Tess Mattisson
Tess Mattisson | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Therese Mattisson |
| Born | 13 February 1978 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden |
| Origin | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Genres | Eurodance, Pop, Dance-pop |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Website | www |
Therese "Tess" Mattisson (born 13 February 1978) is a Swedish singer and dancer, best known as the lead vocalist of the Eurodance group La Cream in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She has also had a solo career and worked as a backing vocalist and dancer for several prominent Swedish artists.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
[edit]Tess Mattisson was born in Solna, near Stockholm, Sweden, on 13 February 1978. Her mother is of Swedish and Belgian descent, and her father is of Finnish and Indian heritage, giving her a diverse ethnic background.[1] Details about her early childhood and education are limited, but it is known that she developed an interest in music and dance from a young age. She reportedly studied French for three years, indicating an interest in languages and potentially international cultures.[1]
Mattisson began her professional career in the mid-1990s as a dancer and backing vocalist for established Swedish music acts. She gained experience touring and performing with popular Eurodance and pop groups such as Rob'n'Raz, Dr. Alban, Basic Element, and Drömhus.[1] This early work provided her with valuable industry experience and exposure to the Swedish music scene, particularly within the thriving Eurodance genre of the time.
La Cream (1997–2001)
[edit]Mattisson's breakthrough came in 1997 when she became the frontwoman of the newly formed Eurodance group La Cream. The group, formed by producers Anders Bagge and Peer Åström, quickly gained popularity in Scandinavia and across Europe with their catchy melodies and energetic sound. Tess Mattisson's powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence were key components of La Cream's success.
La Cream released a string of successful singles featuring Mattisson, including "Château d'Amour" (1997), which introduced them to audiences, followed by their breakthrough hit "You" (1998). "You" became a major hit in Scandinavia, reaching number 12 on the Swedish Singles Chart and number 3 in Norway.[2] [3] Further hits from their debut album Sound & Vision (1999) included "Say Goodbye" and "Free," solidifying their position in the Eurodance scene. Sound & Vision showcased their signature sound, blending upbeat rhythms, melodic synths, and Mattisson's distinctive vocals.
In 2000, La Cream continued their success with singles like "Justify My Love," "Viva L'Amor," and "One Love," further exploring the Eurodance formula while also experimenting with slight pop influences. However, by 2001, after releasing the single "Stay," La Cream's initial run came to an end. Tess Mattisson subsequently embarked on a solo career.
Solo Career (2001–present)
[edit]Following the disbandment of La Cream, Tess Mattisson signed with Virgin Records and launched her solo career. Her debut solo album, One Love to Justify, was released in 2001, showcasing a slightly more mature and pop-oriented sound compared to her work with La Cream, while still retaining danceable elements. The album included some of her previously released solo singles like "Justify My Love" and "One Love" alongside new material. While the album and singles received some attention, they did not achieve the same level of chart success as La Cream's releases.
After a period of relative quiet in terms of major releases, Mattisson returned to the music scene in 2004 with the single "The Second You Sleep," followed by "Breathless" in 2005. These singles displayed a continued evolution of her sound, incorporating elements of contemporary pop and dance music. "Breathless" was particularly successful, reaching number 8 on the Swedish Singles Chart, demonstrating her enduring popularity in her home country.[2]
In more recent years, Tess Mattisson has continued to perform and release music, though details on her activities are less readily available in English-language sources. She remains active in the Swedish music scene, performing at various events and potentially working on new projects. Further research into Swedish music media might reveal more about her recent work.
Musical Style and Influences
[edit]Tess Mattisson's musical style is primarily rooted in Eurodance and pop music. As the vocalist for La Cream, she became known for her strong and clear vocals, perfectly suited to the energetic and melodic nature of the genre. Her solo work has explored a broader range of pop and dance-pop styles, sometimes incorporating influences from contemporary R&B and electronic music. Her vocal delivery is often described as powerful and emotive, capable of conveying both the upbeat energy of dance tracks and the more introspective moods of pop ballads.
While specific musical influences are not widely documented, her work within the Eurodance genre places her alongside artists like Ace of Base, Aqua, and Vengaboys, who were prominent in the late 1990s and early 2000s Eurodance scene. Her solo work suggests an appreciation for contemporary pop artists as well.
Legacy and Impact
[edit]Tess Mattisson, primarily through her work with La Cream, is remembered as a significant figure in the Swedish and Scandinavian Eurodance scene of the late 1990s and early 2000s. La Cream's hits like "You" and "Say Goodbye" remain popular and are often featured on retro Eurodance playlists and radio stations. Her music has also gained a following within the Dance Dance Revolution and StepManiaX community, introducing her songs to a new generation of listeners through video games.
While not achieving mainstream global superstardom, Tess Mattisson carved out a successful career in the music industry, both as part of La Cream and as a solo artist. Her contributions to Eurodance and Swedish pop music are recognized by fans of the genre, particularly in Scandinavia and Europe.
Discography
[edit]Album
[edit]- Sound & Vision (as La Cream, 1999)
- One Love to Justify (2001)
Singles
[edit]| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWE [2] |
NOR [3] | |||||||||||||
| 1997 | "Château d'Amour (as La Cream) | |||||||||||||
| 1998 | "You" (as La Cream) | 12 | 3 | |||||||||||
| 1999 | "Say Goodbye" (as La Cream) | 21 | 9 | |||||||||||
| "Free" (as La Cream) | 12 | — | ||||||||||||
| 2000 | "Justify My Love" | 18 | 4 | |||||||||||
| "Viva L'Amor" | 23 | — | ||||||||||||
| "One Love" | 58 | — | ||||||||||||
| 2001 | "Stay" | — | — | |||||||||||
| 2004 | "The Second You Sleep" | 12 | — | |||||||||||
| 2005 | "Breathless" | 8 | — | |||||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||||||||||||
Video games
[edit]Tess has a total of 2 songs which appear in the Dance Dance Revolution arcade series. StepManiaX also features these songs, plus "Confusion".
| Song | Arcade game | StepManiaX availability | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAX | MAX2 | SMX | ||
| "Justify My Love" | 
|
|
|
June 17, 2020 |
| "Stay" |
|
|
July 24, 2020 | |
| "Confusion" |
|
November 28, 2020 | ||
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Biography at tess.nu (in Swedish)
- ^ a b c Sverigetopplistan - Sveriges Officiella Topplista, accessed on 2011-04-09 (in Swedish)
- ^ a b norwegiancharts.com, accessed on 2015-02-06
External Links
[edit]- Official website
- Tess Mattisson discography at Discogs
- Tess Mattisson at AllMusic
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