Don’t let the stage name confuse you: Mr. Little Jeans is actually a Ms., and she doesn’t wear denim all that often. Instead the budding pop star, born Monica Birkenes, took her pseudonym from a character in the movie Rushmore. “You know the Indian guy?” she asks. “The one who does all the Wes Anderson movies? It’s him—that’s his name in the film. He makes me smile every time.”

Born and raised in the woodsy, seaside town of Grimstad, Norway, Mr Little Jeans spent her childhood immersed in music, be it the sounds of her mother’s guitar or Simon & Garfunkel records. She grew up in the church choir, learned piano and guitar, amassed singing competition wins throughout the Norse countryside. Absorbing early influences ranging from Mariah Carey, PJ Harvey and Massive Attack, she sublimated and synthesized the ability to sing in a way that makes you freeze, as though time was momentarily stopped and you’re unsure whether you want to dance or ruminate.