One just cannot ignore the sheer brilliance of Scandinavian musicians. Although many of these are Swedish, Norway has not lagged behind.
Photo: Tore Sætre
One of these amazing artists I recently came across is Metteson. Imagine a love child between Abba, Lady Gaga and Robyn. Imagine theatrical melodies that move between fluttering faeries and dark goblins lurking in the shadows. Of course it is not just about music, but Metteson is a cataclysmic synergy of sound and art.
Metteson was born Sverre Breivik and was raised in the small coastal town of Moss, just over forty kilometres south of Oslo. The name Metteson literally mean “Son of Mette”, which is the name of his mother. From an early age already, he was very creative and enrolled in a number of theatre and music groups. Later on, he studied at the National Academy of the Arts in Oslo. Since his graduation, he worked as repertory actor at the National Theatre in Bergen. At this time, he realised that acting gave him less space as an artist and he started venturing into song writing. “I got tired of speaking other people’s words and singing other people’s songs”.
One of the last pieces he was involved in was as the leading role in the stage production of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, which deals with homosexuality in the ‘80s during the AIDS crisis.
At the age of eighteen, he experienced the impact that music can have on people and ended up kissing his boy crush during a performance of Heaven by Emeli Sandé. In an interview with The Guardian, he recalls the moment: “I wasn’t on drugs, but I was as high as I’ve ever been and I had what was sort of my first sexual experience. But the day after, I got brutally dumped when he told me that he was in love with someone else. The picture of the night before exploded and cracked.”
He went on to watch Lana del Rey sing Summertime Sadness and was crying all himself. “Both those of those songs have stuck with me. They’re emotional triggers and I wallow in them. I just love when music really pushes experiences to another level.”
“I can remember knowing from a very early age that I was different and that I liked boys; wearing women’s clothing and sensing that was, in some way, wrong. Talking about being in the closet, he says: “It wasn’t a prison, but I regret it. Now I’m discovering the joy and the pleasures of being young.”
In 2021 he released his debut EP called Convince Me which included the amazing track Hold Me Like You Hold Your Favourite Book. Since then, he has released a string of songs, including Second Heart, a love letter to the iconic female singers that he grew up with and the very moving Under Your Shirt. He also had the chance last year to perform his ballad Never Let Me Go at a show that marked fifty years of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Norway.
“I feel like I’m becoming more and more experimental and liberated. I was very strict with myself and restricted my expression – a natural way to behave when you are protecting yourself – but I am proud of the perseverance and strength I’ve shown through those early years and that’s what has laid the foundation that I’m now dancing on. But I would say: You don’t have to be happy/smile. Allow yourself to fall in love with the straight boys and find time to cry more often!”
His colourful synth-pop also caught the attention of Christine and the Queen, and he was invited to play at her Meltdown festival. Since then, he has worked with the Edvard Munch gallery on an installation during Oya festival in Oslo, where fans were invited to engage with his music and fashion designer Freidrich Floen’s fashion creations. “Being queer informs my fashion choices, my imagery and the way I express myself. I hope I have a sensibility that is open to otherness. I want my concerts to be spaces where people can feel whatever it is that they need to feel.”
Metteson sees songwriting as an outlet for his queerness. He loves to push boundaries through his music and performances. Sas a cis artist, he loves to use drag to showcase his artistry, by combining the silly with the more serious. In an interview with Metal Magazine he says: “I’ve been wearing dresses since kindergarten. I’ve always questioned why women’s clothes so often have much more elaborate details, flow, and nicer, more exciting fabrics. I just feel comfortable with clothing taking up space and having a say. It’s also nice to showcase designer’s work. I’ve worked a lot with Friedrich Floen, who made the infamous starfish hat. He’s a brilliant costume designer who most often work for opera and theatre. We met when I was studying drama. It’s my favourite accessory for sure. I’m not a big star, but I can wear one.”
As part of his merchandise, he also has a pair of white briefs with the word “Harder” on the bum cheek. He loved adding these to his collection, since white briefs are a classic, but he felt it needed a proud, tramp, camp stamp on it!
In 2024, he also released his first full length album Look To A Star, which includes the brilliant track Put It To Sleep. The video of the song was choreographed by his boyfriend Ole, who also stars in the video as a one-man microphone stand!
Metteson said about the album title: “You look to a star for hope. You look to a star and feel insignificant. You look to a star to remember your loved ones and past loves. You look to a star, and you are blinded”.
Source: Gay Pages Edition 2 of 4, 2024
