2006–2013: Career beginnings and collaborations Tove Lo

in 2006, lo began writing songs christian bjerring, guitarist rytmus. pair formed math rock band, tremblebee, 3 other male students school. played few years in bars across sweden, independently releasing of songs, before breaking in 2009. during time band, lo developed passion performing on stage, , introduced swedish production duo struts. after dissolution of tremblebee, lo s musical focus turned toward pop. decided focus on own tracks, spending 6 months in shed studio producing demo, while doing session singing means of income. learned how play drums , garnered knowledge music programming , record production during time. lo later spent time living icona pop, in suburb near stockholm.

lo later met a&r handed demo to. artist met him upon occasion of party in stockholm celebrating icona pop s first record deal, , again chance in bar in london. a&r liked lo s demo , subsequently introduced songwriting group included struts , hjelt. in 2011, lo decided pursue career in songwriting , earned publishing deal warner/chappell music. new career path led travel los angeles, , work swedish producer max martin. in 2012, collaborated british production team xenomania , swedish producer alexander kronlund, co-writing girls aloud s new , icona pop s got world , tracks duo s self-titled debut album.

lo decided manage artist indie career on side , recording more personal compositions , releasing them independently. released first single, love ballad , in october 2012, , second single, habits , in march 2013. latter gained substantial online following. lo featured on swedish disc jockey lucas nord s single, run on love , released in june 2013 album islands. collaborated on single strangers 7 lions , myon & shane 54 mortal instruments: city of bones film soundtrack (2013), , 7 lions extended play (ep), worlds apart (2014). throughout 2013, lo mentored max martin , fellow swedish producer shellback. co-wrote victoria justice s gold , , tracks icona pop s is... icona pop.