Miike Snow

Last updated

Miike Snow
Miike Snow.jpg
Miike Snow in 2012
Background information
Origin Stockholm, Sweden
Genres
Years active2007–present
Labels
Members
Website miikesnow.com

Miike Snow (pronounced "Mike Snow") [1] is a Swedish indie pop band formed in 2007. The band consists of producing team Bloodshy & Avant and American singer Andrew Wyatt. The band is often represented by a silhouette image of a jackalope. In their career, the band has released three studio albums: Miike Snow (2009), Happy to You (2012), and iii (2016).

Contents

History

Early years

Miike Snow was formed in 2007 in Stockholm, Sweden. Band members Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg were childhood friends who spent time playing in bands and working on various projects in studios throughout the city of Gothenburg. Karlsson was a former member of the Swedish hip-hop band Goldmine, who toured with The Fugees. [2] After separate moves to Stockholm, they reunited in 2000.[ citation needed ]

Karlsson and Winnberg collaborated under the moniker Bloodshy & Avant [3] and enjoyed a significant amount of success as producers and songwriters. They have worked with artists such as Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Kelis, Sky Ferreira, [4] and won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for Britney Spears' track "Toxic." [5]

In 2004, while working on writing a pop album for Britney Spears, Karlsson and Winnberg met the third band member, American songwriter Andrew Wyatt. Wyatt reports "I was in Sweden visiting, and someone told me that I should hook up with these two guys. Actually, it turns out I'd met Christian in the studio maybe a year before, but we only actually recently remembered that." [6]

The name "Miike Snow" is said to have come from one of their friends named Mike Snow. [3] [7] Contrary to suggestions or statements to the converse, [8] the spelling of "Miike" does not derive from the Japanese film director Takashi Miike; [3] Pontus Winnberg states that, "When we sat down to come up with a name one of us got an email from a mutual friend by the name Mike Snow. We liked it and added the extra "I" because we liked the look of it. We once found a possible classic Swedish film on our tour bus once, called Jävligt Jagad. It's a bit like if Bergman's ancestors would make a movie inspired by Takashi Miike." [3] Miike Snow have, however, indicated that they are fans of Miike's work, specifically noting Audition , Visitor Q , 13 Assassins , and Ichi the Killer . [9]

Miike Snow

Miike Snow is Miike Snow's eponymous debut album. It was recorded in Stockholm and released in the United States on 9 June 2009 by Downtown Records. A single for the track "Animal" was released on 17 February 2009. Upon a UK release of the song later in the same year, the track reached number 98 on the UK Singles Chart. The 'Punks Jump Up' remix of "Animal" is used as the theme music for the British Channel 4 sitcom Friday Night Dinner . The second single was "Black & Blue". Both singles have made the BBC Radio 1 Playlist B-List.

The Guardian spoke highly of the band, saying Miike Snow's "coolly emotional pop suggests A-ha meets Animal Collective." [10] In an interview for ClashMusic.com, Wyatt revealed their unexpected popularity, saying, "I don't think our project was that thought out when we started. We just wanted to make music together. Three people just messing about. I don't think we anticipated the level of attention that it's getting right now. We didn't even think about touring when we started the album." [11]

Miike Snow performing at SXSW 2010 Miikesnow.jpg
Miike Snow performing at SXSW 2010

Miike Snow have remixed tracks for Depeche Mode, Passion Pit, Peter Bjorn and John, Kings of Leon, I Blame Coco and Vampire Weekend. Their music has been remixed by Mark Ronson, Crookers, Peter Bjorn and John, Treasure Fingers, Tiga, Caspa, Style of Eye, Emalkay, Fake Blood, Benny Blanco, Savage Skulls, Netsky, Hood Internet and DJ Mehdi, amongst others. A remix of the song "Silvia" by DJ's Sebastian Ingrosso and Dirty South was released on 2 April 2010.

Their song "In Search Of" was originally a collaboration with Crookers for the song "Remedy". The band liked the result so much that they decided to create their own version for their album.

In 2011, Miike Snow won a European Border Breakers Award for their international success. [12] Every year the European Border Breakers Awards (EBBA) recognize the success of ten emerging artists or groups who reached audiences outside their own countries with their first internationally released album in the past year.

In 2012, the band toured the United States. [13]

Happy to You

On 30 May 2011, the band announced on Facebook that they were working on a brand new album to be released in the fall. On 7 October 2011, the band announced on Facebook that they had begun mixing their new album, [14] and that new music would be released by the end of the year. On 29 November 2011, the band announced via Facebook that the album is complete, the videos are being shot, the artwork is being finished, and the tour dates are being planned. [15] On 20 December 2011, the band announced via Facebook that their second full-length album, Happy to You , was set to be released the week of 26 March 2012. They also said that there will be no upcoming information on the track titles, singles. [16] The single "Devil's Work" was made available on Spotify on 15 December 2011.

On 19 January 2012, Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe premiered "Paddling Out," the first single from their second album. [17] Subsequently, the band released the song online and also announced concert dates for their North American tour. [18] At the same time, the track list and album cover art of Happy to You were revealed via Amazon UK. [19] On 24 January 2012, another song from the album, called "Black Tin Box," a collaboration with Swedish singer Lykke Li, was presented at Pitchfork. [20] On 9 March, Miike Snow visited Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 show and debuted a new Happy to You song "Bavarian No. 1 (Say You Will)." [21]

"Paddling Out" was released on iTunes on 13 March 2012 and is featured on the FIFA 13 soundtrack, the Forza Horizon soundtrack, and the new UK Budweiser advertisement. On 15 March the video for "The Wave," the second single from Happy to You, was released. It was once again directed by Swedish director Andreas Nillson, who also worked on the video for "Paddling Out." Both videos form together a unified story. [22]

iii

In 2013, Wyatt confirmed that Miike Snow had been working on their third album. On October 30, 2015, after a three-year hiatus, Miike Snow returned to making music as a cohesive unit. The trio of pop-progressives returned with a new song entitled "Heart Is Full." Premiered by Zane Lowe on his Beats1 program, "Heart Is Full" served as the first single released in support of the third studio album from the group. On December 4, 2015 they released their second single of the album, "Genghis Khan", which was well received by critics. Their third studio album, iii, was officially released on March 4, 2016. [23]

The band has promoted the album through multiple live performances, including events like SXSW and a concert series for Jimmy Kimmel Live! . In addition, the band has announced tour dates from March 3, 2016 to July 30, 2016. The tour began in New York City and features shows in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The dates also include performances at music festivals, including Coachella, the Governors Ball Music Festival and Lollapalooza, as well as others. [24]

Miike Snow co-headlined at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada and the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California with Phantogram in the summer of 2017. They also performed at the 96.5 The Buzz show in June 2017 with Glass Animals. Headline tour dates with Klangstof supporting were added, as well. In 2019, they played an unreleased track titled "I Was A Sailor" live at Just Like Heaven fest at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. [25] On November 28, 2023 it was announced that Miike Snow would be performing at the Atlanta-based Shaky Knees festival in 2024. [26]

Other activities

On 30 July 2011, the band announced via Twitter that their new record label, Ingrid, founded by Miike Snow, Peter Bjorn and John, Lykke Li, Coco Morier, and Dungen, was open for business. [27]

Artistry

Instruments

The Blob

Miike Snow has expressed a preference for not using laptops when recording and playing music. [28] Thus, in 2011, [28] in anticipation for the Happy to You tour, Miike Snow collaborated with the Swedish electronics lab Teenage Engineering and one of the engineers from Elektronmusikstudion (EMS) [29] to create "The Blob," [30] a 9 ft × 9 ft hexagonal [31] synthesiser [30] [32] The Blob has been introduced by vocalist Wyatt as "Part synthesizer, part testosterone, all headache, ladies and gentlemen, we happily bring you a costly device with planned obsolescence written all over it," [30] [33] consisting of digital samplers and old synthesizer parts, some of which were bought from Giorgio Moroder. [34]

Operated by Karlsson and Winnberg [34] and emblazoned with the band's jackalope logo, [9] the Blob has been used on tours, [35] and can be taken apart to facilitate travelling. [28]

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bloodshy & Avant</span> Swedish songwriting and production duo

Bloodshy & Avant are a Swedish songwriting and production duo consisting of Christian "Bloodshy" Karlsson and Pontus "Avant" Winnberg. They have worked with many prominent artists, including Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Ms. Dynamite, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, Kelis, Girls' Generation, Christina Milian, Sky Ferreira, Hikaru Utada and BoA. In addition to their production work, Karlsson and Winnberg are also members of the synth-pop group Miike Snow, alongside lead vocalist Andrew Wyatt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Wyatt</span> American musician

Andrew Wyatt Blakemore is an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. Born and raised in Manhattan, New York, he began his career playing in New York bands such as The A.M. and Black Beetle. He gained wider notability as the frontman of the Swedish electronic pop band Miike Snow, which released its acclaimed debut album in 2009. Since that time, Wyatt has released two other albums with the band as well as his solo debut Descender on Downtown Records in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Animal (Miike Snow song)</span> 2009 single by Miike Snow

"Animal" is a song performed by Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow. It was released as the first single from the band's 2009 self-titled debut album on 17 February 2009 through Columbia and Downtown Records. Written by the band alongside Henrik Jonback, "Animal" is a pop song with instrumentation provided by horns and staccato synthesizers. Lead singer Andrew Wyatt has explained that it has an ambiguous meaning; its lyrics can be interpreted as dealing with matters such as addiction, basic instincts or dissatisfaction when one's needs are not met by society.

<i>Miike Snow</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Miike Snow

Miike Snow is the debut album by Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow. It was released in the United States on 22 September 2009 by Downtown Records and in the United Kingdom on 26 October 2009 by Columbia Records, reaching number ninety-five on the UK Albums Chart. A deluxe edition was released on the iTunes Store in the US and Australia on 13 April 2010 and in Japan on 26 May 2010, including remixes of past tracks and "The Rabbit".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Karlsson (DJ)</span> DJ and record producer

Lars Christian Karlsson, also known by his stage name Bloodshy, is a Swedish DJ, percussionist, record producer and remixer known for his work with the musical groups Bloodshy and Avant, Miike Snow, Ingrid, and Galantis. He started his international music career as one half of the electro pop duo Bloodshy & Avant with Pontus Winnberg, producing and co-writing tracks for pop stars such as Madonna, BoA, Kylie Minogue, and Katy Perry. Bloodshy & Avant notably co-wrote and produced Britney Spears' single "Toxic", which earned them a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2005. While continuing to work with Bloodshy and Avant, Karlsson also became a member of the indie pop band Miike Snow around 2007. Miike Snow, the group's debut album, was released in 2009, and peaked at number 11 on the Top Electronic Albums chart in the United States. Miike Snow won the 2011 European Border Breakers Award, and their second album Happy to You reached No. 1 on the Belgian Heatseekers Albums Chart and 43 on the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicole Morier</span> American singer-songwriter and producer (born 1982)

Nicole "Coco" Morier is an American singer-songwriter and producer. She began her career in 2002 as one half of the electronic rock duo Electrocute before becoming a songwriter for artists including Britney Spears, Tom Jones, Selena Gomez, Ellie Goulding, Demi Lovato, and Icona Pop. Her best-known compositions include "Heaven on Earth" and "How I Roll", recorded by Britney Spears, the latter of which was named the #1 song of 2011 by Rolling Stone.

<i>Happy to You</i> 2012 studio album by Miike Snow

Happy to You is the second studio album by Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow. It was released in the United States on 13 March 2012 by Downtown Records and Universal Republic Records, and in the United Kingdom on 19 March 2012 by Columbia Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ingrid (record label)</span> Swedish record label, artist collective

Ingrid is a Swedish artist collective and record label founded in 2012. They released their first compilation on Record Store Day in 2012. The collective's musical work is notable for containing multiple side-projects by its members that do not adhere to the line-ups of their primary ventures; for example, Björn Yttling has a track entitled "Cuban Lips" under the stage name Yttling Jazz on the Ingrid Volym 1 compilation; however, he is also featured as a member of the band Smile along with Teddybears member Joakim Åhlund. All of the bands featured on the compilation are of this nature or are solo works. The record label has been managed by Niklas Hallberg since March 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black & Blue (Miike Snow song)</span> 2009 single by Miike Snow

"Black & Blue" is a song performed by the Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow. It was released as the second single from the band's 2009 album, Miike Snow on 15 October 2009 by Columbia Records. The song was written by the band with Henrik Jonback and Juliet Richardson. Band members Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg of the production duo Bloodshy & Avant had conceptualized the chorus before forming the band with Andrew Wyatt in 2007, but saved the idea for the Miike Snow project rather than offering it to another artist. "Black & Blue" is a blue-eyed soul and electronica song that is sung in a breathy falsetto style with piano and synthesizer instrumentation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silvia (song)</span> 2010 single by Miike Snow

"Silvia" is a song performed by Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow. Written and produced by the band, it is a six-minute electronic piano ballad that features drum and synthesizer instrumentation and electro house beats. Lyrically, it speaks of longing and lead singer Andrew Wyatt's vocals are edited with Auto-Tune. "Silvia" served as the third and final single from the band's 2009 self-titled debut album. Columbia Records first digitally released it as a remix extended play (EP) on 22 January 2010. Band members Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg contributed their own remix to the release, using the alias Robotberget.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paddling Out</span> 2012 single by Miike Snow

"Paddling Out" is a song by Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow from their second studio album, Happy to You (2012). It was released as the album's lead single on 23 January 2012 through Columbia, Downtown and Universal Republic. Written and produced by the band, the song was recorded in a studio previously occupied by Swedish pop group ABBA, which influenced its sound. Band member Pontus Winnberg dubbed the track an homage to dance floor disco. Musically, "Paddling Out" is a piano-driven electropop and house song with disco, Italo house and acid jazz elements, backed by a four on the floor beat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wave (Miike Snow song)</span> 2012 single by Miike Snow

"The Wave" is a song performed by Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow. It was released as the second single from the band's second studio album Happy to You (2012) on 14 May 2012, through Axtone, Columbia, Downtown and Universal Republic. The song was written and produced by the band. Musically, "The Wave" is an electropop song with marching band influences and autoharp, military drum and piano instrumentation. It features Swedish musician Gustav Ejstes on autoharp and the Swedish Army drum corps on military drums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miike Snow discography</span>

The discography of Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow consists of three studio albums, two extended plays (EPs), eleven singles, fifteen music videos, and ten remixes for other artists. Formed in Stockholm in 2007, the band consists of Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg of production duo Bloodshy & Avant and American vocalist Andrew Wyatt. The band began by sharing tracks and remixes on the free music website RCRD LBL that proved successful in the music blogosphere. The act preserved its anonymity by using a silhouetted jackalope avatar before revealing itself as a three-man band. The band released the debut studio album Miike Snow (2009) through Downtown Records to favorable reviews from music critics. The album spawned three commercial singles, two of which—"Animal" and "Black & Blue"—had moderate impact on charts in Belgium and the United Kingdom in 2009. The debut single "Animal" subsequently received a gold certification in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galantis</span> Swedish electronic music act

Galantis are a Swedish electronic music act currently consisting of producer Christian "Bloodshy" Karlsson. Formerly, it was a duo, alongside rising musician Style of Eye, until he decided to part ways with the project shortly after their sophomore album The Aviary in 2017. However, he made appearances in live performances and music videos as part of the project up until 2021.

<i>iii</i> (Miike Snow album) 2016 studio album by Miike Snow

iii is the third studio album by Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow. It was released in the United States on 4 March 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genghis Khan (Miike Snow song)</span> 2015 single by Miike Snow

"Genghis Khan" is a song performed by Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow from their third studio album, iii (2016). Written and produced by the band alongside Henrik Jonback, the song was conceived when lead singer Andrew Wyatt felt like a tyrant while in a long-distance relationship, comparing his cruelty to that of Mongolian emperor Genghis Khan. Wyatt did not want to commit to the relationship, while simultaneously not wanting her being involved with anybody else. Wyatt believed the public could relate to this irrational jealousy, recognizing it as a truth of human nature. Musically, "Genghis Khan" is an electropop song with funk and R&B influences and lyrics which see the protagonist likening his jealousy to the behavior of the Mongolian emperor.

Liv, stylized as liv, is a Swedish/American supergroup consisting of musicians Lykke Li, Andrew Wyatt and Pontus Winnberg of Miike Snow, Björn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John, and Jeff Bhasker, formed in 2016. Liv is the Swedish word for "life". Lykke Li has described the band as "the love child of ABBA and Fleetwood Mac." All band members are part of the Swedish artist collective Ingrid, which they spearheaded in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Trigger</span> Song performed by Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow from their third studio album

"My Trigger" is a song performed by Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow from their third studio album, iii (2016). Written and produced by the band, the song contains elements from J Dilla's "The Diff'rence" (2006), which samples "Fruitman" (1974) by Kool & the Gang. The writers of both compositions obtained writing credit. "My Trigger" is an electropop and indie pop song, the lyrics of which speak of spending a weekend with a stripper. Lead singer Andrew Wyatt also revealed that it comments on the sex industry in the United States. The song was released on 9 September 2016, through Jackalope and Atlantic as the third single from iii.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heart Is Full</span> 2015 single by Miike Snow

"Heart Is Full" is a song recorded by Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow for their third studio album, iii (2016). Written by the band alongside Vincent Pontare, the song contains elements from Marlena Shaw's 1967 recording of "Waiting for Charlie to Come Home", penned by Bob Hilliard and Burt Bacharach. "Heart Is Full" is an electropop and hip hop song with instrumentation provided by drums, horn and Wurlitzer electric piano. Described by the band as different from their other work, the song was selected as the album's lead single as vocalist Andrew Wyatt deemed it a "jarring reintroduction" following the band's three-year break. The single was released on 30 October 2015 through Jackalope and Atlantic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Heart of Me (song)</span> 2016 song by Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow

"The Heart of Me" is a song by Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow from their third studio album, iii (2016). Written and produced by the band, the song was initially issued as a buzz single on 19 February 2016, in anticipation of the album's release. Subsequently, Atlantic Records sent it to alternative radio in the United States on 15 November 2016, as the fourth and final single off the album. Musically, "The Heart of Me" is a synth-laden chillwave song with indie rock elements and emotional lyrics. It features background vocals by English singer Charli XCX.

References

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  2. ↑ "Café.se". Cafe.se. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
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  4. ↑ Liedel, Kevin (26 March 2012). "Miike Snow: Happy to You". Slant Magazine.
  5. ↑ Schriefer, Amy (2009). "The Decade in Music: Britney Spears' "Toxic" (2004) — NPR". NPR. National Public Radio, Inc.
  6. ↑ "Putting the I's in Miike Snow". Interview Magazine. 23 June 2009.
  7. ↑ Fitzharris, Dustin (24 September 2009). "Need to Know: Miike Snow". Out Magazine.
  8. ↑ "Q&A: Miike Snow". QTheMusic. 14 March 2012. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014.
  9. 1 2 Godman, Joey (1 June 2012). "Concert review and interview: Miike Snow at the Brixton Academy". The Upcoming.
  10. ↑ Paul Lester (26 May 2009). "The Guardian on Miike Snow's sound". London: Guardian. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  11. ↑ "Live Talking – Miike Snow | Clash Music Exclusive Interview". Clashmusic.com. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  12. ↑ "Winners of the 2011 European Border Breakers Awards" Archived 22 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine , ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 20 February 2012
  13. ↑ Defying Expectations With Dark Lyrics and a Dance Beat 25 April 2012
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  15. ↑ "Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
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  17. ↑ "New: Miike Snow – Paddling Out". Crack In The Road. 19 January 2012. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  18. ↑ "Devil's Work began..." Facebook. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  19. ↑ "Happy to You: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
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  21. ↑ "Miike Snow hopped on Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 show..." Hand Clap Movement. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  22. ↑ "Miike Snow - "The Wave" (Official Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  23. ↑ "Miike Snow release first new song in three years "Heart Is Full" — listen". Consequence of Sound. 29 October 2015.
  24. ↑ "Miike Snow Announce North American Tour, Premiere "Genghis Khan" Video".
  25. ↑ "Miike Snow announce US summer tour dates with Phantogram, Glass Animals, and Klangstof". Vaunter. Archived from the original on 21 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  26. ↑ "Shakey Knees 2024 Lineup" . Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  27. ↑ "Twitpic Miike Snow". Miike Snow. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  28. 1 2 3 Cowley, Pip. "Miike Snow Q&A". V Music. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  29. ↑ McKnight, Ren (28 March 2012). "10 Essentials: Miike Snow". GQ.
  30. 1 2 3 Miike Snow on Huge Synthesizer, New Album – Ultra Music Festival 2012 on YouTube
  31. ↑ Anas, Marielle (21 March 2012). "Miike Snow Celebrate New LP with Fervent New York Gig". Rolling Stone.
  32. ↑ "THE BLOB!!!". Miike Snow. 5 March 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2014.
  33. ↑ Glaser, Sam (1 August 2012). "Indie-electronic-dance trio Miike Snow building momentum". Las Vegas Weekly.
  34. 1 2 Robicheau, Paul. "Blob Mentality". The Improper Bostonian.
  35. ↑ Gahris, Ryan (12 April 2012). "Miike Snow produces a zero-gravity hubbub at the Roseland". Oregon Music News. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014.
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