Tove Styrke

Tove Styrke

Tove Styrke is a Swedish electropop singer, songwriter, pianist and model from Umeå, Sweden. Her full name is Tove Anna Linnéa Östman Styrke. She begins her solo career after appearing on Swedish Idol 2009, where she finishes in third place.

Early life and background

She grows up in a musical family. Her father, Anders Östman, is a musician who has a Swedish number one hit in the 1970s and later opens a music store after ending his touring career. He introduces her to guitar, although she prefers piano, encouraged by her grandfather, who teaches piano. Her mother, Anna, is a former dancer and ballet instructor who manages a ballet academy and enrols her in dance classes at an early age. She has an older sister and a younger sister.

Before her solo career, she performs as a vocalist in a local jazz band during her high school years and also models for various publications.

Idol and solo career

Styrke is discovered by Anders Bagge during the Swedish Idol 2009 tour. On the show she performs songs by Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, The Killers, The Sounds, David Bowie, Elvis Presley, U2, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Katy Perry, Sandi Thom, Eurythmics, Russ Ballard, Ted Gärdestad and Bobby Darin. She places third, after Calle Kristiansson and winner Erik Grönwall.

After the competition, she signs to Sony Music in December 2009. Her first single, “Million Pieces”, is written by Adam Olenius of Shout Out Louds and Lykke Li and is released in June 2010. Her self-titled debut album follows in November 2010 and is produced by Patrik Berger, Lotus & 2manyfreckles, Peter Ågren, Janne Kask and Paw. Many of its tracks are written by Styrke with Patrik Berger, Peter Ågren and Janne Kask.

Notable releases and recognition

“White Light Moment”, the second single from her debut album, reaches number 5 on the Swedish singles chart and is certified gold. In January 2011 she wins Best Newcomer at P3 Guld. The High and Low EP follows at the end of February 2011 and includes “High and Low (2011 Remake)” plus five remixes.

In April 2011, she appears in an IKEA commercial performing the Swedish lullaby “Byssan Lull”. The single “Call My Name” is released in August 2011 and reaches number 28 on the Swedish Singles Chart. It is nominated for Best Song of the Year at P3 Guld. In September 2011, the Swedish band Caotico releases “Brains Out (with Tove Styrke)”, and she appears in the song’s video.

Her EP Borderline is issued in November 2014, and her second album, Kiddo, follows in June 2015. She is also known for the singles “Borderline” and “Ego”.