Photographs capture moments from the continuous flow of life that rarely or never will be repeated. Series of events create the moment captured by the lens and sometimes this can be traced back even weeks, months, years. A successfully created image captures a certain atmosphere and reveals the subject’s emotions, without words or explanations.
The following collection of images of Bloodgroup’s band members was taken by the photographer Sigríður Ella Frímannsdóttir. The pictures were taken during the band’s travels, both locally as well as abroad between 2011 and 2013. At that time the band travelled wide and far, went on a concert tour of Europe and the United States, as well as performing in Iceland, including Iceland Airwaves Music Festival. These images reveal the atmosphere to those of us who stayed at home. Almost like a CAT scan of the band’s existence during this busy period.
Bloodgroup was formed in 2006 by Janus Rasmussen and the siblings Ragnar Jónsson, Lilja Jónsdóttir and Hallur Jónsson. The band released its first album in 2007, titled “Sticky situation“ and “Dry land“ followed in 2009. When their singer, Lilja Jónsdóttir, left the band in 2010, Sunna Margrét Þórisdóttir took her place. The band‘s third album was released in 2013, titled “Tracing echoes“. All members of the band play keyboards, Sunna Margrét and Janus supply the vocals, Hallur and Ragnar the back-up vocals but the latter one also handles the percussion. The band is known for catchy electronic music that does not try to imitate anyone, or follow a narrow path of preconceived notions. It is evident at Bloodgroup’s concerts that this is a group of young people that love to create – and do so with great skill.
The fact that Sigríður Ella knows the members of the band comes across in the photographs. They are so personal and warm that it would be difficult for a stranger emulate. The viewer can get a sense of these their personalities as well as the atmosphere of the passing moment, which is important.
Because what are human beings made of? The visible exterior of course, which all mobile phone owners can capture in a photograph. However, what even more characterizes us is what our inner being is made of and how we present that to the world. To take a photograph that also mirrors the soul of the subject is art and not within everybody’s capability. In particular when it appears to be effortless.
Finally, I suspect that those who know Bloodgroup’s music will also hear their songs sounding in their ears while viewing the photographs, which is quite appropriate. Enjoy.
Yrsa Sigurðardóttir