Originally a duo, the band has expanded and contracted in the 12 years of being and has counted 15 - 20 people along the way.
The band was formed in 1997 by original members Gunnar Örn Tynes and Örvar Þóreyjarson Smárason, their first release was a split 10" with the girl-band Spúnk and saw light in the summer of '98. They were joined a year later by twin sisters Gyða and Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir and released two albums as quartet. Following a number of collaborative projects, the group’s celebrated debut album Yesterday was dramatic - today is OK (reissued by Morr Music in October 2005) gained a wealth of glowing press and widespread praise. A remix project, Please Smile My Noise Bleed, also released on the Morr Music label in November 2001.
In 2002, after the release of Finally We Are No One and the extensive first world tour, Gyða left the band to return to her studies in Reykjavík. Shortly after, the third sister Ásthildur Valtýsdóttir joined for singing duties temporarily and Serena Tideman replaced Gyða on cello, for a single European tour. The band's third album, Summer Make Good, a darker and foggier, nautically themed work was released in May 2004, flanked by two singles, Nightly Cares and Dusk Log. By then the ensemble had evolved to include Eiríkur Ólafsson and Hildur Guðnadóttir (who had guest appearances on múm recordings from the beginning) and Ólöf Arnalds. In early 2006, Kristín also left the band after releasing and heavily touring the album Summer Make Good.
The start of 2006 saw the band's creativity start to blossom once again, starting with two remixes Goldfrapp of the tracks ‘Number 1’ and ‘You Never Know’. They followed this with two legendary DJ sets at the FatCat Festival in Belgium in February and SXSW in Austin Texas 2007. With a combination of decks, effects, laptops, toy microphones, old cassette player recordings and vocals, coupled with their own recorded material, strange electronic covers by friends, gypsy folk music and general craziness on stage. They were also subsequently invited DJ at Summer Sonic Festival in Japan as well as be headline act as DJ's in Radio 1’s Rob Da Bank tent at Bestival on the Isle of Wight. In september 2007 múm released Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy which turned out to be the bands last release for the Fatcat Records.
múm has always worked on projects which could be classed as unusual for a pop band or a pop collective. Among their extra curricular activity is their own soundtrack for the classic Sergei Eisenstein film, 'Battleship Potemkin', live performances of which have taken place in Hafnafjordur Iceland, Brooklyn Lyceum New York, and at the distinguished Gijon Film Festival Spain. múm have also composed for theater, most notably two radio theater plays, 'Svefnhjólið' (Sleeping Wheel) by Gyrdir Eliasson which won the Nordic Radio-theater prize and in 2008 Augu þín sáu mig (Your eyes saw me) by poet Sjón (which múm also worked with in 1999 on the operetta Kisa (cat). In 2005 they were invited to Amsterdam by the Holland Festival to collaborate with the National Dutch Chamber Orchestra to create a performance piece based around various compositions of the late avant-garde composer Iannis Xenakis for one of the centre piece shows at the festival.
múm released their fifth studio album, Sing Along to Songs You Don't Know, in August 2009. The collective now consists of founding members Gunnar Örn Tynes and Örvar Þóreyjarson Smárason and for touring and recording, this line-up is expanded to include their friends Eiríkur Orri Ólafsson (trumpet / piano/ keyboards), Hildur Guðnadóttir (cello / vocals), Sigurlaug Gísladóttir (Vocals / ukulele/ various), Róbert Reynisson (guitars/ukulele's) and the Finnish Samuli Kosminen (drums / percussion). The musical group sometimes extends to Ólöf Arnalds, Högni Egilsson, Ólafur Björn Ólafsson and Guðbjörg Hlín Guðmundsdóttir as well as a never ending family of friends and musicians who may join at the drop of a hat.
Official website: http://www.mum.is
Show Me
múm Lyrics
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(We're gonna die like little flies, we're gonna die like little)
Show me the way you worship everything, show me your little ways
Show me the way you crush a little fly by looking into it’s eyes
(We're gonna die like little flies, we're gonna die like little)
The murky lights leave home, they leave me in the dark
I'm waiting here for you, waiting here for you
Show me the way you hypnotize the rain, show me the hidden path
Show me a way to brighten up the dusk, show me the way you do
(We're gonna die like little flies, we're gonna die like little)
The murky lights leave home, lured by something yonder
They’re out to look for something, a hope to fill their bellies
The murky lights leave home, leave me in the gooseflesh
I'm waiting here for you, waiting here for you
To show me, show me, show me, show me
The lyrics to múm's song "Show Me" are about an individual who is fascinated by the little things in life and is deeply curious about the way in which others view the world. The verses create a vivid image of this individual asking someone to show them how they interact with the world around them, from the way they worship the little things, to crushing a little fly, and even hypnotizing the rain.
The chorus is a repetition of the individual's plea to be shown the way, effectively immersing the listener in their desire to gain an intimate understanding of the world. The use of the repetition of the phrase "we're gonna die like little flies" highlights the fleeting nature of life and emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and appreciating the small things.
The second verse speaks to the individual's desire to find a hidden path or a way to brighten up the dusk, indicating that they are seeking a deeper understanding of the world and how to make it a better place. The final lines of the verse paint a haunting image of the "murky lights" leaving the individual in darkness as they wait for someone to show them the way.
Overall, the lyrics to "Show Me" are a beautiful and introspective meditation on the beauty of the world and the importance of taking the time to appreciate the small things. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and finding joy in the little things, even as the "murky lights" of life continue to draw us forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Show me the way you worship little things, show me the way you do
Please show me how you appreciate the little things in life, and how you go about it
(We're gonna die like little flies, we're gonna die like little)
We are all mortal, and our time on this Earth is limited
Show me the way you worship everything, show me your little ways
Please show me how you find value in everything, and the unique ways in which you express it
Show me the way you crush a little fly by looking into it’s eyes
Please show me how you confront the harsh realities of life, even when it is unpleasant
The murky lights leave home, they leave me in the dark
The lights that once illuminated my world have vanished, leaving me lost and alone in the darkness
I'm waiting here for you, waiting here for you
I am patiently waiting for someone to guide me and lead me out of this darkness
Show me the way you hypnotize the rain, show me the hidden path
Please show me the mystical way in which you can control even the rain, and help me find a path that is not readily apparent
Show me a way to brighten up the dusk, show me the way you do
Please show me how you can find joy and hope even in the darkest of times, and how you go about it
The murky lights leave home, lured by something yonder
The lights that once guided me are now gone, drawn away by something unknown and alluring
They’re out to look for something, a hope to fill their bellies
The lights are searching for something that will satisfy them, and bring them comfort and fulfillment
Leave me in the gooseflesh
Their absence fills me with unease and apprehension
To show me, show me, show me, show me
I remain eager and expectant, waiting for someone to reveal their secrets and wisdom to me
Contributed by Scarlett F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.