Studio Killers

{{Short description|European virtual electropop band}} {{For|their self-titled album|Studio Killers (album)}} {{EngvarB|date=August 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Studio Killers | image = Studio Killers.png | landscape = yes | caption = Members from left to right: Goldie Foxx, Cherry, Dyna Mink | origin = {{hlist|United Kingdom|Finland|Denmark}} | genre = {{hlist|Electronic|dance-pop<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kellman |first=Andy |title=Studio Killers Biography, Songs, & Albums |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/studio-killers-mn0002738390/biography |access-date=24 October 2023 |publisher=AllMusic}}</ref>}} | years_active = 2011–present | label = {{hlist|Studio Killers|Copenhagen|Universal|Warner Music|Spinnin'|Time|EMI}} | website = {{URL|studiokillers.com}} | current_members = * Cherry * Goldie Foxx * Dyna Mink }}

'''Studio Killers''' is a British-Finnish-Danish virtual band made up of four animated characters: vocalist and designer Cherry, keyboardist Goldie Foxx, DJ Dyna Mink, and manager Bipolar Bear.

The only confirmed members of the band are Darren Stokes and Philip Larsen.

==History==

===2011–2014: Formation and debut studio album===

The voices of Goldie Foxx and Dyna Mink stated that they had originally written a song for a British girl band that was dropped from their label and were put in contact with Cherry's vocalist, who wrote the lyrics and performed the song with them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.cbc.ca/#/blogs/2013/6/Studio-Killers-are-animated-anonymous-and-unapologetic|title=Studio Killers are animated, anonymous and unapologetic|author=Matt Meuse|publisher=CBC Music|date=14 June 2013|accessdate=17 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kickkicksnare.com/2013/07/15/kks-exclusive-interview-studio-killers/ |title=KKS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Studio Killers |publisher=Kick Kick Snare |date=15 July 2013 |accessdate=17 July 2014}}</ref> The members claim that most of their correspondence is through email, although their song "Who Is in Your Heart Now?" was written when they first had a face to face meeting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/interview/studio-killersinterview-june-2013 |title=Studio Killers Interview |date=4 June 2013 |publisher=Contactmusic.com |accessdate=17 July 2014}}</ref> The identities of the band members are unknown, and all interaction with fans is conducted via their fictional counterparts; however, it has been speculated by fans that the Finnish musician Teemu Brunila provides the voice of Cherry.<ref>{{cite web|title=Menestysbändin salattu laulaja tuleekin Suomesta – tunnistatko? – Hymy|date=15 September 2011|url=http://www.hymy.fi/tasta-puhutaan/menestysbandin-salattu-laulaja-tuleekin-suomesta-tunnistatko|publisher=Otavamedia Oy|accessdate=28 January 2013}}</ref>

They premiered in 2011 with the single "Ode to the Bouncer", about the lead singer character Cherry's difficulties in getting into a club,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scandipop.co.uk/studio-killers-ode-to-the-bouncer/ |title=– Studio Killers: 'Ode To The Bouncer' |publisher=Scandipop.co.uk |date=8 April 2011 |accessdate=17 July 2014}}</ref> and gained popularity through their music video on YouTube. The single was successful in the Netherlands, Finland, and Denmark. After releasing other singles "Eros and Apollo", "All Men Are Pigs", and "Jenny" through 2012 and 2013, they released their self-titled debut album in 2013, and followed up in 2014 with the new single "Grande Finale". Studio Killers also announced that they were going to start having live shows, starting with the 2014 Ruisrock festival in Finland,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ruisrock.fi/en/news/32/studio-killers-will-play-their-first-ever-gig-at-ruisrock|title=STUDIO KILLERS WILL PLAY THEIR FIRST EVER GIG AT RUISROCK|accessdate=7 October 2014}}</ref> followed by Ilosaarirock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilosaarirock.fi/2014/english/lineup/studio_killers |title=Ilosaarirock Festival 2014 | Line-Up – Studio Killers (UK) |publisher=Ilosaarirock.fi |date=13 July 2014 |accessdate=17 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilosaarirock.fi/2014/felamaa/?p=1833 |title=Ilosaarirock Festival 2014 | Studio Killers brought Tähti Tent to capacity |publisher=Ilosaarirock.fi |date=13 July 2014 |accessdate=17 July 2014}}</ref> To prepare for this performance and a world tour, they began a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for {{GBP|50000}} and successfully gathered {{GBP|55176}}.<ref name="Kickstarter">{{cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/studio-killers/studio-killers-were-going-to-perform-live|title=Studio Killers Kickstarter|publisher=Kickstarter|accessdate=4 June 2014}}</ref>

In 2014 the band performed live at Ruisrock and Ilosaarirock festivals. The real-life counterparts of the characters Goldie Foxx and Dyna Mink appeared on stage wearing masks, and the character Cherry was present in the form of screen projection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTMsgW1eFTQ|title=The Studio KiIlers Live Experience|date=12 September 2014 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>

=== 2015–2019: Hiatus and comeback ===

In 2015, after a year-long absence, Studio Killers made a brief comeback and released the music video for "Jenny" on 24 December, as a Christmas gift to their fans.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jenny Music Video |url= http://studiokillers.tumblr.com/post/135850394291/day-24-merry-x-mas-this-has-been-a-real-labor-of |website=Tumblr |access-date=1 December 2018}}</ref> The band went on a two year long hiatus, up until 15 February 2018, a YouTube video titled "Fresh Start: Studio Killers Are Back!" was posted onto their official YouTube channel, in which an animated Cherry promises new music coming soon.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc6msd1HAOQ |title=Fresh Start: Studio Killers Are Back! |date=15 February 2018 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

Later on in 2018, they released two singles; "Party Like It's Your Birthday" on 8 June and "Dirty Car" on 30 November, with music videos accompanying each song respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=Studio Killers – Party Like It's Your Birthday (Official Video) |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltodvng8XHY |website=YouTube |access-date=8 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Studio Killers – Dirty Car (Official Video) |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyAigHilpo4 |website=YouTube | date=30 November 2018 |access-date=1 December 2018}}</ref>

On 31 August 2019 the group announced their intent to create an animated series and plan to launch a kickstarter to create a pitch pilot called Studio Killers 404.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guwu-OOzGTA|title=Studio Killers Facts & Special Announcement |website=YouTube |publisher=Studio Killers |date=August 31, 2019}}</ref> The kickstarter reached its $115,000 goal in three days.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/studio-killers/studio-killers-404 |title=Studio Killers 404 |website=Kickstarter |date=23 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/queer-positive-shojo-parody-studio-killers-404-hits-crowdfund-goal/ |title=Queer-positive Shojo Parody 'Studio Killers 404' Hits Crowdfund Goal |first=Mercedes |last=Milligan |date=28 October 2019}}</ref>

=== 2020–2023: "Jenny" TikTok success and remixes === During 2020, the 2013 single "Jenny" started gaining success over the platform TikTok and started a new trend on the video-sharing app.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Studio Killers' "Jenny" Became a Queer TikTok Hit (Interview) |url=https://muumuse.com/2021/01/studio-killers-jenny-ruin-our-friendship-tiktok-interview.html/ |website=MUUMUSE |date=January 9, 2021}}</ref> The group decided to release a lyric video to the song on 13 January 2021. The track later received a remix by Danish DJ and producer Faustix, on 10 February 2021.

The group recorded a new version of the single "Jenny" with the help of German singer Kim Petras; this new version was released on 26 March 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kim Petras Guests On A New Remix Of Studio Killers' TikTok-Boosted 2013 Hit 'Jenny' |url=https://uproxx.com/pop/kim-petras-studio-killers-jenny/ |website=UPROXX |date=26 March 2021}}</ref>

In June 2021, the group collaborated with electronic music duo The Knocks and released the single "Bedroom Eyes". They later featured in a remix of the song by Nathan Barnatt under the persona of Dad Feels.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 27, 2021|title=Bedroom Eyes (Dad Feels x JAMATAR) (feat. The Knocks & Studio Killers) [Remix]|url=https://dadfeels.bandcamp.com/track/bedroom-eyes-dad-feels-x-jamatar-feat-the-knocks-studio-killers-remix|access-date=October 27, 2021|website=Bandcamp}}</ref>

In December 2021, an animated pilot ''Studio Killers 404'' was released on YouTube.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Studio Killers 404 |url=https://www.studiokillers.com/pages/studio-killers-404 |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Studio Killers |language=en}}</ref>

On March 24, 2023, they released a new single, "Underneath my Raincoat",<ref>{{cite web |last1=City Air News |date=28 March 2023 |title=Internet phenomenon and virtual electro-pop group Studio Killers release their catchy new single 'Underneath My Raincoat' |url=https://www.cityairnews.com/content/internet-phenomenon-and-virtual-electro-pop-group-studio-killers-release-their-catchy-new-single-underneath-my-raincoat |access-date=10 April 2023 |website=City Air News}}</ref> later re-titled simply "Raincoat".

==Discography==

===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| FIN <ref name=FIN>{{cite web|url=http://finnishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Studio+Killers|title=Studio Killers Robin Stjernberg|publisher=finnishcharts.com}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Indie <ref name = "Allmusicawards">[http://www.allmusic.com/album/studio-killers-mw0002557641/awards Studio Killers – Studio Killers Awards]. ''Allmusic''. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 30 October 2013.</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Heat <ref name = "Allmusicawards"/> |- ! scope="row" | ''Studio Killers'' | * Released 14 June 2013 * Label: Studio Killers * Formats: CD, digital download | 10 || 39 || 9 |}

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of singles, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" colspan="10"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certification ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| DEN <ref name=DEN>{{cite web|url=https://danishcharts.dk/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Studio+Killers|title=Studio Killers|publisher=danishcharts.dk}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| FIN <ref name=FIN/> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK <ref name="auto">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160309080128/https://business.highbeam.com/411456/article-1G1-324758729/commercial-pop-top-30 Commercial Pop Top 30]. ''Music Week''. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2018.</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK Club <ref name="auto"/> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| BEL (Fl) <ref name=BEL>{{cite web|url=http://ultratop.be/nl//showinterpret.asp?interpret=Studio+Killers|title=Studio Killers|language=nl|publisher=ultratop.be/nl}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| BEL (Wa) Dance <ref>[http://www.ultratop.be/fr/weekchart.asp?cat=su&year=2012&date=20120121 DANCE BUBBLING UNDER: 21/01/2012] (in French). ultratop.be. Retrieved 26 October 2013.</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NLD 40 <ref name=NED40>{{cite web|url=http://www.top40.nl/zoeken?search=Studio+Killers|title=Studio Killers search results|language=nl|publisher=top40.nl|accessdate=1 November 2013}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NLD 100 <ref name=NED100>{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Studio+Killers|title=Studio Killers|language=nl|publisher=dutchcharts.nl}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Sales <ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2014-06-14/hot-singles-sales|title=Hot Singles Sales: Jun 14, 2014|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=20 June 2014}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Dance Digital <ref>Murray, Gordan (21 June 2018). [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8462155/billboard-dance-chart-upstarts-lucas-steve-x-brandy-studio-killers "Billboard Dance Chart Upstarts: Lucas & Steve x Brandy, Studio Killers & Chicane"]. ''Billboard''. Retrieved 23 June 2018.</ref> |- |2011 ! scope="row" | "Ode to the Bouncer" | 15 || 13 || 26 || 9 || 24 || 65 || 1 || 1 || — || 9 | |rowspan=5| ''Studio Killers'' |- |2012 ! scope="row" | "Eros and Apollo" | — || — || — || — || — || — || Tip: 4 || — || — || — | |- |rowspan=3|2013 ! scope="row" | "All Men Are Pigs"<ref name = "iTunesAllMenarepigs">[https://music.apple.com/us/album/all-men-are-pigs-single/588152052 Music – All Men Are Pigs – Single by Studio Killers]. iTunes. Retrieved 1 November 2013.</ref> | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row" | "Jenny" | — || 2 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 3 | * RIAA: Gold<ref name="RIAA">{{cite certification|region=United States|artist=Studio Killers|access-date=April 17, 2022}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | "Who Is in Your Heart Now?"<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Who Is in Your Heart Now? |author=Studio Killers |year=2013 |publisher=Warner Music Finland |id=5053105986125}}</ref> | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- |2014 ! scope="row" | "Grande Finale" | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 6 || — | | ''Studio Killers (Special Edition)'' |- |rowspan="2"|2018 ! scope="row" | "Party Like it's Your Birthday" | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 17 | |{{n/a|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" | "Dirty Car" | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | ''Studio Killers (Special Edition)'' |- |2020 ! scope="row" | "Jenny (I Wanna Ruin Our Friendship)" (2020 reissue) | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |''Studio Killers'' |- |rowspan="5"|2021 ! scope="row" | "Party Like It's Your Birthday" (featuring Omi) | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |rowspan="12" {{n/a|Non-album singles}} |- ! scope="row" | "Jenny" (featuring Kim Petras) | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row" | "Bedroom Eyes" (The Knocks featuring Studio Killers) | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row" | "Schoolyard Dance Off" | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row" | "Soft Bitch" (Studio Killers and Ally Ahern) | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- |rowspan="1"|2023 ! scope="row" | "Underneath My Raincoat" | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- |rowspan="1"|2024 ! scope="row" | "Valentine" | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- | colspan="14" style="font-size:8pt;text-align:center" | "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country. |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{official website|http://www.studiokillers.com/}} * {{SoundCloud}}

Category:Animated musical groups Category:Fictional musical groups Category:British LGBTQ-themed musical groups Category:Finnish LGBTQ-themed musical groups Category:Danish LGBTQ-themed musical groups Category:Masked musicians Category:Musical groups established in 2011 Category:British electronic music groups Category:Finnish electronic music groups Category:Danish electronic music groups Category:Fictional characters invented for recorded music Category:Virtual influencers Category:Fictional characters introduced in 2011