Norway 
Label Focus: T’s Box w/ Terry Hunter Interview
10 years ago
Annie, born Anne Lilia Berge Strand, is a Norwegian singer, songwriter, record producer, and DJ who has achieved international acclaim for her electropop and synth-pop sound, collaborating with notable producers and earning multiple music awards.
Annie signed a record deal with Britain's 679 Recordings in 2003, releasing her debut album, Anniemal, in 2004, for which she received widespread critical acclaim and several Norwegian music awards.
In January 2007, Annie signed an international deal with Island Records, owned by Universal Music Group.
Annie released a new single, "Anthonio", via producer Richard X's Pleasure Masters label in May 2009.
In August 2009, Pitchfork announced that Don't Stop would be released via independent label Smalltown Supersound and Annie's own label Totally Records. She continued to put out occasional work on the Norwegian label Smalltown Supersound and her latest song 'The Sky is Blue' was released (2024).
In August 2009, Pitchfork announced that Don't Stop would be released via independent label Smalltown Supersound and Annie's own label Totally Records.
Annie signed a record deal with Britain's 679 Recordings in 2003, releasing her debut album, Anniemal, in 2004, for which she received widespread critical acclaim.
Moving from the Norwegian Telle label, based in her hometown of Bergen, she signed to 679 Records to release her debut album – “Anniemal”.
Anne Lilia Berge Strand, known professionally as Annie, was born on November 21, 1977, in Trondheim, Norway. Her early life included moving to Bergen at age 13 with her mother, who was an English and religion teacher, after her father, a church organist, passed away from cancer. Annie began her musical journey by singing in choirs and later formed an indie rock band called Suitcase, which performed only once before she departed due to differing musical directions, as the other members wished to pursue trip hop. During this period, Annie immersed herself in Bergen’s music scene, connecting with producer Mikal Tellé and house producer Tore Andreas Kroknes, professionally known as DJ Erot, who would become both her romantic partner and musical collaborator.
Annie launched her solo recording career in 1999 with the single “Greatest Hit.” This track, co-created with Kroknes and inspired by Madonna, quickly sold out its limited 500-copy release and established itself as an underground club hit in Norway and the UK. Their collaboration continued with plans for a full album, but the project was interrupted by Kroknes’ untimely death in 2001 from a congenital heart defect at the age of 23. Following a period of hiatus and grief, Annie returned to music in late 2001, focusing on DJing and songwriting. She co-founded the club night Pop Till You Drop in Bergen, featuring acts like Peaches and DJ Adam Mac, and contributed vocals to tracks by Op:l Bastards.
In 2003, Annie signed with British label 679 Recordings, leading to the release of her critically acclaimed debut album, “Anniemal,” in 2004. The album featured collaborations with Timo Kaukolampi, Richard X, and Röyksopp, and included hit singles like “Chewing Gum” and “Heartbeat,” both recognized by Pitchfork in their Top 50 Singles of 2004. “Heartbeat” notably reached the number one spot on the list. Her initial album success was followed by several awards in 2005, including Best Pop Album and Best Newcomer at the Norwegian Alarm Awards, and a prestigious Best Newcomer award at the Spellemannprisen. Annie continued to evolve her career, releasing her second studio album, “Don’t Stop,” in 2009 independently after parting ways with Island Records. She has continued to release EPs like “The A&R EP” (2013) and “Endless Vacation” (2015), and her third studio album, “Dark Hearts,” in 2020. Her latest offering, “The Sky is Blue,” a trance-influenced single, was released in August 2024.
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