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
Master Peace: “A Black guy making indie still makes people look at you sideways”
What Made Me — In this series, we ask artists and rebels about the forces and experiences that shaped who they are. Today, it’s indie sleaze revivalist Master Peace.
Written by: Master Peace
What we’re excited for at SXSW 2026
Austin 40 — For the festival’s 40th anniversary edition, we are heading to Texas to join one of the biggest global meetups of the year. We’ve selected a few things to highlight on your schedules.
Written by: Huck
Wu-Tang Clan forever, and ever
The Final Chamber — RZA, the spiritual leader of one of the most important hip hop groups of all time explains why they won’t rest until their legacy is secured.
Written by: Yoh Phillips
On The Mountain, Jamie Hewlett’s Gorillaz explore life after death
Going East — As everyone’s favourite animated band release their latest album, the visual artist behind it all catches up with Josh Jones to chat about the grief and spirituality underlining the record, as well as his learnings from how other cultures approach death and the afterlife.
Written by: Josh Jones
Lisette Model’s ’50s jazz pictures were nearly lost to McCarthyism
The Jazz Pictures — A landmark new book edited by Audrey Sands uncovers nearly 1,500 photographs from the genre’s golden age previously thought to be lost. Featuring the likes of Billie Holliday, Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong, they tell both a story of music and resistance in the face of oppression.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Analogue Appreciation: Murkage Dave
Brut Thoughts — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, alt-pop chronicler of modern life, Murkage Dave.
Written by: Murkage Dave
