| Matelda Hanköjons | |
 | |
| Hanköjons performing in 2015 in Ubenmoor. | |
| Born | Matelda Hanköjons 3 March 1990 Ubenmoor, Lashardia |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter |
| Musical Career | |
| Genres | Lashpop, pop rock, alternative pop, art pop |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Love In Stereo |
Matelda Irina Hanköjons (born 3 March 1990) is a Lashardian singer and songwriter.
Hanköjons first achieved mainstream popularity in 2010, with the release of her debut studio album Dreaming Out Loud. The album combined the Lashpop genre with symphonic artsy anthemic pop, and was both a critical and commercial success. It produced the hit singles "All My Life" and "Play".
Following the release of her debut album, Hanköjons was diagnosed with breast cancer and took a hiatus from music. In 2015, she went into remission and announced the news with the release of the single "Dragon". The song became a number-one hit throughout the continent and made Hanköjons a household name. Her second studio album Fly With Me was later released, topping the charts as well.
Life and career[]
Early life[]
Matelda Hanköjons was born on 3 March 1990 in the Jorden district of Ubenmoor into a bohemian family. Her father, Hank, worked as an independent filmmaker while her mother, Andromeda, was a fashion designer-turned-painter. She has a little brother named Wolf. The family was middle class.
Hanköjons attended primary school in Ubenmoor, and excelled both in academics and arts. At the age of 14, she spent a year living in Manessa, Pesa doing volunteer work and attending school there. She graduated from primary school in 2005 as the valedictorian of her class, and against her teachers' wishes decided not to attend high school in order to begin working as a musician professionally.
2008–2012: Breakthrough and Dreaming Out Loud[]
Hanköjons performing in 2011.
After leaving school, Hanköjons began doing small shows around Ubenmoor, performing both original songs and covers. She assisted her mother and father with their respective work, but at the age of 17 decided to stop because she was not as interested in film or painting as she was in music.
In 2008, at the age of 18, Hanköjons signed a recording contract with record label Love In Stereo Records, being the first pop singer signed to the primarily rock and alternative-focused label. In 2010, she released her debut single "All My Life", which charted in the Top 10 of Lashardia and Pesa. Her debut studio album Dreaming Out Loud was released the following year, and reached number-two on the Lashardian albums chart, while peaking at number-one in Pesa. The album also produced the singles "Play" and "Blind".
2012–2015: Cancer diagnosis and hiatus[]
In autumn 2012, Hanköjons revealed in an open letter that she'd be taking a hiatus from music due to her recent breast cancer diagnosis. The news was heavily reported by Lashardian media outlets. Hanköjons frequently kept her fans updated on her condition through social media and maintained a presence in the media during this time.
2015–present: Fly With Me and continued success[]
Hanköjons performing in 2015.
In early 2015, Hanköjons surprise-released the lead single from her upcoming second album "Dragon", and subsequently revealed she had went into remission. The song reached number-one in four countries and established Hanköjons as a household name.
Her second studio album Fly With Me was released later the same year and also peaked at number-one in four countries. The album also contained the hit single "Last Girl On Earth".
Personal life[]
Hanköjons currently lives in Jorden, Ubenmoor in an apartment with her close friend and fellow musician Alia Lion. She is openly bisexual, and has been in a relationship with model Kloe Amberönuggin since 2011.
Discography[]
Studio albums[]
| Year | Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAS | ADR | CON | PES | ||||
| 2011 | Dreaming Out Loud |
|
2 | – | – | 1 |
|
| 2015 | Fly With Me |
|
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
|
Singles[]
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAS | ADR | CON | PES | ||||
| "All My Life" | 2010 | 7 | – | – | 9 |
|
Dreaming Out Loud |
| "Play" | 2011 | 4 | – | – | 2 |
| |
| "Blind" | 2012 | 78 | – | – | – | ||
| "Dragon" | 2015 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
|
Fly With Me |
| "Last Girl On Earth" | 2 | 15 | 19 | 1 |
| ||
Awards and nominations[]
| Year | Event | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Lashardian Music Awards | Breakout Artist | — | Nominated |
| 2015 | Lashardian Music Awards | Artist of the Year | — | Won |
| Best Female Artist | — | Won | ||
| Best Pop Song | "Dragon" | Won | ||
| Best Pop Album | Fly With Me | Won | ||
| Adoriam Music Awards | Best International Female Artist | — | Nominated | |
| Asmatic Music Awards | Best Lashardian Musician | — | Nominated | |
| LRI Song of the Year | Song of the Year | "Dragon" | Won |