image.


• It occasionally allows you to understand what influences them and how they incorporate it into their original band's music.

I already noted Discovery's LP, which was released this past Tuesday (go get it before your opportunity for a new perfect summer album slips away). And now the incredibly talented Jón “Jónsi” Þór Birgisson, vocalist/guitarist for Sigur Rós, has branched out with long time boyfriend/bandmate Alex Somers to create Riceboy Sleeps. Beautifully crafted instrumental sounds creating dense and mellow atmospheres. You can click their link above for a free download of "Boy 1904". However, don't hesitate to snatch up my gift to you below. Happiness is the first song and highlight off their upcoming self-titled release due out July 21st.

Riceboy Sleeps - Happiness