Espen Lind

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Espen Lind

Background information
Origin Tromsø, Norway
Genre(s) Pop, Rock
Years active 1995–present
Label(s) Universal

Espen Lind (born May 13, 1971) is a Norwegian songwriter, producer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist.

Contents

[edit] 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 around 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 1 for six weeks. His sophomore album Red went on to sell more than 100,000 copies in Norway, and 350,000 copies worldwide, earning Lind three awards at the 1998 Norwegian Grammys (Spellemannprisen) 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 contained 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 four year break Lind released a new single, "Unloved", in December 2004, followed by the album "April" in January 2005.

In 2006, along with fellow Norwegian artists Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes and Askil Holm, Lind 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" is expected in 2008.

[edit] Writing and producing

During the past few years Espen Lind has done a lot of writing and producing, most notably as co-writer of both Irreplaceable by Beyoncé and With You by Chris Brown. Together with writing partner Amund Bjørklund in the production team Espionage he has also written and/or produced songs for artists like Jessica Simpson, Ne-Yo, Elliott Yamin, Leona Lewis and Jordin Sparks.

[edit] Selected songwriting credits


[edit] Solo albums

  1. Mmm...Prepare To Be Swayed (1995) - as Sway
  2. Red (1997) - as Sway
  3. Red (1998) - 2nd version
  4. This Is Pop Music (2001)
  5. April (2005)
  6. Hallelujah Live (2006) (with Lind, Nilsen, Fuentes & Holm)
  7. Army of one (2008)

[edit] Solo singles

  • "Yum Yum Gimme Some"
  • "American Love"
  • "Baby You're So Cool"
  • "When Susannah Cries"
  • "Lucky For You"
  • "American Love"
  • "Black Sunday"
  • "Where the Lost Ones Go", duet with Sissel Kyrkjebø
  • "Life Is Good"
  • "Unloved"
  • "Look Like Her"
  • "Million Miles Away"
  • "Hallelujah" (with Lind, Nilsen, Fuentes & Holm)
  • "The Boys of Summer" (with Lind, Nilsen, Fuentes & Holm)
  • "Scared of heights"

[edit] #1 Hits

Preceded by
"Hit 'Em High (The Monstars' Anthem)" by B-Real, Busta Rhymes, Coolio, LL Cool J, and Method Man		 Norwegian VG-lista number-one single: "When Susannah Cries"
16 April 1997 – 28 May 1997		 Succeeded by
"Barbie Girl" by Aqua
Preceded by
"Call On Me" by Eric Prydz (second run)		 Norwegian VG-lista number-one single: "Unloved"
19 January 2005 – 2 February 2005		 Succeeded by
"Sommerflørt" by Philip og Sandra (first run)
and
Max 500 by Kent
Preceded by
"Floden" by Bjørn Eidsvåg		 Norwegian VG-lista number-one single: Hallelujah (with Nilsen, Fuentes and Holm)
10 January 2007 – 17 January 2007		 Succeeded by
"Smack That" by Akon featuring Eminem
Preceded by
"4 Minutes" by Madonna (second run)		 Norwegian VG-lista number-one single: "Scared Of Heights"
20 May 2008 - 27 May 2008		 Succeeded by
"Lost" by Erlend Bratland