Jenny Hval

1.1. Childhood and education

Born on July 11, 1980, Jenny Hval embarked on an academic journey that would shape her creative output. She studied at the University of Melbourne in Australia, where she specialized in creative writing and performance. This interdisciplinary education provided a strong foundation for her later work, blending literary depth with a performative artistic approach.

1.2. Early musical activities

Before establishing herself as a solo artist, Hval was actively involved in several bands. Until 1999, she served as the vocalist for Shellyz Raven, a gothic metal band. During her studies in Australia, she continued her musical endeavors as a vocalist for two other bands, iPanic and Folding For Air. With Folding For Air, she collaborated with Thomas McGowan and released an EP titled Are you afraid of heights? in 2004. These early experiences provided a varied musical background, from gothic metal to more experimental group work.

2.1. Debut and early solo work

Upon her return to Norway, Jenny Hval launched her solo recording career with the release of her debut EP, Cigars, in 2006. This early work earned her a nomination for a Spellemannprisen, which is often considered the Norwegian equivalent of the Grammy Awards, in the "best newcomer" category. Following this, Hval began releasing music under the alias Rockettothesky, signing with Trust Me Records. Under this moniker, she released two studio albums: To Sing You Apple Trees in 2006 and Medea in 2008. The album Medea achieved charting success, reaching position 20 on the VG-lista, Norway's official music chart.

2.2. Evolution as Jenny Hval

After the release of Medea, Jenny Hval transitioned to creating music under her birth name. She signed with the label Rune Grammofon, under which she released Viscera in 2011 and Innocence Is Kinky in 2013. Viscera peaked at position 24 on the VG-lista chart, while Innocence Is Kinky reached position 31.

In 2015, Hval released her critically acclaimed fifth studio album, Apocalypse, Girl, through New York City's Sacred Bones Records. This album was widely praised for its provocative and compelling approach to art-pop. The following year, in 2016, she released Blood Bitch, a notable concept album that drew influences from vampires, menstruation, and 1970s horror films. Blood Bitch received significant recognition, earning the Phonofile Nordic Music Prize in 2017. The judges lauded the album, describing it as "engrossing, atmospheric, challenging and thought-provoking." During this period, Hval's solo music was frequently characterized by critics as avant-garde, art-pop, and a distinctive form of experimental folk music.

2.3. Collaborations and recent works

Jenny Hval has expanded her musical footprint through various collaborative endeavors and continued to release compelling solo material. In 2012, she partnered with Håvard Volden to form Nude on Sand, releasing a self-titled album. Two years later, in 2014, she collaborated with Susanna Wallumrød, resulting in the album Meshes of Voice, which was released on Wallumrød's SusannaSonata label. Hval also embarked on a tour supporting the acclaimed musician St. Vincent.

Her collaboration with Håvard Volden evolved into Lost Girls, a project whose name was inspired by the eponymous graphic novel. Under this moniker, they released the EP Feeling in 2018, followed by their first full-length LP, Menneskekollektivet, in 2021, which garnered universal critical acclaim. Lost Girls continued their work with the album Selvutsletter, released in October 2023.

Hval's seventh solo album, The Practice of Love, was released in September 2019. This album featured guest vocals from artists such as Vivian Wang (formerly of The Observatory), Australian singer-songwriter Laura Jean, and French experimental musician Félicia Atkinson. A planned tour to promote the album in North America was subsequently cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her eighth solo album, Classic Objects, released in March 2022, also received universal critical acclaim, cementing her reputation for consistent innovation. A new solo album, Iris Silver Mist, is scheduled for release in May 2025.

3.1. Background and debut

Hval's journey into writing was informed by her academic pursuits in literature. After her studies, she worked as a freelance columnist and writer, a period that helped refine her narrative voice and thematic interests. Her debut novel, `Perlebryggeriet<sub>Paradise Rot</sub><sup>Norwegian</sup>`, was published in 2009. This work later gained international recognition when an English edition, titled Paradise Rot: A Novel, was translated by Marjam Idriss and released by Verso Books in October 2018.

3.2. Major literary works

Following her debut, Hval continued to produce significant literary works. Her second novel, `Inn i ansiktet<sub>Into the Face</sub><sup>Norwegian</sup>`, was published in Norway in October 2012. In 2018, she released her third novel, `Å hate Gud<sub>Girls Against God</sub><sup>Norwegian</sup>`. This novel also received an English translation by Marjam Idriss and was published by Verso Books under the title Girls Against God in October 2020. Hval's novels, much like her music, are known for their intricate exploration of complex philosophical and social themes, often delving into topics such as the body, identity, and the subversion of conventional norms, which aligns with her broader artistic and critical perspective.

4.1. Musical style and themes

Hval's music is known for its avant-garde qualities, seamlessly blending elements of art-pop with experimental folk music. Her compositions are often characterized by their intricate soundscapes and unconventional structures, reflecting a continuous desire to push artistic boundaries. Thematic exploration is central to her work, with recurring subjects including androgyny, particularly inspired by 1980s pop music, the human body, and various aspects of horror. These themes are often approached with a critical and introspective lens, challenging societal norms and delving into philosophical questions about identity and existence. Her lyrics are frequently poetic and layered, demanding engaged listening.

4.2. Influences and artistic approach

Jenny Hval's artistic approach is deeply informed by her influences and academic background. She has cited Kate Bush as a significant inspiration, expressing particular admiration for Bush's ability to embody diverse perspectives in her songwriting. This influence is notably evident in Hval's appreciation for the music video for Bush's song "Cloudbusting", which features Bush portraying a young boy, highlighting Hval's interest in themes of gender fluidity and performance.

Furthermore, Hval's academic work has directly shaped her creative methodology. In her Master's thesis, titled The Singing Voice as Literature, she conducted an in-depth analysis of the sound poetry within Kate Bush's music. In this academic endeavor, Hval explored how lyrics and music can be understood as interconnected literary components, rather than discrete parts of a song. Her unique spoken-word delivery in her musical pieces has also drawn comparisons to the experimental compositions of Laurie Anderson, highlighting Hval's position within a lineage of artists who challenge conventional musical forms and prioritize intellectual and conceptual depth.

5.1. Studio albums

As Rockettothesky

As Jenny Hval

With Lost Girls