MØ (singer)

MØ

MØ performing at Way Out West in Gothenburg, Sweden, August 2014
Background information
Birth name Karen Marie Ørsted
Born 13 August 1988
Odense, Denmark
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
Years active 2012–present
Labels
  • Chess Club
  • RCA Victor
Website www.momomoyouth.com

Karen Marie Ørsted (born 13 August 1988), better known by her stage name MØ (pronounced: Moe), is a Danish singer and songwriter signed to Sony Music Entertainment. Born in Odense, MØ has been compared to electropop artists such as Grimes and Twin Shadow.[1] Besides being an acronym for her middle and last initials, the word mø means "maiden" or "virgin" in Danish.[2] In November 2014, she won four awards at Danish Music Awards: "Breakthrough Artist of the year", "Record of the Year", "Solo Artist of the Year" and "Music Video of the Year". Her debut album, No Mythologies to Follow, was released in 2014.[3] She made her mainstream debut in November 2014 featuring on Iggy Azalea's song "Beg for It". The song peaked on the US Billboard Hot 100 at No. 27, giving MØ not only her first top-forty hit, but also her first ever entry on the chart .[4] MØ featured on Major Lazer's internationally successful single "Lean On", which peaked at number one in Australia and in the top-ten in additional sixteen countries including New Zealand and France.

Career

2007–12: MOR

MØ and her friend Josefine Struckmann formed the punk duo MOR in 2007, and released two extended plays, Fisse I Dit Fjæs and Vanvidstimer, in 2009 and 2011, respectively. MOR disbanded on 7 September 2012.[5]

2012–present: No Mythologies to Follow

MØ performing at Way Out West in August 2014

In 2012, MØ began creating a cappella pop songs and began collaborating with producer Ronni Vindahl.[6] On 14 January 2013, MØ released her debut single "Glass".[7] On 15 March 2013 she released "Pilgrim" with B-side "Maiden".[8] Pilgrim was recognized as P3s Uundgåelige (P3 Unavoidable), a label given to rising artists by Danish radio station DR P3, as it peaked at number eleven on the Danish Singles Chart.[9][10] On 27 March 2013, she performed live on television for the first time at the Danish P3 Guld Awards.[11]

On 7 June 2013, she released the single "Waste of Time".[12] On 18 August 2013, it was confirmed through manager Ash Pournouri that MØ had co-written and provided vocals for Swedish DJ/producer Avicii's song "Dear Boy" which was later featured on his debut album, True.[13] On 30 August 2013, she released the single "XXX 88"[14] MØ's first extended play, Bikini Daze, was released on 18 October 2013.[15] In October 2010, she supported AlunaGeorge on UK tour dates.[16] The single "Don't Wanna Dance" debuted on BBC Radio 1 on 16 January 2014 as Zane Lowe's Hottest Record.[17]


MØ's debut studio album, No Mythologies to Follow, was released on 7 March 2014.[18] On the review aggregate site Metacritic, the album has a Metascore of an 77 out of 100 indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[19] Music blog Pretty Much Amazing called the album "complex and euphoric", while The Guardian noted that "what [MØ] lacks in originality, she makes up for with warlike ardour".[20][21]

MØ began touring in Europe and the United States in support of the album, ending in June. On 2 June 2014, she made her US television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where she performed the songs "Don't Wanna Dance" and "Pilgrim".[22] "Walk This Way" was released on 16 June 2014 as a single from No Mythologies to Follow.[23] On 23 June, MØ announced additional United States and Canadian tour dates beginning in September.[24]

In 2014, MØ was featured on Australian rapper Iggy Azalea's song "Beg for It", which was released as the lead single from Azalea's reissue album, Reclassified.[25] Azalea and MØ performed the song for the first time on Saturday Night Live on 25 October.[26]

MØ also co-wrote the song "All My Love" by Major Lazer, featuring vocals from American singer-songwriter Ariana Grande.[27] MØ co-wrote and provided vocals for another Major Lazer song, "Lean On" featuring DJ Snake, which was released on 1 March 2015.[28][29]

In early 2015, it was announced that MØ would perform at the Boston Calling Music Festival in May 2015. [30]

Musical style

MØ's music has been described as "electro music with guts". Her work has been compared to various artists, including Siouxsie Sioux and Janet Jackson.[31]

MØ was seven when she became interested in music thanks to the Spice Girls.[32] As a teenager, she became interested in punk music and anti-fascist movements, listening to Black Flag, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and especially Sonic Youth, saying she looked up to Kim Gordon as a "big hero and role model".[33]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
DEN
[9]		 BEL
(FL)
[34]		 BEL
(WA)
[35]		 FRA
[36]		 IRE
[37]		 UK
[38]
No Mythologies to Follow 2 107 83 161 76 58

Extended plays

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US Heat.
[39]
Bikini Daze
  • Released: 18 October 2013[15]
  • Label: Chess Club, RCA Victor
  • Format: Digital download
 11

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
DEN
[9]		 BEL
(FL)
[34]		 UK
[40]
"Glass" 2013 — — — No Mythologies to Follow
"Pilgrim" 11 — —
"Waste of Time" — — —
"XXX 88" (featuring Diplo) — —[upper-alpha 1] —
"Don't Wanna Dance" 2014 25 —[upper-alpha 2] —
"Say You'll Be There"[41] — — 170
"Walk This Way" 33 — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
AUS
[42]		 CAN
[43]		 UK
[44]		 US
[45]
"One More"[46]
(Elliphant featuring MØ)		 2014 — — — — One More
"Beg for It"
(Iggy Azalea featuring MØ)		 29 44 111 27 Reclassified
"Lean On"[47]
(Major Lazer and DJ Snake featuring MØ)		 2015 1 39 6 72 Peace Is the Mission
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

Title Year Artist Album
"Dear Boy" 2013 Avicii True

Music videos

Title Year Director
"Glass" 2013 Casper Balslev[49]
"Let the Youth Go Mad" (Broke featuring MØ) Ian Isak Ploug Ochoa[50]
"Pilgrim" (MS MR Remix) Esben Weile Kjær[51]
"Waste of Time" Anders Malmberg[52]
"XXX 88" (featuring Diplo) Tim Erem[53]
"Don't Wanna Dance" 2014 Georgia Hudson[54]
"Walk This Way" Emilie Rafael[55]
"One More" (Elliphant featuring MØ) Tim Erem[56]
"Lean On" (Major Lazer & DJ Snake featuring MØ) 2015 Tim Erem[57]

Notes

  1. ↑ "XXX 88" did not enter the Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 42 on the Flemish Ultratip chart.[34]
  2. ↑ "Don't Wanna Dance" did not enter the Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 59 on the Flemish Ultratip chart.[34]

References

  1. ↑ Lester, Paul (12 October 2012). "New band of the day: MØ (No 1,371)". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  2. ↑ "Interview, MØ : A tomboy chasing dreams". Crumb Magazine. 19 March 2013.
  3. ↑ "Reviews for No Mythologies to Follow by MØ". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  4. ↑ Wass, Mike (October 10, 2014). "Iggy Azalea Is Going To Perform On 'SNL' And Release 'Beg For It' (Featuring Mø) As Her Next Single". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Facebook: MOR retirement announcement". Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Bitch Slap Magazine: Ronni Vindahl Interview". Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Glass – Single by MØ". iTunes Store (DK). Apple. Archived from the original on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  8. ↑ "Pilgrim – Single by MØ". iTunes Store (DK). Apple. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Discography MØ". danishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  10. ↑ "P3s Uundgåelige". Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  11. ↑ SR.dk: P3 Guld Prisen
  12. ↑ "Waste of Time – Single by MØ". iTunes Store (DK). Apple. Archived from the original on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  13. ↑ "Ash Pournouri on Twitter". Twitter.
  14. ↑ "XXX 88 (feat. Diplo) – Single by MØ". iTunes Store (DK). Apple. Archived from the original on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Bikini Daze – EP by MØ". iTunes Store (DK). Apple. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  16. ↑ "Facebook: AlunaGeorge/MØ tour dates". Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  17. ↑ Whitehill, Gaby (17 January 2014). "Listen: MØ reveals new single 'Don't Wanna Dance' from debut album". Gigwise. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Mo – No Mythologies To Follow (CD)". Tower Records Ireland. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  19. ↑ "Metacritic: No Mythologies to Follow Reviews". Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  20. ↑ "Pretty Much Amazing: No Mythologies to Follow Album Review". Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  21. ↑ "The Guardian: No Mythologies to Follow review – MØ goes to battle over love". Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  22. ↑ Geslani, Michelle (3 June 2014). "Watch: MØ make her American TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  23. ↑ "Youtube: Walk This Way Official Video". Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  24. ↑ "Facebook: MØ Fall 2014 Tour Announcement". Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  25. ↑ Daw, Robbie (24 October 2014). "Iggy Azalea And MØ's "Beg For It": Listen To The Lead 'Reclassified' Single". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  26. ↑ "Iggy Azalea Will Be On 'SNL' With A New Single". MTV News. Viacom. 13 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  27. ↑ "Major Lazer – “All My Love” (Feat. Ariana Grande)". Stereogum. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  28. ↑ "Major Lazer & DJ Snake - Lean On (feat. MØ) (Official Lyric Video)". March 1, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  29. ↑ Beauchemin, Molly. "Diplo's Major Lazer Share New Track "Lean On", Featuring MØ and DJ Snake". Pitchfork. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  30. ↑ Ollman, Jonah. "Boston Calling Announces May 2015 Lineup". Sound of Boston. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  31. ↑ Levine, Nick (5 July 2013). "MØ - Waste Of Time". Retrieved 5 August 2014. she's like a cross between Siouxsie Sioux and '90s Janet Jackson
  32. ↑ Amendt, Sander (24 June 2014). ""Society waits for nobody" – Pop's newest outsider MØ interviewed". Electronic Beats. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  33. ↑ "MØ - Interview: DSCVR ONES TO WATCH". Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 "Discografie MØ" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  35. ↑ "Discographie MØ" (in French). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  36. ↑ "Discographie MØ" (in French). lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  37. ↑ "Discography MØ". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  38. ↑ "MO" (SELECT "ALBUMS" TAB). Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  39. ↑ "Heatseekers Albums: Week of February 1, 2014". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  40. ↑ Peak chart positions for singles in the United Kingdom:
  41. ↑ "Say You'll Be There – Single by MØ". iTunes Store (DK). Apple. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  42. ↑ Peak chart positions for singles as featured artist in Australia:
    • "Beg for It": "Discography MØ". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  43. ↑ Peak chart positions for singles as featured artist in Canada:
  44. ↑ Peak chart positions for singles as featured artist in the United Kingdom:
  45. ↑ Peak chart positions for singles as featured artist in the United States:
  46. ↑ "One More (feat. MØ) – Single by Elliphant". iTunes Store (DK). Apple. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  47. ↑ "Lean On (feat. MØ & DJ Snake) – Single by Major Lazer". iTunes Store (US). Apple. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  48. ↑ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  49. ↑ Knight, David (14 February 2013). "Mø 'Glass' by Casper Balslev". Promo News. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  50. ↑ Hill, Sam (6 March 2013). "Broke feat MØ 'Let The Youth Go Mad' by Ian Isak Ploug Ochoa". Promo News. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  51. ↑ "MØ – Pilgrim (MS MR Remix) (2013)". IMVDb. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  52. ↑ "MØ – Waste Of Time (2013)". IMVDb. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  53. ↑ Knight, David (17 September 2013). "Mø Feat. Diplo 'XXX 88' by Tim Erem". Promo News. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  54. ↑ Brown, Jimmy (29 January 2014). "MØ 'Don't Wanna Dance' by Georgia Hudson". Promo News. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  55. ↑ "mø, walk this way". i-D. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  56. ↑ Beauchemin, Molly (23 September 2014). "Elliphant and MØ Make Out, Fight, Piss in the Street in Their "One More" Video". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  57. ↑ Vainaxa, Josep (23 March 2015). "Major Lazer & DJ Snake “Lean On” (featuring MØ) (Video Premiere)". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 16 April 2015.

External links

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