Marion Elise Ravn(born 25 May 1984), better known asMarion Raven,is a Norwegian singer and songwriter. Raven formed the pop duoM2MwithMarit Larsen,though they ceased performing together in 2002. Raven was later signed as a solo artist byAtlantic Recordswith the release of her solo debut album,Here I Amin 2005. In 2006, Raven was signed to the indie record label,Eleven Seven,and in 2007 re-released the songs on her debut album along with a few new songs on an album titledSet Me Free.In 2012, Raven began production of her second album,Songs from a Blackbird,which was released in Norway on 8 April 2013.
Marion Raven | |
|---|---|
 Raven in Thailand (2007) | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Marion Elise Ravn |
| Also known as | Marion Ravn |
| Born | 25 May 1984 Lørenskog,Norway |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, musician, presenter, voice actress, actress |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Labels |
|
| Spouse |
Andreas Wiig (m.2013–2015) |
| Website | marionravn |
Raven has also written tracks for other artists such asPixie Lott.[2]She has also lent her voice to the Norwegian version ofTangled.
Early life
editRaven was born inLørenskog,Norway; her father is a teacher. She has an older brother and two younger sisters.[3]Her surname is ofNorseorigin, withRavnmeaningRaven,which she adopted as her stage name Marion Raven as well as her trademark raven logo. Raven enjoyed singing from a young age, sometimes writing lyrics for the songs she sang. Raven joined the gospel choir in a local church at the age of 5. At age 7, she went on to be part of the St. Laurentius choir, which has many historical links in Lørenskog, and was started in 1965 by, and is still being run by her vocal coach for several years, Kjell Walther Christensen. By the time she was eight, Raven began playing the piano and took piano lessons from Sif Anna Lisa Ødegård, married to Kjell Walther Christensen. She also attended ballet lessons, as well as performing ballet on stage. In 1993, she acted in the musical "Sound of Music", on the "Norwegian Broadway". She recorded a children's musical titled, "Vettene Vinner" (Vettene Wins), with the musical group, "Vettene", meaning "small trolls that protect nature", and was part of the group's record "Vettene på gamlespor" (Vettene on Old Tracks). At age 10, Raven acted in stage productions ofBugsy MaloneandThe Wizard of Oz
M2M
editIn 1995, Raven's father arranged for her to make a demo in a studio inOslo,together with her childhood friend,Marit Larsen.The duo got a record deal withEMINorway and formedM2M.A year later, they produced children album titled, "Marit og Marion synger kjente barnesanger" which means "Marit and Marion Sing Well-Known Children Songs". M2M was nominated for the Norwegian Grammy, Spellemannprisen, the following year.
In 1998, M2M started recording pop demos in English and struck a record deal withAtlantic Records.The two collaborated with many songwriters from around the world and produced their multi-platinum debut album,Shades of Purple,that was released in 2000, with the lead single, "Don't Say You Love Me"featuring on the soundtrack ofPokémon: The First Movie.The song was co-produced by Jimmy Bralower and Peter Zizzo (Celine Dion), and mixed byTom Lord-Alge.It peaked on theBillboardHot 100at No. 21, selling 39,000 units in a week, according to SoundScan.[4]Their second album,The Big Room,which was recorded in a studio inBearsvillein Woodstock, New York, was released in 2002. After world tours to promoteThe Big Roomended, M2M joinedJewelon herThis Wayworld tour as an opening act. M2M later disbanded in September 2002 after Atlantic removed them as the opening act for the rest of the tour.
Raven was offered a recording contract[5]withAtlantic Records,though the offer was later revoked.[6]She co-wrote "Pointless Relationship" that was the lead single of Australian singer,Tammin Sursok's debut album, 'Whatever Will Be'. She also collaborated on the track "That Day", a song released by Norwegian pop singer,Maria Arredondo,from Arredondo's 2004 follow-up albumNot Going Under,and co-wrote the song "Disconnected", a song included onLindsay Lohan's debut album "Speak"in 2004.
Solo career
edit2005:Here I Am
editUpon signing her deal withAtlantic Records,Marion Raven set about recording her debut album, and worked with Swedish songwriters/producersMax MartinandRami,as well as Canadian singer-songwriterChantal Kreviazukand her husbandRaine Maidafrom 2003 to 2005. Initially, the record company was not confident of Raven's switch to a more rock image and a darker, more personal style of songwriting.[7]Raven had to fight to record her kind of music, rock music with a pop element. The resulting 14-track list, including 2 bonus tracks, cultivated a more rock/pop sound and was titledHere I Am.The album saw Raven's transformation from the candy-pop music of M2M to a more angsty, rock-oriented singer, and was released in Scandinavia, Japan, Latin America and Southeast Asia.
Here I Amspawned three singles, "End of Me","Break You"and"Here I Am".Break Youholds the record as Raven's top-selling single internationally. All three singles were successful in the Asian region where she further promoted the album with a tour. The album was released in Raven's home country on 10 August 2005 debuting at No. 6.
2006–07:Set Me Free
editIn early 2006, it was announced that Raven quit her contract with Atlantic Records due to "artistic differences". Raven later confirmed that she was now signed to indie labelEleven Seven Music,which was created by her management 10th Street Entertainment.
Raven later performed a duet with rock musicianMeat Loafon a version of the song "It's All Coming Back to Me Now",released as the lead single from Loaf's tenth studio albumBat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loosein October 2006. The track peaked at No. 1 in Norway and reached the top ten in Germany and the United Kingdom.[8]Raven later joined Loaf on an extensive tour through Canada and Europe in February 2007.[9]
In 2004, she recorded the theme song for the US dub ofW.I.T.C.H.,aJetixanimated series based onthe comic of the same name.
Raven later confirmed that her new album would contain new and old tracks from her Norwegian debut as well as re-recorded tracks such as "Heads Will Roll", which received the help of American musicianNikki Sixxand was released as an EP in October 2006.[10]Prior to the release of Raven's albumSet Me Freein March 2007, she toured around The Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom to help promote it. Raven later embarked on another promotional tour across the UK and performed in British schools. Later between later July and August, she became a supporting act on American singer-songwriterPink'sI'm Not Dead Tourin Germany.[11]The album was later released in June 2007 and sprawled two singles; "Falling Away"and a re-release of her previous single"Break You"from her Norwegian debut album.
2008–2010:Nevermore
editIn 2008, Raven made a cameo appearance in the music video for the song "Saints of Los Angeles"by American heavy metal bandMötley Crüe.In 2010 she became a panellist judge on the Norwegian version of the talent showThe X Factorand later onNorwegian Idol.
Originally, Raven recorded her third studio albumNevermorein 2009 and penned it for a 2010 release, but due to the internal issues with her record labelEleven Seven Music,it was never released. It dropped two singles "Flesh And Bone" and "Found Someone" exclusively released in Scandinavia.
2012–2014:Songs from a Blackbird
edit
Marion later released the single "Colors Turn to Grey" in March 2012 and stated in October 2012 that she is working on material for a new album. In March 2013, Marion released the single "The Minute" from her second albumSongs from a Blackbird,which was released on 5 April 2013 in Norway. Being her first album in eight years,Songs from a Blackbirdmanaged to peak at No. 3 in Norway.[12]The album was further promoted with a third single – the track "Driving" – and a Norwegian Tour in 2013.
International Version
editBefore an international version released, Marion re-released "The Minute" for an international single via iTunes on 25 July 2014. In August and 31 October 2014, an international version ofSongs from a Blackbirdreleased worldwide and Australia, respectively. It incorporates a mixture of Norwegian version and three new songs from bothScandal Vol. 1andScandal Vol. 2.For Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Australia, it released physically whereas the worldwide, including Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Australia, it was only released via theiTunes Store.
2014–2015:Scandal Vol. 1andScandal Vol. 2
editIn January 2014, Marion announced plans to record her third studio album after signing withSony Music.The album's title was later announced asScandalwhile its release date was set to be in September 2014, later the album was divided in two parts,Scandal Vol. 1released on September 22, 2014, andScandal Vol. 2released on February 2, 2015[13]
2019:Mellom disse 4 vegger
editIn May 2019, Ravn released her first Norwegian-language single "Tyv".[14]In July 2019, she released "Fritt fall" as the second single from her Norwegian-language project.[15]The album,Mellom disse 4 vegger,was released on 11 October 2019.[16]The album features a duet withMagnus Grønneberg,with whom she collaborated with during theHver gang vi møtesseries.
Personal life
editRavn briefly datedZac HansonwhileM2Mwere on tour withHansonin 2000.[17]Ravn stated that the M2M song, Everything, was written about her break up with Hanson and her heartbreak after the tour finished and he did not call her.[18]A second song was written by Ravn about the relationship, which she called "Jack" instead of "Zac", and was released byPixie Lott.[2]
After years of dating, Ravn married professional snowboarderAndreas Wiigin 2013 and divorced in 2015.[19]
Hver gang vi møtes
editRaven also starred the second season of Norwegian reality TV showHver gang vi møtes,alongside other Norwegian music artistsMorten Abel,Ole Paus,Anita Skorgan,Magnus Grønneberg,Kurt NilsenandLene Marlin.[20]
Marion Raven performances from other guest artists during the series were:
- "Casanova" (Originally recorded by Anita Skorgan)
- "Bullet Me" (Originally recorded by Morten Abel)
- "Unforgivable Sinner" (Originally recorded by Lene Marlin)
- "Never Easy" (Originally recorded by Kurt Nilsen)
- "Når Du Sover" (Originally recorded by Magnus Gronneberg)
- "Nerven I Min Sang" (Originally recorded by Ole Paus)
Fellow artists who sang Raven / M2m songs onHver gang vi møtes – Marion Raven's Daywere:
- "Found Someone" Covered by: Lene Marlin
- "For You I'll Die" Covered by: Anita Skorgan
- "Here I Am" Covered by: Magnus Gronneberg
- "Don't Say you Love Me" was originally recorded byM2Mand Covered by: Ole Paus
- "Girl In your Dreams" was originally recorded by M2M and Covered by: Morten Abel
- "Everything" was originally recorded by M2M and Covered by: Kurt Nilsen
Other projects
editRaven has written several songs for other artists including:
- (2004) "Completely In Love" for Norwegian pop-rock singer Tommy Michaelsen's albumCompletely in Love.
- (2004) "That Day" for Norwegian pop singerMaria Arredondo's album,Not Going Under.
- (2004) "Pointless Relationship" for Australian singerTammin Sursok's album,Whatever Will Be.
- (2004) "Disconnected" for American singerLindsay Lohan's albumSpeak
- (2007) "Jack" for British singerPixie Lott's debut album,Turn It Up.
- (2009) "Forgot His Name" recorded byTanita Kolsåsfor theX FactorNorway series.
- (2009) "It's Not Over" recorded by May Kronfeld also known as May K, a music video is available for this song.
- (2010) Raven's song "In Spite of Me" included on her debut albumHere I Amwas covered by Swedish pop-rock singerErik Grönwallfor his second albumSomewhere Between a Rock and a Hard Place.
- (2011) Marion voiced the role of Rapunzel in the Norwegian dub ofDisney's movieTangled.
- (2016) Marion also voiced the role of Poppy for the Norwegian dub ofDreamWorks Animation's movieTrolls.
- (2017) Marion got the role ofEponinefor the Norwegian staging ofLes Misérables,the play will be premiered on September 8, at theHotel FolketeateretinOslo.[needs update]
- (2017) Marion repeats her role ofRapunzelfor the Norwegian dub ofTangled,this time for the animated TV Series.
- (2024) One of two hosts ofMelodi Grand Prix 2024,the Norwegian selection for Eurovision Song Contest 2024
Awards and nominations
edit- In 2005 Raven was nominated for the Nordic Music Award with her albumHere I Amheld in Norway.
- Raven was nominated for the "Best Norwegian Act" at theMTV EuropeMusic Awards 2006.[21]
- In 2015 Raven won the award for 'Best International Act' at the "Musik Fach-Awards" 2015, Raven was also nominated in the category of "Album of the Year" and performed an acoustic version of her single "The Minute" during the ceremony.
Tours
edit| Year | Tour | Areas | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-late 2005 | Here I AmPromo Tour | Japan, Norway, Southeast Asia | Headlining |
| Early-mid-2007 | Meat LoafSeize the Night Tour / Three Bats Live Tour | Canada, US, Europe | As supporting act |
| July–August 2007 | PinkI'm Not Dead Tour | Germany | As supporting act |
| November–December 2011 | Kurt NilsenChristmas Tour | Norway | Supporting act/Special guest |
| October 2013 | Marion RavnNorwegian Tour | Norway | Headlining |
| February–March 2015 | Lionel RichieAll the Hits All Night Long | Europe | Supporting act |
| February–April 2015 | Marion RavenScandal Tour | Norway | Headlining |
| February–March 2018 | Marion RavnAkustisk Turné | Norway | Headlining |
Charity appearances
edit- Raven performed in the President Star Charity Concert in Singapore while on tour in mid-late 2005.
- Raven performed at the NorwegianSalvation Army,LillestrømCharity Concert and thePink ribbonShow in Oslo, Norway in late 2005.
- Raven performed in Mainz-Kastel, Reduit for theUNICEFbenefit show to raise funds to support Africa in September 2007.
- Raven performed alongside 2006 winner of Idol Norway,Aleksander Denstad With,at the Norwegian "Idol Gives Back" show in December 2007.
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOR [22][23] | |||
| Here I Am |
|
6 | |
| Heads Will Roll |
|
— | |
| Set Me Free |
|
— | |
| Nevermore |
|
— | |
| Songs from a Blackbird |
|
3 | |
| Scandal, Vol. 1 |
|
24 | |
| Scandal, Vol. 2 |
|
26 | |
| Mellom Disse 4 Vegger |
|
3 | |
| Ti Ville Hester |
|
||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
Singles
edit| Year | Single | Peak positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOR |
SWE | |||
| 2005 | "End of Me" | — | — | Here I Am |
| "Break You" | 9 | 51 | ||
| "Here I Am" | 20 | — | ||
| "Little by Little" | — | — | ||
| 2006 | "Heads Will Roll" | — | — | Heads Will Roll EP |
| 2007 | "Falling Away" | — | — | Set Me Free |
| "Break You"(re-release) | — | — | ||
| 2010 | "Flesh and Bone" | — | — | Nevermore (unreleased) |
| "Found Someone" | — | — | ||
| 2012 | "Colors Turn to Grey" | — | — | Songs from a Blackbird |
| 2013 | "The Minute" | — | — | |
| "Driving" | — | — | ||
| 2014 | "In Dreams" | — | — | Scandal, Vol.1 |
| "You'll Get Up Again" | — | — | ||
| 2015 | "Better Than This" | — | — | Scandal, Vol.2 |
| "Kicks In" | — | — | ||
| 2019 | "Tyv" | — | — | Mellom Disse 4 Vegger |
Other appearances
edit| Year | Single | Peak positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOR [24] |
AUT | NED | SWI | |||
| 2006 | "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" (withMeat Loaf) |
1 | 17 | 15 | 21 | Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose |
References
edit- ^"Heads Will Roll".AllMusic.Retrieved16 July2020.
- ^ab"Got a date with a Pixie".nationthailand.13 December 2012.Retrieved23 June2021.
- ^"Profile for Marion Raven".Bebocom. 23 October 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 26 February 2017.Retrieved29 March2013.
- ^Norway Portal (2003)."M2M 2 The Top".Norway.Retrieved7 April2007.[dead link]
- ^VG.No (2005)."News of Marion Ravn's Million-dollar Contract".vg.no. Archived fromthe originalon 21 February 2009.Retrieved15 October2006.
- ^"Her bryter Marion sammen i tårer over M2M-dagboken".Verdens Gang.9 February 2013.Retrieved1 October2015.
- ^Suzilasari Salleh (2005)."Marion Raven – A Solo Comeback".Theurbanwire. Archived fromthe originalon 30 December 2006.Retrieved18 April2007.
- ^Norway-Culture (2007)."It's All Coming Back To Me Now chart listing".Culture.Retrieved10 December2006.
- ^Sperounes, Sandra (2007)."Big portions of Meat served-Meat Loaf 2007 Canada tour".The Edmonton Journal.Archived fromthe originalon 27 March 2007.Retrieved5 March2007.
- ^Anne Carlini (2007)."The Call of The Raven Is Upon Us".Exclusive Magazine.Retrieved26 June2007.
- ^Marion Raven (2007)."Tour dates".marion-raven. Archived fromthe originalon 3 July 2007.Retrieved30 June2007.
- ^Marion Raven [@marionraven] (11 February 2013)."@ciara_vay singel i Mars og album i April!:)"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
- ^"Marion Ravn Showcase | Sony Music Norge".Archived fromthe originalon 24 May 2014.Retrieved2014-05-23.
- ^Tyv,retrieved11 October2019
- ^Fritt fall,retrieved11 October2019
- ^Mellom disse 4 vegger,retrieved11 October2019
- ^"Barnestjerne hardt skadd i ulykke".SE(in Norwegian). 6 October 2019.Retrieved23 June2021.
- ^Lorentzen, Arne-Petter (9 February 2013)."Skrev sang om Hanson-kjæresten".Se og Hør(in Norwegian).Retrieved23 June2021.
- ^"Marion Ravn synger om tiden etter skilsmissen: - Jeg har sakte, men sikkert bygd opp mitt eget liv igjen".KLIKK(in Norwegian). 16 May 2019.
- ^"In the studio.... - Marion Ravn".Archived fromthe originalon 7 April 2014.Retrieved2013-01-01.
- ^Gibson X-Press (2005)."Ravin' on Raven".Gibson.Retrieved7 April2007.
- ^"Discography Marion Raven".norwegiancharts.Hung Medien.Retrieved5 October2014.
- ^"Discography Marion Ravn".norwegiancharts.Hung Medien.Retrieved5 October2014.
- ^"NorwegianCharts Marion Raven discography page".Norwegiancharts.
External links
edit