Mr Little Jeans
- Text by HUCK HQ
- Photography by Mr Little Jeans
After stealing her moniker from a bit character in Wes Anderson’s cult classic Rushmore, Mr Little Jeans demonstrates she has a talent for finding pieces of pop culture ephemera and reinventing them in her own image. MLJ’s cover of ‘The Suburbs’ injects the Arcade Fire anthem with moody synths and haunting vocals that give the track a whole new energy, making it unmistakably her own. But the new album Pocketknife is packed with original songwriting that reveals a talent for intelligent, offbeat lyricism.
Who is Mr Little Jeans?
Hello! My name is Monica Birkenes and I’m a girl from Norway. I sing and I write what some might consider electro-pop. My partner in crime has been Tim Anderson for the most part, but I’ve also worked with other producers along the way. Maybe this could go on my OK Cupid profile?
How has your move to LA had an effect on your life and music?
There’s a lot of amazing talent and music going on in LA, which is a luxury to be able to take advantage of. In other ways, I wear a lot less clothes than I used to, which is nice!
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far as an artist?
Paying my bills. When I first started out with Mr Little Jeans I kept getting a lot of great opportunities and it was a challenge to keep making music (sometimes in different countries), and pay rent at the same time. It still is!
What are your major inspirations?
Everyday people living everyday lives. Being brave, stupid, smart or just human. As far as music goes I get inspired by different things all the time. A bass line there, a melody line here, a drum sound, somebody’s voice in a certain register… Little things like that can be very inspiring.
You’ve breathed a new life in ‘The Suburbs’. What attracted you about the song and how do you feel you’ve brought your own personality to the track?
I loved the song itself and felt I could do a whole different take on it. Hopefully my voice and the sounds I added is enough to make it sound like “me”.
What are your plans for the future?
Album release and album release show. That’s as far as I got with my planning!
Check out Mr Little Jeans’ rad new album, Pocketknife.
You might like
The dreamy, surfy sounds of Cactus for Breakfast
Vitamin B — The Berlin-based band blends eclectic lyrics and influences spanning The Ventures, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard and Fela Kuti into a swirl of garage psych. We caught up with them as they brought their jubilant live show to Huck’s showcase on the final night of SXSW London.
Written by: Roxana Diba
Huck's SXSW gig was a sweat-soaked rager
Huck it's so hot: At Village Underground for SXSW London’s final night, Huck co-curated a bill featuring Honey I’m Home, Cactus For Breakfast, Master Peace and shame – here's what went down.
Written by: Ella Glossop
Analogue Appreciation: Balming Tiger
Gongbu — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, it’s K-pop experimentalists Balming Tiger.
Written by: Balming Tiger
Horst Festival is a blueprint for a creative, collective future
Hymn — Highlighted by an engrossing performance directed by Fallon Mayanja, the 2026 edition was a showcase of ASIAT Park’s ever-evolving space as an incubator for art, music and creativity.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien: “Technology’s evolution on the human psyche is a massive problem”
Blue Morpho — With the release of his second solo album, the songwriter and guitarist explores analogue rawness, spirituality and pulling himself out of a dark place. D’Arcy Doran caught up with him at SXSW to find out more.
Written by: D’Arcy Doran
New film spotlights London’s Bubble Club, the party by people with learning disabilities
Radically inclusive clubbing — Produced by Muddled Marauders and currently fundraising for completion, the feature documentary focuses on the inclusive night, which has been in operation since 2005.
Written by: Roxana Diba
