{"id":14102,"date":"2025-04-01T12:56:55","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T12:56:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/?post_type=artikler&p=14102"},"modified":"2025-09-01T11:16:51","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T11:16:51","slug":"the-sound-of-north-selected-northern-norwegian-artists","status":"publish","type":"artikler","link":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/artikkel\/the-sound-of-north-selected-northern-norwegian-artists\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sound of North – selected Northern Norwegian artists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tThe TV show “Hver gang vi m\u00f8tes” has highlighted famous artists and their stories, many of them with roots in Northern Norway. Enjoy our selected signature artists – your soundtrack through our region!\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n

The program series “Hver gang vi m\u00f8tes \/ Every Time We Meet” on TV2 takes its title from the song Friends<\/em>, written by Halvdan Sivertsen, filmed at Kjerring\u00f8y. He was an important part of the singer\/songwriter wave of Northern Norwegian artists in the 1970s and the Sound of the North until today. In the 2000s, we experienced a new wave of Northern Norwegian artists who broke through nationally and internationally, most often in English within genres such as electronica, rap and pop. In the last decade, most of them have brought out Norwegian lyrics, often in Northern Norwegian and Sami. Several of the Northern Norwegian and Sami artists became big internationally<\/strong>, and some of them have even dominated the playlists on Norwegian radio in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The cultural travel suitcase<\/h3>\n\n\n
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This article is one of several as a follow-up to Bod\u00f8 2024 – European Capital of Culture<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read your favorite book, listen to your favorite artist and experience your favorite piece of art on this journey through our region:<\/p>\n\n\n

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Literary landscapes – selected Northern Norwegian authors<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tCulture and history\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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The Land of Light – selected Northern Norwegian painters<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tCulture and history\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\tBod\u00f8 og Salten\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

Bod\u00f8 2024 – European Capital of Culture<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tCulture and history\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“There’s no place like home”<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

How are artists influenced by their origins and surroundings<\/strong>? We have selected the 33 most current and well-known artists from the North, who can represent a fine selection of the region’s artists and set you in the mood for your journey to the North. A tribute to the region, for both home coming<\/a> and away victory! Not all of these artists have been on the aforementioned TV show yet, but all have strong roots in Northern Norway<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here is our Northern Norwegian “playlist” with a shortcut to each selected artist:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Halvdan Sivertsen<\/a>, Dagny<\/a>, Mari Boine<\/a>, Marcus & Martinus<\/a>, Jarle Bernhoft<\/a>, Moddi<\/a>, Kr\u00e5kes\u00f8lv<\/a>, R\u00f8yksopp<\/a>, Ella Marie<\/a>, Tungtvann<\/a>, Sondre Justad<\/a>, Bilal Saab<\/a>, Christel Alsos<\/a>, Lyse Netter<\/a>, Kristian Kristensen<\/a>, Regnv\u00e6r<\/a>, Ola, Kari & Lars<\/a>, Maria Hauk\u00e5s Mittet<\/a>, Bendik<\/a>, Sivert H\u00f8yem<\/a>, Bel Canto<\/a>, Manna<\/a>, J\u00f8rn & Steinar<\/a>, Agnete Saba<\/a>, Ida Marie<\/a>, Hekla St\u00e5lstrenga<\/a>, Keiino<\/a>, Publiners<\/a>, Marion Ravn<\/a>, Violet Road<\/a>, Vidar Vang<\/a>, Herman & Simone<\/a> and Moillrock<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch their videos here and enjoy the Sound of the North<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Halvdan Sivertsen (Bod\u00f8)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Halvdan was born in Troms\u00f8, but grew up and lives in Bod\u00f8, with a holiday home on Kjerring\u00f8y. His career began in Bod\u00f8’s pop and rock scene in the 1960s, and he has been one of Norway’s most popular folk singers and entertainers for 40 years, including through the group Gitarkameratene. Kj\u00e6rlighetsvisa<\/em><\/a> from the album Nordaf\u00f8rr<\/em>, was voted the summer song of all time in 2008, a true Northern Norwegian signature song. He has won six “Spellemann” prizes, two of them with Gitarkameratene<\/a>, and he was inducted into the Rockheim Hall of Fame in 2020. The following year, Sivertsen was appointed commander of St. Olavs Orden<\/a> for outstanding efforts as a performing artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kjerring\u00f8y<\/a> has also been the setting for the last seasons of the program series Every Time We Meet<\/em> on TV2, with their strong and personal stories, meetings and performances of each other’s songs. In the spring of 2012, he appeared in the series with six other artists, including \u00d8yvind Sauvik (Vinni). Here he performed Sivertsen’s Sommerfuggel i vinterland<\/em> (Butterfly in Winterland), which immediately became a huge hit. Together they also performed the song during the memorial service in Oslo on July 22, 2012. Read more about him at https:\/\/halvdansivertsen.no<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dagny (Troms\u00f8 \/ Oslo \/ London \/ Los Angeles)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dagny Norvoll Sandvik, known as Dagny from Troms\u00f8<\/a>, is a Norwegian model and pop singer who became known for her debut single Backbeat. She got two big jobs as a warm-up artist: for Elton John during the Vinter-D\u00f8gnvill festival, and for Sting in Bangkok in 2012. At this time, Dagny had earned herself a status as a local newspaper celebrity in Troms\u00f8. Dagny received new Spellemann nominations in Song of the Year for Wearing Nothing<\/em> and Drink About<\/em> in 2017 and 2018, the latter with the artist Seeb. She was also nominated for Spellemann as Songwriter of the Year in 2018, and in the category Pop Artist of the Year in 2023. Her song Somebody<\/em> was the most played Norwegian song (and third most played of all songs) on Norwegian radio for two years in a row in both 2020 and 2021. The song was played 6189 times on Norwegian radio these two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To date, Dagny has performed at over 50 international summer festivals such as Isle of White, The Mighty Hoopla, Pinkpop, Sziget, Camp Bestival, The Great Escape and British Summer Time at Hyde Park. Dagny is known as an energetic live artist with infectious energy and uplifting performances on stage. She develops her live show both sonically and visually, constantly pushing boundaries and the experience for her fans. In addition to her success as a solo artist, Dagny is also a skilled songwriter who provides lyrics and melodies for other exciting and popular artists. She has written Katy Perry’s Never Really Over<\/em> which reached over a billion plays globally. She has also written for artists such as Kygo, Ashnikko, Julie Bergan, Marcus & Martinus and others. Dagny won the prestigious P3 award in the fall of 2024. Read more about her at https:\/\/dagnymusic.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mari Boine (Karasjok)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mari Boine is a productive and innovative musician who works in the borderland between Sami and other folk music, rock and jazz. Her commitment to Sami culture and rebellion against oppression and Norwegianization policies have greatly influenced both Boine’s life and art. Boine has won numerous awards, and she has also been appointed a Knight of the First Class of the Order of St. Olav for her versatile artistic work. Read more about her at https:\/\/www.mariboine.no<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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She is to be credited with ensuring that Sami music is no longer considered an ethnic curiosity, but rather a living part of the world’s musical heritage. Mari Boine’s music is among the finest that has been created in our part of the world in recent decades.<\/em><\/p>\nAnders Jahre’s Cultural Award in 2009<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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The homelands of Halvdan, Dagny and Mari:<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\tBod\u00f8 og Salten\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

Bod\u00f8 – your gateway to the most refreshing and beautiful coastline<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tNatural highlights\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\tTroms\u00f8\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

Walk the historic centre of Troms\u00f8 – your own city walk<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tCulture and history\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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Kautokeino local museum takes you on a journey through Sami history<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tSami Culture\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Marcus and Martinus (Trofors)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Marcus & Martinus is a Norwegian dance-pop duo consisting of identical twins Marcus Gunnarsen and Martinus Gunnarsen, born in 2002 in Elverum and raised in Trofors on Helgeland<\/a>. The duo broke through as winners of MGP jr. 2012 with the song To dr\u00e5per vann<\/em> (Two drops of water). Marcus and Martinus have, in parallel with music, always had a great interest in football. The duo plays for the 3rd division team Mosj\u00f8en IL. They are perhaps best known for the song Elektrisk<\/em> in Norway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Throughout their career, the duo has also achieved success outside of Norway. Towards the end of the 2010s, they sold out several concerts in a number of European countries, and the duo has won several awards, including Spellemann of the Year at the Spellemannprisen 2016. They participated in Eurovision 2024 for Sweden with the song Unforgettable<\/em>. Read more about them at https:\/\/www.marcusandmartinus.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jarle Bernhoft (Kjerring\u00f8y \/ Oslo)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jarle Bernhoft is a vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who grew up in Nittedal. The high-profile artist, \u00c5rets Spellemann from 2011, spent every summer of his childhood at Kjerring\u00f8y<\/a> outside Bod\u00f8, where his father comes from. He first became known as the vocalist in the band Span<\/a> and then achieved great success as a solo artist, including a Grammy nomination. As a solo artist, he has used the name Bernhoft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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He participated in Hver gang vi m\u00f8tes<\/em> in 2021, and became a mentor on The Voice in 2023. On his debut album Ceramik City Chronicles<\/em> (2008), Bernhoft emerged as a pop\/soul\/funk singer. His latest album was nominated for the Spellemannprisen in the pop category. Avenue of Loveless Hearts<\/em> was released in the fall of 2023. Read more about him at https:\/\/www.bernhoft.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moddi (Senja)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

P\u00e5l Lue (formerly P\u00e5l Knutsen), known by the stage name Moddi, is a Norwegian musician, activist and author from Medby in Senja<\/a>. He has released six studio albums, and is known for bringing his strong social commitment to music. In high school, he was the leader of the local branch of Natur og Ungdom. His international breakthrough came in 2013. With the single House by the Sea<\/em>, Moddi turned towards more radio-friendly pop music, and toured in a number of countries around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The first songs I wrote were simple attempts to give a voice to the voiceless nature.<\/em><\/p>\nModdi about his motivation to start making music<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In 2022, Moddi released the album Br\u00e5tebrann after moving back home to his childhood island of Senja, \u00abA bittersweet loveletter to the life in the North<\/a>\u00bb. For the album, he received his second Spellemann Prize in the singer and singer-pop category during the Spellemann Prize 2022. Read more about him at https:\/\/www.moddi.no<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The homelands of Marcus & Martinus, Jarle and Moddi:<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Sj\u00f8gato in Mosj\u00f8en is a real life history book<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tCulture and history\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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Kjerring\u00f8y is a cultural gem outside of Bod\u00f8<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tCoastal Culture\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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The Senja autumn is a drama of colours and weather<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tNorwegian Scenic Routes\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Kr\u00e5kes\u00f8lv (Bod\u00f8)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kr\u00e5kes\u00f8lv is a rock band from Bod\u00f8, established in 2007. The band takes its name from a song by the hardcore band Hjertesorg, of which Fredrik William Olsen (vocals, guitar) and Thomas Litangen (drums) were members. Brothers Kristoffer Nohr Unstad (guitar, vocals) and Petter Waldemar Nohr Unstad (bass, vocals) make up the other half of the band. They are the sons of Terje Nohr<\/a> from Kjerring\u00f8y (known for the song Kor e du?<\/em> and has played with Halvdan Sivertsen, Terje Nilsen and Ola Bremnes, among others), and they are the cousins \u200b\u200bof Tonje Undstad<\/a> from Evenes (she is best known for the song \u00c6 ror aleina<\/em>). In 2012, J\u00f8rgen Sm\u00e5dal Larsen (formerly played in Lukestar) replaced Litangen on drums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kr\u00e5kes\u00f8lv is based in their hometown, and the members have been connected to the environment around Kulturhuset Gimle and X Rockeklubb. The group received great attention during the music industry festival by:Larm<\/a> in 2009, and debuted the same year with Tr\u00e5dn\u00f8sting. They play energetic pop rock with a melodic flair. Tr\u00e5dn\u00f8sting spent ten weeks on the VG-lista, and were later nominated in the categories pop group and newcomer of the year at the Spellemannprisen 2009. Their lyrics are playful and inventive, and they are performed on the dialect of Bod\u00f8. Hermann Rundberg known from Violet Road<\/a> In 2015, he created the song Hjemmeseier<\/em>, beautifully performed by Kr\u00e5kes\u00f8lv.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

R\u00f8yksopp (Troms\u00f8)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

R\u00f6yksopp was officially formed in 1998. They play electronic music, and consist of the duo Svein Berge and Torbj\u00f8rn Brundtland, both from Troms\u00f8. The following year they debuted with the single So Easy<\/em>, before releasing their debut album Melody A.M. They have won the Spellemann award six times, the Alarmprisen award four times (no one else has won more than them) and were inducted into the Rockheim Hall of Fame in 2024. They have also won and been nominated for several international awards. The duo has become notorious for their somewhat quirky music videos, but R\u00f8yksopp has also received much praise for their videos. The video for Remind Me won<\/em> the MTV award for best music video in 2002.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The group has been a leading band in international electronic music, with success in the US, Asia and Europe. Their music has been used in commercials, video games and television. It has been used as the theme song for the Mac operating system, and a vignette for the news broadcasts on NRK. The band operates at the intersection of music, art and fashion, and is also known for remixes and collaborations with a wide range of international artists. The Inevitable End<\/em> was announced in 2014 as their last album, but they returned with three albums in 2022. In addition, they are one of the greatest music exports in Norwegian popular music of all time. Read more about them at https:\/\/royksopp.com\/live<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ella Marie H\u00e6tta Isaksen \/ Is\u00e1k (Tana)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ella Marie H\u00e6tta Isaksen is a Sami-Norwegian musician, actress and social activist from Tana. Through various engagements, she has become a well-known public spokesperson for the Sami people and Sami culture. As a musician, Isaksen won Stjernekamp on NRK in 2018, and she was the leader of the band IS\u00c1K<\/a>. The band consisted of singer Ella Marie, producer Daniel Eriksen and drummer Aleksander Kostopoulos from Bod\u00f8. They are known for their energetic concerts with a strong stage presence. Inspired by both house and traditional music, they have modernized and pushed the boundaries of what Sami music is. This by combining traditional joik and urban synths with lyrics in both Northern Sami and English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Their first album Eal\u00e1n was released in 2019. IS\u00c1K also appeared on Alan Walker’s Top 20 hit Are You Lonely <\/em>and his single Sorry<\/em>, which reached number eight in Norway in 2021. IS\u00c1K’s second album Roasut<\/em> was released in 2021. In March 2023, IS\u00c1K released the EP Daughters of the Sun<\/em> and played the concert Oppr\u00f8r i Operaen at the Norwegian Opera the same month. As an environmental and social activist, Isaksen was one of the leaders of the demonstrations in the Fosen case. In May 2023, the group IS\u00c1K disbanded. In early 2024, Isaksen debuted as a solo artist with the song S\u00e1niid<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The homelands of Kr\u00e5kes\u00f8lv, R\u00f8yksopp and Ella Marie: <\/h3>\n\n\n
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Will you join us for a stroll in the reconstructed city of Bod\u00f8?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tArchitecture\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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William went to town in Troms\u00f8 – read his story<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tDrink in Northern Norway\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\tAlta\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

The longest trip through Finnmark runs from the highlands to the cape<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tungtvann (\u00d8rnes \/ Steigen \/ Harstad)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tungtvann is a Norwegian hip hop group with roots in Nordland and Troms that existed from 1999 to 2007 and reunited around 2020. The group consists of vocalist J\u00f8rgen “J\u00f8rg-1” Nordeng from \u00d8rnes\/Bod\u00f8 and DJ Lars “Poppa Lars” Sandness from Harstad. A third member was included at concerts and festivals, H\u00e5vard “Jan Steigen” Jenssen from Steigen. Tungtvann was among the first Norwegian groups to rap in dialect on albums. They were nominated for inclusion in Rockheim Hall of Fame<\/a> in both 2023 and 2024. In 2022, Nordeng is also the vocalist in the punk\/rock band Polardegos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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