Erlend Øye emerged from the Bergen music scene during the mid-1990s, evolving from a local guitarist in the band Skog to a versatile international recording artist. Known for his work with Kings of Convenience and The Whitest Boy Alive, he has built a career bridging the divide between delicate indie folk and electronic production.
Early Development and Collaborative Beginnings
Growing up in Bergen, Øye drew early influence from artists like Leonard Cohen and The Smiths. During his high school years, he formed the band Skog, taking the name from a track by The Cure. By 1996, he was performing as an electric guitarist with Peachfuzz in London. In 1998, he helped establish the independent label Opplett alongside Mikal Telle to support regional talent, eventually producing records for artists including Fjorden Baby! and Razika.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Kings of Convenience and Electronic Exploration
The collaborative duo Kings of Convenience formed in 1998, uniting Øye with his former high school peer Eirik Glambek Bøe. Their debut record, Quiet is the New Loud, arrived in 2001. During this period, Øye began expanding into electronic music through high-profile collaborations with Röyksopp, providing vocals for the songs Poor Leno and Remind Me.
Berlin and The Whitest Boy Alive
Between 2002 and 2006, Øye spent significant time in Berlin, where he founded The Whitest Boy Alive. Although the project initially focused on electronic arrangements, it transitioned into an organic instrumental ensemble. The group released the album Dreams in 2006 and the follow-up Rules in 2009 via Bubbles Records, a label he co-founded with Marcin Öz. He simultaneously maintained his work with Kings of Convenience, releasing Riot on an Empty Street in 2004 and Declaration of Dependence in 2009.
Relocation to Sicily and International Projects
In 2012, Øye settled in Syracuse, Sicily, where he began performing with the trio La Comitiva. His time in Italy influenced the 2013 single La Prima Estate, sung in Italian. He subsequently released the reggae-influenced solo album Legao in 2014, recorded in Reykjavík with the Icelandic group Hjálmar. Following the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, he recorded the album Quarantine At El Ganzo in Mexico with Sebastian Maschat.
Fast facts
- Born: 21 November 1975, Bergen, Norway
- Primary occupations: composer, singer, musician, disc jockey
- Band memberships: Kings of Convenience, The Whitest Boy Alive, La Comitiva
- Label co-founder: Bubbles Records, Opplett
- Solo studio albums: Unrest, Legao
- Film appearance: Shooting Silvio (2006)
- Current residence: Syracuse, Sicily
- Language skills: Norwegian, English, Italian
Questions readers ask
What bands has Erlend Øye been a member of?
He is best known as one half of Kings of Convenience and as the frontman of The Whitest Boy Alive. He has also performed with La Comitiva and his early high school band, Skog.
Where does Erlend Øye live now?
Since 2012, he has lived in Syracuse, Sicily.
Achievements
- Instruments: voice, guitar and piano
- Genres: electronic music and traditional folk music
