Jannis Noya Makrigiannis, founder and core member of Danish chamber pop band Choir of Young Believers, has died. He was 39.
Makrigiannis passed away at the very end of last month following a "short period of illness," according to the band's US label, Ghostly.
The label broke the news in a statement, writing: "Jannis was a gentle, kind soul, always appreciative of our team helping him to share his art with the world. He always put art first in his process, and as a result, Jannis was often far ahead of the cultural curve. His music only seems to get better with time."
Consisting of Makrigiannis and a rotating supporting cast, the Choir of Young Believers project dates back to 2006. They quickly grew to acclaim in their home country for their grandiose, evocative indie pop soundscapes, and eventually achieved chart success with hit single "Hollow Talk."
Choir of Young Believers broke through in the US after playing a SXSW showcase in 2009, after which Ghostly reissued their debut album This Is for the White in Your Eyes — initially released solely in Denmark through Tigerspring in 2008.
Rhine Gold followed on both labels in 2012, a year that also brought the band back to SXSW, and they released a third album, Grasque, in 2016.
Makrigiannis revived the project last year for what would be his final release, Holy Smoke.
Makrigiannis passed away at the very end of last month following a "short period of illness," according to the band's US label, Ghostly.
The label broke the news in a statement, writing: "Jannis was a gentle, kind soul, always appreciative of our team helping him to share his art with the world. He always put art first in his process, and as a result, Jannis was often far ahead of the cultural curve. His music only seems to get better with time."
Consisting of Makrigiannis and a rotating supporting cast, the Choir of Young Believers project dates back to 2006. They quickly grew to acclaim in their home country for their grandiose, evocative indie pop soundscapes, and eventually achieved chart success with hit single "Hollow Talk."
Choir of Young Believers broke through in the US after playing a SXSW showcase in 2009, after which Ghostly reissued their debut album This Is for the White in Your Eyes — initially released solely in Denmark through Tigerspring in 2008.
Rhine Gold followed on both labels in 2012, a year that also brought the band back to SXSW, and they released a third album, Grasque, in 2016.
Makrigiannis revived the project last year for what would be his final release, Holy Smoke.
