José González (singer)

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José González
José González wearing a dark blue shirt, standing onstage in front of a microphone, playing an acoustic guitar
González performing in 2015
Background information
Birth nameJosé Gabriel González
Born (1978-07-31) 31 July 1978 (age 45)
Gothenburg, Sweden
GenresIndie folk
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Guitar
  • vocals
  • bass
  • piano
  • percussion
Years active2003–present
Labels
Websitejose-gonzalez.com
José González at Zelt-Musik-Festival, 2017

José Gabriel González (born 31 July 1978) is a Swedish indie folk singer-songwriter and guitarist from Gothenburg.[1] González is also a member of the band Junip, along with Tobias Winterkorn.

Early life and education

José González was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, to Argentine parents. The González family—made up of González's father, a National University of San Luis psychology student, González's mother, a fellow student studying biochemistry, both of whom were politically active, and González's older sister, then an infant—fled Argentina after the military coup d'état in March 1976, at the start of the "Dirty War". Escaping to Brazil, they were granted asylum by the Swedish consulate in Rio de Janeiro and relocated to Gothenburg in 1977.[2] José was born a year later, in the Haga district of Gothenburg.[3][4] He has said, "It's a very small town. It has about a half-million people living there. It's a pretty good music city by the ocean. It rains a lot there, but it's beautiful in the summertime."[5]

González grew up listening to Latin folk and pop music and has named Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez as a favourite artist.[3] He said the first concert he went to was the Wailers. "I got their autographs and everything", he mentioned in an interview. "I was about 12 or so. At the time, my favourite music was Bob Marley and Michael Jackson."[6]

González was in a PhD program for biochemistry at the University of Gothenburg.[7] In 2003, he paused his studies, as his music career became a new focus.[8][9]

Career

The first band González played in was Back Against the Wall, a Gothenburg hardcore punk group influenced by Black Flag, Misfits, and Dead Kennedys.[10] He later played bass guitar in another hardcore band, Renascence, between 1993 and 1998.[11] Between 1997 and 1998, he played guitar with the rock band Only If You Call Me Jonathan.

In June 2003, González issued his debut solo release, a two-track 7 in (180 mm) single. It was discovered by Joakim Gävert, co-founder of the then-fledgling label Imperial Records, who signed González as their first official artist.[12] In October, González released his debut album, Veneer, in Europe. The record was subsequently released in the UK on 25 April 2005 and in the United States on 6 September 2005. González had begun working on the material while still a PhD student.[7]

González' trademark sound is solo classical guitar with soft vocal melody. His work, although mostly original, also includes acoustic covers of such hits as "

Teardrop" by Massive Attack, and "Last Snowstorm of the Year" by Low
.

His second album,

European Border Breakers Award.[citation needed
]

In 2010, a documentary about him, called The Extraordinary Ordinary Life of Jose Gonzalez, was released.[14][15]

His third album, Vestiges & Claws, was released in February 2015. It was critically acclaimed and received the IMPALA Album of the Year Award.[16]

On 17 February 2021, González released a single with Spanish lyrics, "El Invento".[17] In April, he issued "Visions", the second single from his next album, Local Valley, which came out on 17 September.[18]

In 2023, González appeared in the feature film A Tiger in Paradise, which is a fictionalized depiction of his own life.[19]

Collaborations and soundtrack appearances

José González performing at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire in London, UK, April 2008
González performing with chamber pop group yMusic in 2016

González plays in the band Junip with Tobias Winterkorn (and previously Elias Araya). To date, Junip have released two EPs,

Junip
.

He collaborated with UK downtempo duo Zero 7 on their 2006 album, The Garden, providing guest vocals, along with Zero 7 regular Sia. González performs vocals on four songs: "Futures", "Left Behind", "Today", and "Crosses". The latter sampled by British hip hop artist Plan B on the song "Cast a Light", which appears on the Paint It Blacker EP.

González collaborated with Finnish house DJ Jori Hulkkonen on the track "Blinded by the Numbers", from Hulkkonen's 2005 album, Dualizm. He has also worked with the Swedish hip hop DJ and producer Embee, on the track "Send Someone Away".[20]

González collaborated with the Books on Red Hot Organization's Dark Was the Night compilation album, fundraising for HIV and AIDS awareness, which was released in February 2009.[21] In 2011, he contributed to the organization's follow-up album, Red Hot+Rio 2 with the song "Um Girassol Da Cor Do Seu Cabelo", recorded with Mia Doi Todd.[citation needed]

González participated in

the Göteborg String Theory project in 2009–2011, an experimental music and art project that involved artists from Gothenburg and classical composers from Berlin, Germany. A new sound piece of his song "Cycling Trivialities" was arranged by composer Nackt for a classical orchestra. It was recorded and performed together with González and finally released on the album The Göteborg String Theory Album, in April 2010. González continued his collaboration with the Göteborg String Theory in 2011. Nackt wrote eleven new arrangements for González' songs, and in spring 2011, González and the group went on a European of 19 cities.[citation needed
]

His cover of the Knife's "Heartbeats" has been used numerous times in media. His music features prominently on the soundtrack to Ben Stiller's 2013 film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, as do a few tracks by Junip.

Personal life

González is in a long-term relationship with his partner, Swedish designer Hannele Fernström, with whom he has a daughter, born in 2017.[22] González is an atheist[22][23] and a vegan.[24]

A firm believer in effective altruism, since August 2017, González has been a member of Giving What We Can, a community of people who have pledged to give at least 10% of their income to charities.[25]

Awards

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
SWE
[27] 		AUS
[28] 		BEL
[29]
GER
[30]
 IRE
[31] 		NLD
[32] 		NZ
[33] 		SWI
[34] 		UK
[35] 		US
[36]
Veneer
  • Released: 29 October 2003
  • Label: Imperial
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 2 52 28 — 2 46 11 — 7 —
In Our Nature
  • Released: 25 September 2007
  • Label: Imperial / Mute
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 8 11 33 — 26 69 32 — 19 132
Vestiges & Claws
  • Released: 17 February 2015
  • Label: Imperial / Mute
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 7 34 79 55 99 86 — 44 49 72
Local Valley
  • Released: 17 September 2021
  • Label: City Slang and Mute
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 25 — 72 20 — —[A] — 41 —[B] —[C]
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

List of live albums
Title Album details
Live in Europe
  • Released: 22 February 2019[43]
  • Label: Imperial / Mute
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
  • Featured artists: String Theory

EPs

List of extended plays
Title EP details Peak chart
positions
SWE
[27]
Crosses
  • Released: 11 June 2003
  • Label: Imperial
  • Formats: CD
 —
José González & Jens Lekman Split Tour Single
  • Released: December 2003
  • Label: Imperial
  • Formats: CD
 —
Remain
  • Released: 21 January 2004
  • Label: Imperial
  • Formats: CD
 28
Stay in the Shade
  • Released: 23 June 2004
  • Label: Imperial
  • Formats: CD
 48
Australian Tour EP
  • Released: 14 November 2005
  • Label: Imperial
  • Formats: CD
 —
B-Sides Collected
  • Released: November 2006
  • Label: Imperial
  • Formats: CD
 —
3 EP Collection
  • Released: September 2007
  • Label: Mute
  • Formats: CD
 —
José González & Promise and the Monster Split Tour Single
  • Released: December 2007
  • Label: Mute
  • Formats: CD
 —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
SWE
[27] 		AUS
[28] 		BEL
[29]
EUR
[44]
 IRE
[31] 		NLD
[32] 		SCO
[45]
UK
[35]
UK
Indie
[35]
US
Rock
[46]
"Heartbeats" 2006 —[D] 45 20 9 12 56 6 9 3 — Veneer
"
Crosses
" 		4 — — — — — 56 107 13 —
"Hand on Your Heart" — 88 — — — — 21 29 5 — Non-album track
"Down the Line" 2007 — — — — — — 88 140 12 — In Our Nature
"Killing for Love" — — — — — — — — 35 —
"
Teardrop
" 		— — — — — — — — 21 —
"Cycling Trivialities" 2009 — — — — — — — — — —
"Step Out" 2014 — — — — — — — — — 43 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
"Stay Alive" — —[E] — — — — — — — 45
"Every Age" — — — — — — — — — — Vestiges & Claws
"Leaf Off/The Cave" 2015 — — — — — — — — — —
"El Invento" 2021 — — —[F] — — — — — — — Local Valley
"Visions"[49] — — —[G] — — — — — — —
"Head On" — — — — — — — — — —
"Swing" — — — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
Indie
[35]
"In Our Nature" 2007 48 In Our Nature

Other contributions

  • Acoustic 05 – "Broken Arrows" (2005)
  • Chillout Sessions 9
     – "Heartbeats" (2006)
  • The Acoustic Album
     – "Heartbeats" (2006)
  • Acoustic 07 – "Lovestain" (2007)
  • Chillout Sessions 10
     – "Down the Line" (2007)
  • Chillout Sessions XI
     – "Teardrop" (2008)
  • Dark Was the Night – featured on the Books' cover of Nick Drake's "Cello Song" (2009)
  • Uncovered – "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (2009)
  • Red Dead Redemption Original Soundtrack
     – "Far Away" (2010)
  • Record, Zero 7 – "Futures – Feat. Jose Gonzalez" (2010)
  • The Göteborg String Theory Album – "Cycling Trivialities" (2010)
  • It All Starts with One, Ane Brun – "Worship" (2011)
  • The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Soundtrack – "Step Out", "Stay Alive", "#9 Dream" (2013)
  • Master Mix: Red Hot + Arthur Russell
     – "This Is How We Walk on the Moon" (2014)
  • Life Is Strange –"Crosses" (2015)
  • Looking for Alaska – "Crosses" (2019)

Notes

  1. ^ Local Valley did not enter the Dutch Album Top 100 but entered the Dutch Vinyl 33 chart at number 28.[40]
  2. ^ Local Valley did not enter the UK Albums Chart but peaked at number 89 on the UK Album Downloads Chart.[41]
  3. ^ Local Valley did not enter the US Billboard 200 but peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Album Sales Chart.[42]
  4. ^ "Heartbeats" did not enter the Sverigetopplistan Top 100 Singles chart but peaked at number 10 on the Sverigetopplistan Heatseeker chart.[47]
  5. ^ "Stay Alive" did not enter the Australian ARIA Singles Chart but peaked at number 10 on the ARIA Hitseekers Chart.[48]
  6. ^ "El Invento" did not enter the Ultratop 50 but peaked at number 40 on the Flemish Ultratip chart.[29]
  7. ^ "Visions" did not enter the Ultratop 50 but charted as an extra tip on the Flemish Ultratip chart.[29]

References

  1. ^ "José González on Mountain Stage". NPR. Archived from the original on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  2. ^ Crandell, Ben (23 September 2015). "Jose Gonzalez, man of the world". SouthFlorida.com.
  3. ^ a b "A new way for Jose". The Age. 23 September 2007. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  4. ^ Luoma, Jess (15 October 2015). "TIMF Interview: Getting to know José Gonzaléz on a personal level". The Bay Bridged.
  5. ^ "Jose Gonzalez: The MusicSnobbery.com Interview". MusicSnobbery.com. 3 July 2006. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  6. Time Out. Archived from the original
    on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  7. ^ a b "Sweety Gonzalez: Jose has a quiet word with Guerilla". BBC Radio 1. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  8. ^ Evers, Derek (1 October 2008). "Interview – Jose Gonzalez". The Fader.
  9. ^ Hakimzadeh, Dara (19 December 2007). "José González: The Science of Music". PlugInMusic.com.
  10. ^ a b Rajagopalan, Pras (2007). "José González Is Quietly Hardcore". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 9 November 2007. Retrieved 31 October 2007.
  11. ^ José González interview with The Reykjavík Grapevine
  12. ^ Polowczyk, Lukasz (25 June 2006). "Interview with Magnus Bohman". HitQuarters. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
  13. ^ Jose Gonzalez interview Archived 8 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine with Mark Ziemke for GroundControlMag.com, 4 September 2007
  14. ^ Egerstrand & Blund (2010). "The Extraordinary Ordinary Life of José González" (Documentary short).
  15. ^ Simon, Alissa (7 February 2010). "The Extraordinary Ordinary Life of Jose Gonzalez". Variety.
  16. ^ ""Vestiges & Claws" by José González wins IMPALA Album of the Year Award"". sur impalamusic.org. Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  17. ^ "José González – El Invento (Official Music Video)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3_Zz0O4pDo
  18. ^ Elder, Sajae (14 April 2021). "José González announces new album Local Valley, shares "Visions"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  19. ^ "A Tiger in Paradise review – José González offers anxiety dreams as lifestyle brand". theguardian.com. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  20. ^ "Music Producers, Sound Engineers, Songwriters and Music Production Studios". Soundism.com. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  21. ^ Hall, Tara (27 May 2009). "Jose Gonzalez maps North American jaunt". Livedaily. Archived from the original on 29 May 2009. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  22. ^ a b Milazzo, Robert; González, José (12 February 2018). "Murmur 75: José González "They Choose Where We Live"" (Audio podcast). Murmur Digital Radio.
  23. ^ Salazar, Lauren (26 September 2008). "José González on Learning Portuguese and the Likelihood of Hearing 'Kumbaya' at His Concert This Weekend". New York. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
  24. ^ Horowitz, Steve (1 September 2021). "José González: Exploring the Spare Beauty of Meditative Music". Iowa Source. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  25. ^ "José González on Effective Altruism, Doomsday Dudes, and New Album Local Valley". 18 October 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  26. ^ "Grammisvinnare genom åren" [Grammy winners over the years]. grammis.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  27. ^ a b c "Discography José González". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  28. ^ a b Peaks in Australia:
    • All except noted: "Discography José González". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
    • Veneer and "Hand on Your Heart": Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 116.
  29. ^ a b c d "Discography José González". ultratop.be/nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  30. ^ "Discographie José González". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  31. ^ a b "Discography José González". irish-charts.com. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  32. ^ a b "Discography José González". dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  33. ^ "Discography José González". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  34. ^ "Discographie José González". Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  35. ^
    The Official Charts Company
    . Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  36. ^ "José González: Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  37. ^ "Certifikat José González Veneer" (in Swedish). Grammofon Leverantörernas Förening. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  38. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  39. ^ a b c d "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (enter the search parameter "Jose Gonzalez" into the Search box, then select "Go") on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  40. ^ "José González - Local Valley". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  41. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  42. ^ "José González Chart History: Album Sales". Billboard. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  43. ^ Live in Europe by José González & The String Theory, retrieved 24 July 2021
  44. ^ "José González Chart History: Euro Digital Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  45. ^ Peak chart positions in Scotland:
  46. ^ "José González Chart History: Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  47. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 5, 2015". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  48. ^ "ARIA Report: Issue 1265" (PDF). ARIA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  49. ^ "Visions – Single by José González". Spotify. Retrieved 19 April 2021.

External links

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