Sigur Rós Plots New Album(s), Performs for Dalai Lama

The blissfully spaced-out songs of Sigur Rós have always had an otherworldly quality to them, so it comes as no surprise that the band has been tapped to perform for the Dalai Lama this week. But His Holiness isn't the only one due for a treat; the Icelanders have been experiencing some serious enlightenment of the creative kind and are busting at the seams with new material. The band is plugging away at a nearly finished full-length due next year, while lead singer Jónsi is hatching two upcoming solo projects. Oh, and lest we forget that film score in the works, too. Talk about a busy schedule.

The band describes the follow-up to Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaus (which clinched the #2 spot on Paste's Signs of Life 2008: Best Music list), as "less noisy and more out there than previous albums" and predicts a 2010 release, though no date has been set. Meanwhile, lead singer Jon Thor "Jónsi" Birgisson and his partner Alex Somers are readying the release of Riceboy Sleeps, an ambient and predominantly instrumental album due July 21 on XL. Jónsi also has a solo project up his sleeve, a currently untitled acoustic album which will feature strings from composer Nico Muhly.

Unfortunately for the Dalai Lama, Birgisson will have to take a rain-check on the performance tomorrow as he's in Londontown recording. In his absence, the band will play alongside a few collaborators from their 2002 "Odin's Raven Magic" project. The Dalai Lama is visiting Reykjavik, Iceland to give a public talk in the Laugardalshöll arena.