D'Sound
Encyclopedia
D'Sound is a Norwegian pop band based in Oslo
, Norway
. The band currently is composed of Simone Larsen, the lead vocalist, and Jonny Sjo, the bassist.
. D'Sound was formed back in 1993 in Oslo with vocalist Simone Larsen (born on August 21, 1970) at a coincident rehearsal-meeting. Their debut album, Spice of Life, was released in 1997, following the successful single "Real Name", and was nominated for two Spellemannpriser, the Norwegian equivalent of the Brits (United Kingdom) and the Grammys (United States). D'Sound's blend of jazz-pop with funky elements was well-received and they also gained recognition as a live-act. Their second album Beauty Is a Blessing was released in 1998 and won the Spellemannpris for Best Norwegian Pop Group. It received platinum certification in Norway
, however, the album was never released internationally. The second single "Down on the Street" also entered the UK club charts. Musical influence shifted more to drum-n-bass and modern soul sound in the following albums. The single "Tattooed on my Mind" was released and received favorable reception in Southeast Asia
. After extended touring, the band took a break.
In 2000, the band resumed working together on the next album in Johnny Sjo's home studio. After a long period of writing material, Talkin' Talk was recorded. For the first time, the band also produced the album, along with their long-time keyboardist Stein Austrud. In the production of their third album, D'Sound was heavily influenced by modern rhythm and blues
American artists such as Angie Stone
, D’Angelo, Jill Scott
and Erykah Badu
. The album Talkin' Talk was mixed in Virginia Beach, USA, by Serban Ghenea, whose credits include work for Janet Jackson
and Prince
. For the subsequent tour, D'Sound joined with numerous national and international musicians toured Norway with the songs from the three albums. Several international musicians like DJ Kemit from US hip-hop group Arrested Development also joined the band in touring.
In 2003, the group released Doublehearted, which featured the hit single "Do I Need a Reason". In 2004, their first greatest hits
was released, entitled Smooth Escapes - The Very Best of D'Sound. The album was followed by the release of their fifth studio album My Today, the following year. The band took a break after the release of their fourth album. In 2010, Kim Ofstad left D'Sound, paring the band down to a duo of Simone Larsen and Jonny Sjo.
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. The band currently is composed of Simone Larsen, the lead vocalist, and Jonny Sjo, the bassist.
Band history
Drummer Kim Ofstad (born November 25, 1969) and bassist Jonny Sjo (born April 7, 1969) met while both attending Berklee College of MusicBerklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
. D'Sound was formed back in 1993 in Oslo with vocalist Simone Larsen (born on August 21, 1970) at a coincident rehearsal-meeting. Their debut album, Spice of Life, was released in 1997, following the successful single "Real Name", and was nominated for two Spellemannpriser, the Norwegian equivalent of the Brits (United Kingdom) and the Grammys (United States). D'Sound's blend of jazz-pop with funky elements was well-received and they also gained recognition as a live-act. Their second album Beauty Is a Blessing was released in 1998 and won the Spellemannpris for Best Norwegian Pop Group. It received platinum certification in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, however, the album was never released internationally. The second single "Down on the Street" also entered the UK club charts. Musical influence shifted more to drum-n-bass and modern soul sound in the following albums. The single "Tattooed on my Mind" was released and received favorable reception in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. After extended touring, the band took a break.
In 2000, the band resumed working together on the next album in Johnny Sjo's home studio. After a long period of writing material, Talkin' Talk was recorded. For the first time, the band also produced the album, along with their long-time keyboardist Stein Austrud. In the production of their third album, D'Sound was heavily influenced by modern rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
American artists such as Angie Stone
Angie Stone
Angie Stone is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She has been nominated for three Grammy Award. She is more successful on the charts R&B charts, with four Top 10 albums, forms including a number one album and 10 singles on the R&B chart,...
, D’Angelo, Jill Scott
Jill Scott
Jill Scott is an American soul and R&B singer-songwriter, poet, and actress. In 2007, Scott made her cinematic debut in the films Hounddog and in Tyler Perry's feature film, Why Did I Get Married? That year, her third studio album, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3, was released on...
and Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu
Erica Abi Wright , better known by her stage name Erykah Badu , is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz. She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, and for her eccentric, cerebral musical...
. The album Talkin' Talk was mixed in Virginia Beach, USA, by Serban Ghenea, whose credits include work for Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
and Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
. For the subsequent tour, D'Sound joined with numerous national and international musicians toured Norway with the songs from the three albums. Several international musicians like DJ Kemit from US hip-hop group Arrested Development also joined the band in touring.
In 2003, the group released Doublehearted, which featured the hit single "Do I Need a Reason". In 2004, their first greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
was released, entitled Smooth Escapes - The Very Best of D'Sound. The album was followed by the release of their fifth studio album My Today, the following year. The band took a break after the release of their fourth album. In 2010, Kim Ofstad left D'Sound, paring the band down to a duo of Simone Larsen and Jonny Sjo.
Studio albums
- 1996: Spice of Life
- 1998: Beauty Is a Blessing
- 2001: Talkin' Talk
- 2003: Doublehearted
- 2005: My Today
- 2009: Starts and Ends
Other albums
- 2001: D'Sound - Live at Rockefeller Music Hall 2001
- 2004: Smooth Escapes - The Very Best of D'Sound