The frontman of the widely popular German band ItaloBrothers has now become a shop owner in the Danish city of Vejle. After years of touring Europe, he is balancing his passion for music with a new love for football jerseys.
From Global Stages to a Local Storefront
In Vejle, a new store called Halvfems has just opened its doors. Behind it stands Mathias Metten Klyve, the energetic lead singer of the German group ItaloBrothers. Known for their energetic hits and millions of plays on Spotify, the ItaloBrothers have been part of the Danish music scene for years with a devoted fan base across Europe.
Surprisingly, despite an active international career, Klyve has now added a new title to his name: shop owner. The singer, who moved to Denmark almost 11 years ago for love, recently opened Halvfems in the heart of Vejle, on Gammelhavn Street.
As it turned out, collecting football jerseys had long been his second passion. He began collecting at the age of seven. Over time, friends and followers on Instagram started asking if he would sell or trade jerseys from his growing collection. That gave him the idea to launch a small specialty shop dedicated to unique jerseys from clubs all around the world.
A Hobby That Turned Into a Business
Because of that early interest, Klyve gradually gathered around 150 football jerseys, ranging from Danish Superliga teams to rare international designs. He often discussed shirts and football memories with fellow fans, which made him realize how social and rewarding the hobby could be. So, turning it into a business made perfect sense.
The opening event for Halvfems took place on a Wednesday evening, attracting local football fans and the curious from around the area. While the shop primarily sells authentic football shirts, it is also meant to be a cozy place for fans to hang out, share stories, and perhaps discover a rare piece for their collection.
Given Vejle’s strong football traditions, Klyve says opening his business there felt natural. Living nearby in southern Jutland, he quickly became part of the local community. He plans to use his personal network in Germany to source specific jerseys customers request, adding an international twist to this Danish venture.
Balancing Music and Business
Although Klyve has taken the plunge as an entrepreneur, music remains his primary career. ItaloBrothers continue to perform across Europe, filling clubs and summer festivals with upbeat dance tracks. The challenge has been finding balance between running a shop and leading a world-touring band.
In fact, he admits that the band is busier than ever, but he wanted to try something new after spending more than 15 years on stage. Weekdays give him flexibility to run the store, while weekends are reserved for concerts and recordings. Friends have even offered to help keep Halvfems open on Saturdays, giving him room to travel for gigs.
Interestingly, customers who come to shop often recognize him from his stage presence. Some drop by to talk about ItaloBrothers as much as football. He says that’s part of the fun and something he fully welcomes in the store’s friendly environment.
Life Between Two Passions
Eventually, Klyve hopes that Halvfems will become not just a retail space, but a community spot for people who share his two main interests: music and football. He already had the first few customers even before the official launch—local residents who stopped by when they saw him hanging jerseys in the window. He gladly invited them inside for a sneak peek.
Despite juggling both worlds, he remains energized by how naturally these two passions overlap. The rhythm of the game and the rhythm of his stage life mirror each other more than one might expect. For Klyve, it’s about doing what he loves on multiple fronts, whether entertaining thousands or helping a fan find their dream jersey.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Danish Music Scene Guide for Expats
The Danish Dream: Best Clothing Stores in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Forsanger i verdenskendt band bliver butiksejer i Vejle
