Espen Lind

Infobox musical artist

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Name = Espen Lind
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Background = solo_singer
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Origin = Tromsø, Norway
Born = birth date and age|1971|5|13
Genre = Pop, Rock
Years_active = 1995–present
Label = Universal
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Current_members =
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Espen Lind, (born May 13, 1971), is a Norwegian songwriter, producer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist.

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 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 Grammy's (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 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 four 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, 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" is expected in 2008.

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 Jessica Simpson, Ne-Yo, Elliott Yamin, Leona Lewis and Jordin Sparks.

Selected songwriting credits

*"Irreplaceable" - Beyoncé - co-written
*"With You" - Chris Brown - co-written
* "Angel" - Leona Lewis - co-written
*"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 - co-written
*"Cry" - Kym Marsh - produced and written
*"Blood Sweat & Tears" - V - co-written

Discography

Albums

#"Mmm...Prepare To Be Swayed" (1995) - "as Sway"
#"Red" (1997) - "as Sway"
#"Red" (1998) - "2nd version"
#"This Is Pop Music" (2001)
#"April" (2005)
#"Hallelujah Live" (2006) (with Lind, Nilsen, Fuentes & Holm)
#"Army of One" (2008)

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"

#1 Hits

s-ttl | title = Norwegian VG-lista number-one single: "When Susannah Cries"
years = 16 April 1997 – 28 May 1997

s-ttl | title = Norwegian VG-lista number-one single: "Unloved"
years = 19 January 2005 – 2 February 2005 s-ttl | title = Norwegian VG-lista number-one single: Hallelujah (with Nilsen, Fuentes and Holm)
years = 10 January 2007 – 17 January 2007 s-ttl | title = Norwegian VG-lista number-one single: "Scared Of Heights"
years = 20 May 2008 - 27 May 2008