Jj (band)
Encyclopedia
jj are a band that release music through the Gothenburg
-based independent label Sincerely Yours
, which was founded by the Swedish pop group The Tough Alliance
. The band consists of Joakim Benon and Elin Kastlander.
" in early 2009 and a couple of months later they released their debut album jj n° 2
. Both the debut single and the debut album received a Best New Music inclusion from Pitchfork Media
with ratings of 8 and 8.6 respectively.
On December 24, 2009 it was announced that the American record label Secretly Canadian
had signed jj to their roster. At the same time, the release date for jj's second full length album was slated. The album, named jj n° 3
, was released in the United States and Sweden on March 9, 2010. jj will work with both Sincerely Yours and Secretly Canadian, depending on the location, and has therefore not left Sincerely Yours for Secretly Canadian.
Aside from their official releases, jj has also done several covers and new takes on contemporary songs. For example, they've recorded covers of Akon's
"Troublemaker
", Jeremih's
"Birthday Sex
" and the "Theme Song" for the Welcome Back, Kotter
tv-series. All of these were released for free on the internet, making it similar to a mixtape.
From March to April 2010, jj was on a nationwide tour in the United States
with the British
band The xx
. Following the US tour, jj went on a minor tour through Europe
with dates in Italy
, France
and Belgium
among others.
jj's next release, following jj n° 3
, was a mixtape named Kills
. It was released as a free download on December 24, at Sincerely Yours website. "Let Them", an early version of "Kill Them" from Kills, was released on October 12.
In February 2011, jj was invited to perform in Hong Kong and Singapore. Their live set in Singapore was recorded, and the first track performed that night "Let Them" (acoustic) was later released for free at 4imaginaryboys website under the single "jj Live in Singapore".
In late March 2011, jj collaborated with fellow Swedish artist Yves Saint Lorentz to make an official remix of Rebecca & Fiona's single "Bullets". The remix was named "The End of the World".
jj's song "My Life" from jj n° 3
was featured in an official trailer for Battlefield 3
that was released in April 2011.
In summer 2011, jj collaborated with the American R&B singer Ne-Yo
and released the song "We Can't Stop" as part of the Adult Swim Singles Program 2011
.
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
-based independent label Sincerely Yours
Sincerely Yours (record label)
Sincerely Yours is a Gothenburg based independent record label formed in 2005 by the Swedish electronic pop duo The Tough Alliance. The duo created the record label after they left their former label Service...
, which was founded by the Swedish pop group The Tough Alliance
The Tough Alliance
The Tough Alliance, or TTA, was an electronic pop music duo from Gothenburg, Sweden. The duo first came together in 2003 and consists of childhood friends Henning Fürst and Eric Berglund...
. The band consists of Joakim Benon and Elin Kastlander.
History
jj released their debut single "jj n° 1Jj no. 1
"jj n° 1" is the debut single by jj, and also their very first release, hence "jj n° 1". The single was released as a 7" vinyl on the Swedish record label Sincerely Yours on March 26, 2009. The first track from the single received a Best New Music inclusion from Pitchfork Media and a rating of 8....
" in early 2009 and a couple of months later they released their debut album jj n° 2
Jj no. 2
-Track listing:*Note: The vinyl edition features the bonus track "Pure Shores".*Note: "Ecstasy" uses elements of Lil Wayne's "Lollipop".-Top lists:jj n° 2 appeared on several internet publications lists of best albums of 2009. Some include:...
. Both the debut single and the debut album received a Best New Music inclusion from Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
with ratings of 8 and 8.6 respectively.
On December 24, 2009 it was announced that the American record label Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana. It was started in 1996 by Chris and Ben Swanson, Eric Weddle, and Jonathan Cargill. Their first release was a re-issue of an album by June Panic...
had signed jj to their roster. At the same time, the release date for jj's second full length album was slated. The album, named jj n° 3
Jj no. 3
-Track listing:*Note: The vinyl edition features the bonus track “I Know".*Note: "My Life" is a cover of Game's "My Life".-Music video:A music video for the song "Let Go" was released on February 24, 2010 on Sincerely Yours website. The music video was directed by Marcus Söderlund and was shot in...
, was released in the United States and Sweden on March 9, 2010. jj will work with both Sincerely Yours and Secretly Canadian, depending on the location, and has therefore not left Sincerely Yours for Secretly Canadian.
Aside from their official releases, jj has also done several covers and new takes on contemporary songs. For example, they've recorded covers of Akon's
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
"Troublemaker
Troublemaker (Akon song)
"Troublemaker" is the second of three promotional singles from Akon's third studio album, Freedom. The track features additional vocals from Sweet Rush. It was released as a digital download only single via iTunes on December 13, 2008. The track debuted at #97 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on the...
", Jeremih's
Jeremih
Jeremiah Felton who performs under the mononym Jeremih , is an American recording artist and producer signed to Def Jam Recordings. Jeremih's debut single, "Birthday Sex" , peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100...
"Birthday Sex
Birthday Sex
"Birthday Sex" is the debut single by American recording artist Jeremih. It is the lead single from his debut album, Jeremih. The song was written by Jeremih and Keith James and produced by Mick Schultz. "Birthday Sex" peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop...
" and the "Theme Song" for the Welcome Back, Kotter
Welcome Back, Kotter
Welcome Back, Kotter was an American television sitcom starring Gabe Kaplan and featuring a young John Travolta.It originally aired on the ABC network from September 9, 1975 to June 8, 1979.-Premise:...
tv-series. All of these were released for free on the internet, making it similar to a mixtape.
From March to April 2010, jj was on a nationwide tour in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
band The xx
The xx
The xx are an English indie pop band, formed in London in 2005. The band's members met while studying at Elliott School, the same school that produced Hot Chip, Burial and Four Tet. They became a trio when their second guitarist and keyboardist, Baria Qureshi, departed in late 2009. In September...
. Following the US tour, jj went on a minor tour through Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
with dates in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
among others.
jj's next release, following jj n° 3
Jj no. 3
-Track listing:*Note: The vinyl edition features the bonus track “I Know".*Note: "My Life" is a cover of Game's "My Life".-Music video:A music video for the song "Let Go" was released on February 24, 2010 on Sincerely Yours website. The music video was directed by Marcus Söderlund and was shot in...
, was a mixtape named Kills
Kills (mixtape)
"Kills" is a mixtape by jj, released on Christmas Eve 2010.-Background:The mixtape was first mentioned by Elin from jj in a video interview for Swedish National Television while on tour in Europe. The title for the mixtape was though never revealed...
. It was released as a free download on December 24, at Sincerely Yours website. "Let Them", an early version of "Kill Them" from Kills, was released on October 12.
In February 2011, jj was invited to perform in Hong Kong and Singapore. Their live set in Singapore was recorded, and the first track performed that night "Let Them" (acoustic) was later released for free at 4imaginaryboys website under the single "jj Live in Singapore".
In late March 2011, jj collaborated with fellow Swedish artist Yves Saint Lorentz to make an official remix of Rebecca & Fiona's single "Bullets". The remix was named "The End of the World".
jj's song "My Life" from jj n° 3
Jj no. 3
-Track listing:*Note: The vinyl edition features the bonus track “I Know".*Note: "My Life" is a cover of Game's "My Life".-Music video:A music video for the song "Let Go" was released on February 24, 2010 on Sincerely Yours website. The music video was directed by Marcus Söderlund and was shot in...
was featured in an official trailer for Battlefield 3
Battlefield 3
Battlefield 3 is a first-person shooter video game developed by EA Digital Illusions CE and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released in North America on October 25, 2011 and in Europe on October 28, 2011 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and EA Mobile confirmed a port for...
that was released in April 2011.
In summer 2011, jj collaborated with the American R&B singer Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
and released the song "We Can't Stop" as part of the Adult Swim Singles Program 2011
Adult Swim Singles Program 2011
Adult Swim Singles Program 2011 is a series of free download single releases in which the Cartoon Network franchise Adult Swim released a song from a different artist every Tuesday from June 6, 2011 to August 2, 2011 after the success of the first series entitled Adult Swim Singles Program 2010....
.
External links
- Official blog
- Sincerely Yours
- Secretly Canadian
- jj at Allmusic
- jj at FacebookFacebookFacebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
- jj at MyspaceMyspaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- jj at Last.fmLast.fmLast.fm is a music website, founded in the United Kingdom in 2002. It has claimed 30 million active users in March 2009. On 30 May 2007, CBS Interactive acquired Last.fm for UK£140m ....
- jj at MetacriticMetacriticMetacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...