Biography

Amanda Jenssen is one of Sweden’s leading artists and one, that in comparision to most of her peers, really has what it takes to break internationally. Besides the raw talent, looks and attitude — with “Hymns For The Haunted” her third album — she now also now has gained the experience of the process of being a recording, touring and platinum selling artist in her home country.

It’s wild, boundless and expressive music that admittedly thrives in Sweden, but that could clearly step onto the great stages in Paris, Rome, Las Vegas, Berlin, London, New York and, in the best sense of the expression, “kill it”.
Bold and big words no doubt , but the songs and the voice are worth them.

— This album sounds much more like a film score. I really like it, it’s theatrical, weird, surreal and dangerous, says Amanda.

It’s been three years since the last album, “Happyland” (2009)— an album loved by critics and fans alike. It went on to win two Swedish Grammis for “Female Artist of the Year” and “Best Composer”.
Then, Amanda dubbed her music “Gangster Jazz”. Now, with her new album she calls it both “Voodoo Jazz” and “Jungle Jazz”. There is no denying the “voodoo” or the “jungle”. The “jazz” reference is, without a doubt, also viable. She uses every colour found on her palette; every instrument at once, the horn players blowing with utmost pressure — big band style, the string arrangements, the rock guitars, the castanets etc… every kind of sound — at least most of the time — fits into her blend.

Dramatic and striking, in short cinematic. Like Ennio Morricone or John Barry, to name two soundtrack composers of rank.

— A lot of great music has been made with only guitar, bass and drums. But I feel that when I have access to so much more, why stop there? says Amanda.
It you are forced to pigeonhole her into one genre — it can only be “pop”. Her pop however doesn’t look at radio formats and dislikes limitations of genre.

In terms of musical preferences Amanda Jenssen is an old soul in a young woman’s body.
Two years ago when Amanda was 21, she hosted the infamous Swedish radio show “Summer in P1”. Her playlist consisted only of artists from a generation shared by her grandparents or yet by her great—great grandparents. One artist she chose to play was Édith Piaf (1915—1963). On the new album, it is as if Amanda has walked along the banks of the Seine hand in hand with the reincarnation of Edith Piaf, and sung the song “Light and Easy”, including French accordion and all.
Add jazz and blues singers like Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as 60’s acts like Velvet Underground, Kinks, Beatles and Bob Dylan, and you get the idea of the musical foundation on which Amanda stands.
— 60’s music had the nerve, it provoked and it had gorgeous melodies. It broke new ground and I think that is still heard today. Today you hear contemporary music all the time — as soon as you go into a department store — you can’t avoid it. It is easy to like something you are always exposed to— you do it without thinking. I want to make my own choices. I have always been very sure of what I like.
You should be able to recognize that it is Amanda when you hear her music.
— The last thing anyone wants is an album that sounds as if it’s already been made.

One has to go abroad to find a contemporary artist with similar expression. Adele. There is a conformity in the temperament of their music and in the vibrance of their voices. Amanda has nothing against the comparison at all.
— Adele writes damn good songs, and has one of the greatest voices of our time, she says.

On the new album Amanda shares songwriting credits with both longtime songwriter/producer Pär Wiksten (Wannadies) and for the first time with internationally accalimed songwriter/producer Björn Yttling (Peter Bjorn and John, Lykke Li). Both contributing to roughly half the songs on the album.

— My new album sounds different, but it’s not something I planned. I really needed the time after I stopped touring with “Happyland” to reflect. If I had tried to hasten the process it would have been like picking unripe fruit. I realized I had to wait until the fruit was ripe. Then I picked it, says Amanda Jenssen.

Amanda Jenssen’s “Hymns For The Haunted” is out on Epic/Sony Music.

Also available by the artist:
“Happyland” 2009
“Killing My Darlings” 2008