Espen Lind

Espen Lind

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

Artist career

Espen Lind released his first solo album, Mmm...Prepare To Be Swayed, in 1995 under the moniker Sway. Only released in Norway, it was well received by critics but sold a mere 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 Lind joined fellow Norwegian artists Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes and Askil Holm for a nationwide concert tour. The resulting concert album, Hallelujah Live, is certified 6 x platinum and holds the record for being the fastest selling record in Norwegian history. The DVD release by the same name is the best selling concert DVD ever released in Norway.

A new solo album is expected in 2008. Jon Lord, former member of Deep Purple helped to arrange some of the songs from the upcoming album.

Writer/producer

Espen Lind has enjoyed considerable success as a songwriter/producer, most notably as co-writer of both Irreplaceable by Beyoncé and With you by Chris Brown. Together with writing Amund Bjørklund he forms the production team Espionage, and they have written and/or produced songs for artists like Jessica Simpson, Ne-Yo, Elliott Yamin, Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks and Take That singer Mark Owen, as well as numerous local Norwegian acts.

Selected songwriting credits

• "Irreplaceable" - Beyoncé - co-written (US#1, biggest single of the year 2007 in the US)
• "With You" - Chris Brown - co-written (US#2)
• "Now You Tell Me" - Jordin Sparks - produced and co-written
• "Just For The Record" - Jordin Sparks - co-written
• "Go On Girl" - Ne-Yo - co-written
• "One Word" - Elliott Yamin - co-produced and co-written
• "I Don't Wanna Care" - Jessica Simpson - co-written
• "The One That Got Away" - Johnta Austin - co-written
• "Underdog" -Jonas Brothers - co-written
• "I Will Be With You" - Sarah Brightman/Paul Stanley - written
• "The Last Goodbye" - Atomic Kitten (UK#2) - co-written
• "Cry" - Kym Marsh - (UK#2) - produced and written
• "Blood Sweat & Tears" - V (UK#6) - co-written

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)

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)