How I would write Björk’s Artist Bio
An amazing artist bio opens doors. For every public appearance there's always the pesky "photo + bio" request from the marketing person. The bio is essential for applications, press releases, submissions, and every online platform, including DSPs and social media.
It matters more than anything that it's relevant and paints a full picture of the person it's for. If our name alone is not already a calling card, the bio is there to establish credibility and ideally excitement for the artist's project. Overstating its importance is not possible. For me, I tend to re-write and update bios every time I'm asked for one. It's not a one and done, due to how important it is to get right every time.
I always start with the long bio first to capture all the important information. The shorter bios, used for social media and web, are a synthesis of the longer bio. Since it's almost impossible to talk about it in theory alone, I'll build out the perfect bio using Björk as my example. Please don't focus on her specifics – the point is showing how to frame a career concisely. Finally, you’ll find my checklist for crafting the perfect bio every time.
Step 1: Killer Opening
The way to write an incredible bio is to use your most impressive achievements to grab the reader's attention right away. Say what is true, and also what's so impressive your jaw drops a little.
Best way to do this is to use your name, your discipline, and what you're most known for.
Björk is Iceland's most known music artist whose 90s legacy still fills stadiums today. She's a singer, songwriter, composer, and record producer renowned for her distinct voice and eccentric persona.
I love framing it as how I would explain it in person to someone who is interested and actively listening. I like creating the feeling of can I say that? because it almost sounds too impressive but then I can say it because it is true. And the person can't be accused of bragging because they didn't say it, I did.
Imagine your best friend hyping you up at a party. How would they explain? Hopefully in a conversational and upbeat way.
Step 2: Context for Credibility
Now that we've captured the attention of our reader, lets back it up with facts. Awards, achievements, education, and what our artist is most known for anchors our bold claim.
Her aptly titled Debut, released in 1993, garnered mainstream success while drawing on influences from electronic music, house, jazz, and hip hop. NME named it album of the year and it's ever since been recognised as one of the best albums of the 90s, as have her next two albums Post and Homogenic. She is often credited for having brought electronic music into mainstream pop – the influence of which is still present.
This chapter is the hardest because it requires reflection and critical thinking. It's not listing anything out, it's expanding on the greatest contribution this artist has made in their career. We can't really google/chatgbt our way out of this one. This is storytelling.
That's why I like to think of it as how we would talk in real life as when we have to think on our feet we automatically synthasise the most interesting facts.
A tip if you're super stuck, use a service that blocks out your writing to get into a 'stream of conciousness' flow. Often not overthinking what we're writing lands us on something useful. One I like is ILYS.
Step 3: Style
The way to think about this next step is to again think of your reader. Ideally at this point they're like "ok, sounds great – but what is it", so now we explain.
Among her most known tracks are the Top 10 hits "It’s Oh So Quiet", "Army of Me", and "Hyperballad", along with "Human Behavior", whose groundbreaking music video gained significant MTV airtime. Her influence is clearly felt in much of modern electronic pop music, and those who have openly cited her as an influence include Prince, Beyoncé, Linkin Park, Travis Scott, Hayley Williams of Paramore, Missy Elliott, Jeff Buckley, and Caroline Polacheck.
Specifics help create recognition and excitement. The reader will love the feeling of “Oh, I know that one!”
Step 4: Anchor with Accolades
Now that we have a clear picture of the artist’s work, let’s anchor it with awards and industry recognition. This is where we name-drop and solidify credibility.
"No contemporary artist so gracefully bridges the divide [between music experimentalist and pop celebrity] as Björk," states The New Yorker. It’s a fitting description for an artist whose 10 albums have sold over 40 million copies worldwide. She's been named TIME's Top 100 Most Influential People in the World, and Rolling Stone has listed her as both a Top 100 singer and one of the greatest songwriters of all time.
This is the easiest part as it simply lists out readily available information. Finding a press quote that best crystalises all you've said lends credibility to your story as now you're not just the one saying it – so have other people, and in print!
Step 5: Make it Current
We've been trained to be modest and downplay our motivation and while it makes sense in social settings, in a bio it makes the message muddled and confusing. Most of the time the bio is for a specific purpose, and so it’s essential to direct the momentum you’ve built to the latest project.
To close of Björk’s one, let’s bring it up to date with her current project.
In recent years, Björk’s music has grown more personal, while her productions have become increasingly innovative and experimental. This evolution is mirrored in her live shows, known for integrating cutting-edge technology—her drone performance at Coachella 2023 is a prime example.
Björk’s latest Cornucopia tour, a testament to her innovative spirit, will be released in theaters worldwide in 2025. Tickets are available now for a theater near you.
As the beginning stated, I adjust every bio each time I'm asked for one. The reason is so I can tailormake it for the occasion and to include the latest accolades.
We want to use all the build-up we've so carefully crafted to channel the attention to a specific destination – the current project being projected.
MY PERSONAL CHECKLIST
Long bio:
Step 1: Killer Opening
Your Name
Your Dicipline
What You're Most Known For
Step 2: Context for Credibility
Most Notable Achievement
Background (Place and/or Key Influences)
Step 3: Style
Medium
Themes and/or Messages
Names of Recognisable Works
Step 4: Anchor with Accolades
Most Prestigious Award
A Summary Press Mention
Step 5: Make it Current
Latest Project
Future Vison
Björk’s Bio – Example
What I like about this approach is that it forces you to stay focused. Yes, we could have talked about her impact on fashion, or her environmental activism, or her film career, Iceland angle – we could have taken this in a million directions. Her Wikipedia page is almost 20.000 words, so there’s a lot to say.
Her career perfectly demonstrates that a bio isn’t trying to be all-encompassing. It’s focused and it’s for a specific purpose. This one is focused on her legacy and live shows, from the opening sentence to the call to action to buy tickets.
It’s spin.
The formula lands us on a 300 word bio, which is appropriate for most web formats and even some social media platforms. Now that our message is crystal clear, this version gets used to synthesise further.
OUTCOME – 311 words
Björk is Iceland's most known music artist whose 90s legacy still fills stadiums today. She's a singer, songwriter, composer, and record producer renowned for her distinct voice and eccentric persona.
Her aptly titled Debut, released in 1993, garnered mainstream success while drawing on influences from electronic music, house, jazz, and hip hop. NME named it album of the year and it's ever since been recognised as one of the best albums of the 90s, as have her next two albums Post and Homogenic. She is often credited for having brought electronic music into mainstream pop – the influence of which is still present.
Among her most known tracks are the Top 10 hits "It’s Oh So Quiet", "Army of Me", and "Hyperballad", along with "Human Behavior", whose groundbreaking music video gained significant MTV airtime. Her influence is clearly felt in much of modern electronic pop music, and those who have openly cited her as an influence include Prince, Beyoncé, Linkin Park, Travis Scott, Hayley Williams of Paramore, Missy Elliott, Jeff Buckley, and Caroline Polacheck.
"No contemporary artist so gracefully bridges the divide [between music experimentalist and pop celebrity] as Björk," states The New Yorker. It’s a fitting description for an artist whose 10 albums have sold over 40 million copies worldwide. She's been named TIME's Top 100 Most Influential People in the World, and Rolling Stone has listed her as both a Top 100 singer and one of the greatest songwriters of all time.
In recent years, Björk’s music has grown more personal, while her productions have become increasingly innovative and experimental. This evolution is mirrored in her live shows, known for integrating cutting-edge technology—her drone performance at Coachella 2023 is a prime example. Björk’s latest Cornucopia tour, a testament to her innovative spirit, will be released in theaters worldwide in 2025. Tickets are available now for a theater near you.
SHORT – under 100 words
Björk’s innovative approach to music in the 90s, blending pop with electronic house, made her into Iceland’s most known artist with over 40M records sold and hits like ‘Army of Me’ and ‘Hyperballad’. Her unique sound still shapes modern pop to the extent that in 2016 TIME named her one of the Top 100 most influential people in the world. Now, her groundbreaking Cornucopia tour, with its cutting-edge visuals, will be released in theatres worldwide in 2025. Tickets available now.
SOCIALS – under 100 characters
The Cornucopia tour gets a worldwide cinematic release in 2025.
Yes, there’s a reason artists’ social media bios are always promo for their current project
(I recommend checking out a few favourites – they honestly all have it).
The bio is to get you to check out the artist.
Clicking on their profile means the reader now has. Time to point them to the next thing, which is almost always the latest project.
Want to build yours? I eventually codified this approach I use for artist bios into a five-step framework at GLITSKÝ Management.
The Perfect Artist Bio Checklist is available free, or GLITSKÝ's Artist Bio Builder takes you through the full research, positioning and drafting process.
