Previously published on:

There’s a palpable energy between band members Carline Hjelt and Aino Jawo of Icona Pop. Backstage before a recent show at Terminal 5 in New York City, energy is high and the fridge is full of beer. When a stage manager asks if they’d prefer cider, a conversation ensues about the fact that they’re Swedish so “regular beer will do, thank you very much.” A bag of greasy takeout sits in the corner untouched as the girls get ready for what will be a pumped up show. In 2012 the Swedish duo sky-rocketed to cult band status after single “I Love It” hit the airwaves.

Icona Pop, I Love It

It quickly became the angry girl’s anthem for a broken heart. While they weren’t quite as pissed off as Alanis Morissette in her video for “You Oughta Know,” they reminded us that angry, broken hearts are way more fun than sitting at home sad. Here, before opening up for songstress Marina and the Diamonds, they open up about how they met, boy bands and beyond.