Check out our interview with Norwegian alt/pop artist Hanne Mjøen who just released her new single “Emotional Fever.”
Emotional Fever tells a tale of having an emotional battle: are they right for me or not? Starting off with glassy, lullaby raindrops, the song builds into a torrent of passionate production and a catchy hook, enhanced in a glaze of electronic echoes. It allows you to cry, be angry, dance and celebrate. You’ll enjoy the emotional fever and you might even catch it from those imprinting melodies.
Mjøen has garnered over 20 million streams to date, received airplay from Annie Mac and BBC Radio 1, as well as being featured on the likes of PAPER Magazine, Fred Perry Subculture, The Line of Best Fit, The FADER and Refinery29, to name a few.
Follow Hanne @hanne.mjoen
Hi Hanne, please tell us a little about you?
Hi, I’m Hanne Mjøen, an alt-pop girl in a big big world with a pocket full of poems, words, emotions and ambition. I grew up the a small town Oppdal, in the middle of Norway, and with not much to do during a ½ year of winter every year, I quickly in love with creating music.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Artistic, hardworking, perfectionist
How did you get started in the business?
At the age of 19 I released my first songs on a indie label created by my friends after discovering that I had a talent for writing. It was just for fun in the beginning, but as it got picked up by Norwegian radio P3, and I got gigs to play live, I realized that there wasn’t anything else I would want to spend my life doing.
How has this changed your life?
For me writing is an outlet and a free space to write about my feelings, concerns, what I find interesting and most of the time it feels like a conversation I’m having with myself. I’ve never been any good to talk about the hard feelings, so it’s kind of like therapy for me.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Dark, intense and hopeful
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
I honestly just fell into writing and producing at school, I moved to Oslo to do music at the age of 18, and met my first co-writer (Hans Olav Settem) there. I had never written with someone before, and him liking my ideas and helping me to finish them made me see myself as a writer and want to try.
Do you play any instrument?
I used to play guitar and are able to play piano, but I’m a bit too impatient to ever get any good at it, so I’d rather just let someone else play and tell them what to do haha.
Do you ever get nervous?
I always get nervous before shows, but I think it’s healthy cause it makes me focus on what to do before getting on stage. After the first song it turns into adrenaline and it’s the best feeling in the world.
What’s the story behind “Emotional Fever?”
I wrote Emotional Fever in Brighton with Olivia Sebastianelli and Toby Scott. I wanted to put words to the feeling when you can’t decide if the person you’re seeing is right for you or not. How in one minute it feels like it will last forever, and the next you just want to run away. I described it as a fever, cause you got no way to control your emotions, and that you kinda just have to tag along for the roller coaster ride.
And what is the feeling to have more than 20 million streams in your career? That’s amazing, Congrats!
Thank you! It feels surreal to be honest. It’s hard to believe that something I have written and felt can relate to so many people around the world. It makes me able to continue with my music, and that means everything to me.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
I’ve never wanted to become a popstar or celebrity or anything, for me it’s all about the writing. Whenever someone tells me my music means something for them, or makes them feel something, that just feels amazing. We are all just humans, and if my music can make you feel less alone on your thoughts and emotions, or just make you feel better, that’s the most rewarding for me.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
I don’t read books. I think reading books is boring.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far?
I’ve learned to trust myself, and not let anyone else’s opinion on how I should sound influence me. To create music is supposed to be fun, and about you, and if it’s not fun anymore you should stop.
How would your best friend describe you?
Kind and crazy.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
I hate books.
What’s next for Hanne Mjøen in 2021?
Keep writing love songs and release them into the world.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Protein Shake.
And your favorite cheat food?
Pasta carbonara with truffle.
How would you explain your fashion style?
A mix of my boyfriends tees and hoodies, baggy pants and cool sneakers.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Chocolate
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Robyn. She is one of the coolest women in pop-music of all time. Her writing is unique, her confidence inspires me, and her being the queen of “Crying on the dance floor”-pop doesn’t make her less iconic. I never get tired of her songs, even if it’s dated songs from 2010, it still sounds modern and current. Love it. “Dancing on my own” is still number one on my list.
Best advice ever given?
Pay your bills, in time.
Do you support any charity?
Whenever I get the opportunity <3
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
Sipping champagne in Spain
Favorite song? Why?
Dancing On My Own. No explanation needed.
What do you think of Social Media?
I have a love-hate relationship with social media. It’s like I got an Emotional Fever ????
Where we can follow you?
