The 10 Best Fictional Bands & Artists from TV & Film, according to Jouska

"I wish I was in this band growing up..."

After releasing a debut album as a duo, Jouska returned back in February as the solo project of Norwegian singer-songwriter-producer and Sassy 009 band mate Marit Othilie Thorvik with 'Suddenly My Mind Is Blank'. A magical, inward-looking body of work, Jouska's boundary-pushing second album combines musical expansiveness with deep personal intimacy, allowing Thorvik a way to express herself while additionally providing a sense of closure.

Away from her musical escapades, Thorvik is also a big film fanatic. Ahead of her debut headline London performance at Stoke Newington's The Waiting Room on Wednesday March 15, we sat down with the musician to uncover her favourite fictional bands and acts across the world of TV and film. From alien opera singers to fugitive rock bands, this is a brilliantly curated, imaginative list from one of the most exciting up-and-coming acts about.

1. Jeremiah Sand (from the movie “Mandy” 2018)

"Jeremiah Sand is the main antagonist in one of my favourite movies 'Mandy'. He is the evil leader of a religious cult called Children of the New Dawn but he is also a failed rockstar. I remember being completely mesmerised by the character and this song is one of the most bewitching, terrifying songs I know. Jeremiah Sand actually released an album ‘Lift it Down’ in 2020, supposedly recorded in the mid-’70s."

2. Boyzvoice (From the movie “Get Ready to be Boyzvoiced” 2000)

"Boyzvoice is a fictional boy band made by Norwegian comedian Espen Eckbo. The movie ‘Get Ready to be Boyzvoiced’ is a mockumentary following the band, their fans and management in the early 2000s. Growing up, I actually thought the band was real and I was really shocked when I found out it was a parody! The group was really popular in Norway and this song in particular was one of my favourite songs when I was a kid."

3. Diva Plavalaguna (From the movie ‘The Fifth Element’ 1997)

"Diva Plavalaguna is an alien opera singer in the cult movie 'The Fifth Element'. I saw this film when I was just a kid and to this day I don’t actually know how I feel about it, but what I do know is that Diva Plavalaguna is one of the most captivating and epic creatures I’ve ever seen and this particular scene will be glued to my mind forever."

4. Lady Parts (From the TV series “We Are Lady Parts” 2021)

"I stumbled across this TV show randomly one day and binged it all in one night. Lady Parts is an all-female, Muslim, post-punk band. I love how this show challenges stereotypes, using punk music as a way of exploring a range of these women’s identities. It’s a silly and charming show and I highly recommend watching it!"

5. Backgammon (From the movie “Sound of Metal” 2019)

"If you haven’t watched it yet, Sound of Metal is a movie about a drummer going deaf. Riz Ahmed does an amazing job portraying the drummer Ruben and I find the opening scene with his band Backgammon really powerful. I wish they were a real band and that I could go to one of their shows."

6. Bandits (From the movie “Bandits” 1997)

"Bandits is a German film from 1997 where four female convicts form a rock band while incarcerated. When they're given the opportunity to perform outside of the prison, they manage to escape! Then they tour across the country, playing concerts and evading capture. Much of the soundtrack was written and performed by the actresses themselves, which is really cool."

7. Unnamed Punk Band (From the movie “We Are The Best!” 2013)

"We Are The Best! is a really underrated movie about three young girls growing up in the early ‘80s Stockholm. Despite that two out of three have no instruments or musical talent, they form a punk band. This song is one of the most beautiful songs I know and I get really melancholic when I watch this movie. I wish I was in this band growing up."

8. Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes

"Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes is an alien band in Star Wars, also known as ‘the cantina band’. An obvious one that had to make the list. I actually didn’t watch the original Star Wars trilogy before I was in my 20s, and this charming gang was one of the highlights."

9. The Soronprfbs (From the movie “Frank” 2014)

"Another obvious choice. The Soronprfbs is an eccentric pop group led by Frank (Michael Fassbender) who always wears a giant fake head. In the movie, Frank is portrayed as a musical genius, but he clearly has some mental health issues making him difficult to work with. It also makes it really hard for him to make it as an artist. It’s a fun, weird and extremely unique movie and I think Frank is one of Fassbender’s best performances."

10. Sex Bob-Omb (From the movie “Scoll Pilgrim vs The World” 2010)

"You can’t possibly make a list of the best fictional bands without including the indie rock band Sex Bob-Omb. The plot of the movie depends on Sex Bob-Omb being a mediocre band, but in reality they’re really, really good (No wonder when you’ve got Beck writing the music). Highly recommended if you haven’t already watched it!"

Join the waiting list for Jouska's debut headline London show here.

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