Espen Lind

Espen Lind
Background information
Born (1971-05-13) 13 May 1971
Origin Tromsø, Norway
Genres Pop, rock, acoustic
Years active 1995present
Labels Universal

Espen Lind (born 13 May 1971) is a Norwegian record producer, songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is one half of the production team Espionage. Espen is also a mentor on the Norwegian version of The Voice.

Solo records

Espen Lind released his first solo album, Mmm...Prepare To Be Swayed, in 1995 under the moniker, 'Sway'. Only released in Norway, it received mixed reviews and sold approximately 5,000 copies. His commercial breakthrough came in 1997 with the single "When Susannah Cries" which was a hit in several European and Latin American countries, including Norway where it was number one for six weeks. His second album Red went on to sell more than 100,000 copies in Norway, and 350,000 copies worldwide, earning Lind three Norwegian Grammy awards (Spellemannprisen) in 1998, including Artist of the Year.

2000 saw Lind releasing his third album, This Is Pop Music, and the singles "Black Sunday" and "Life Is Good". The album also contains a duet, "Where the Lost Ones Go," with Norwegian singer Sissel Kyrkjebø. The album reached gold status in Norway but was generally perceived to be a commercial disappointment compared to its predecessor. After a 3-year break Lind released a new single, "Unloved," in December 2004, followed by the album April, in January 2005.

In 2006 Lind, together with fellow Norwegian artists Kurt Nilsen (World Idol winner), Alejandro Fuentes and Askil Holm released the concert album Hallelujah Live, featuring songs from the foursome's solo records as well as several songs by other artists, most notably a cover version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah".

Lind released a new single, "Scared Of Heights," in May 2008. His fifth album titled Army Of One was released on the 23 June 2008.

In January 2009 he received the award "Årets Spelleman" (artist of the year) at the Norwegian Grammy Awards.

Writing and producing

Espen Lind performing in Norway

During the past few years Espen Lind has done a lot of writing and producing, most notably as co-writer of "Irreplaceable" by Beyoncé and "Drive By" and "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train. Together with writing partner Amund Bjørklund in the production team Espionage he has also written and/or produced songs for artists Lionel Richie, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown and Leona Lewis. Morten Harket covered Lind's "Scared of Heights" for his album Out of My Hands.

Selected credits

Discography

The following is a discography of albums and singles released by Norwegian music artist Espen Lind.

Albums

Statistics Singles
Mmm... Prepare To Be Swayed
  • "Yum Yum Gimme Some"
Red
  • Released as Sway
  • Released: May 20, 1997
  • Peak chart positions:
  • Label: Universal
  • "American Love"
  • "Baby You're So Cool"
  • "When Susannah Cries"
Red
  • "When Susannah Cries"
  • "Lucky For You"
  • "American Love"
This Is Pop Music
April
  • "Unloved"
  • "Look Like Her"
  • "Million Miles Away"
Hallelujah - Live
Army of One
  • "Scared of Heights"
  • "Sweet Love"
Hallelujah - Live Volume 2

Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album
NOR
[1][4]
AUT
[5]
BEL (VL)
[5]
BEL (WA)
[5]
FRA
[5]
GER
[6]
NL
[7]
SWE
[5]
SWI
[5]
UK
[8]
1995 "Yum Yum Gimme Some" (as Sway) 17 Mmm... Prepare To Be Swayed
"American Love" (as Sway) N/A Red
1997 "Baby You're So Cool" (as Sway) N/A
"When Susannah Cries" (as Sway) 1
"When Susannah Cries" [new release] 1 10 2 21 41 9 10 34 5 185 Red [new version]
"Lucky For You" N/A 82
1998 "American Love" N/A
2000 "Black Sunday" 4 This Is Pop Music
2001 "Where the Lost Ones Go" (with Sissel Kyrkjebø) N/A 90
2002 "Life Is Good" N/A 99
2004 "Unloved" 1 April
2005 "Look Like Her" N/A
"Million Miles Away" N/A
2006 "Hallelujah" (with Kurt Nilsen, Askil Holm and Alejandro Fuentes) 1 Hallelujah - Live
"The Boys Of Summer" (with Kurt Nilsen, Askil Holm and Alejandro Fuentes) 12
2008 "Scared of Heights" 1 Army of One
"Sweet Love" N/A
2009 "With or Without You" (with Kurt Nilsen, Askil Holm and Alejandro Fuentes) 1 Hallelujah - Live Volume 2

References

External links

Awards
Preceded by
Unni Wilhelmsen and Ivar Eidem
Recipient of the best Pop solo artist Spellemannprisen
1997
Succeeded by
Bertine Zetlitz
Preceded by
No Artist of the year award
Recipient of the Artist of the year Spellemannprisen
1997
Succeeded by
Vidar Busk
Preceded by
Hellbillies
Recipient of the Spellemannprisen
as This year's Spellemann

2008
Succeeded by
Alexander Rybak
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