A vibrant new band is making waves in Oslo’s music scene – meet Sūn Byrd, a soulful six-piece group that’s eager to launch their first album in April 2024. These potential superstars are reinventing what we know to be classic soul. They are achieving this by combining the old with the new.
What gives Sūn Byrd a head start is that the band members have supported major Norwegian artists like Fieh and Bård Berg Electric Band. Their sound is an irresistible mixture of soulful vocals, vibrant instrumentation, a catchy horn section and an overall feeling of happiness.
I followed the band to learn more about their story, where their inspiration come from and where they plan to go next. From looking back when they first developed an interest in music to exchanging how their sound develops still, they created a picture of a genuine band that is dedicated to ensuring that the soul stays burning.
With Sūn Byrd ready for their album to hit the markets, Norwegian music fans should not lag behind. This is a group that goes for experimentation while giving homage to the soul legends that paved the way. Pencil down your diary for April 2023 – #Sūn Byrd is all set to hit the musical scene in Norway.
Listen to Hey Love below
Follow Sūn Byrd on
What is your stage name
– Sūn Byrd
Is there a story behind your stage name?
– On our way back from recording the upcoming debut album, we drove from Italy to Norway. We knew we needed a name, but struggled to find it. We spent the entire trip coming up with suggestions to each other, when Sūn Byrd popped up. The name is a homage to one of our heroes, Donald Byrd and his band The Blackbyrds.
Where do you find inspiration?
– We find inspiration in the 70s soul scene, with the greats like Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie +++. We also get inspired by going to concerts and discovering new music. A lot a good stuff out there.
What was the role of music in the early years of your life?
– Music has always been important in our lives. Through childhood is has played different roles for the band members, but in the end that’s where we felt at home.
Are you from a musical or artistic family?
– There’s a lot musicality and artistic people in our families, so that has opened up a space for us to learn and grow.
Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry?
– Donny Hathaway. The recording of “For All We Know”. It took me by surprise, and I had to take a couple of steps back. WHAT a song.
How did you learn to sing/write/to play?
– Mostly by trying and failing I guess. We all studied music, but the writing happend together outside of school.
What was the first concert that you ever went to and who did you see perform?
– Ah, I don’t quite remember the first concert, but one imporant memory was watching Trondheim Jazz Orchestra playing Savages in Oslo. Amazing show!
How could you describe your music?
– Passionate and energetic. We love to play togheter, and love to bring people in to our world.
Describe your creative process.
– Listen to music/go outside/read -> try to express myself by writing our just improvisation with a piano -> try to make it in to something that feels like a song -> bring it to the band.
What is your main inspiration?
– Hehe, hard to say beacuse it changes often. The ones that stick around are Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Right now I’m super into Nick Drake.
What musician do you admire most and why?
– Bosco Mann. The stuff he and the other guys at Daptone bring out are crazy good.
Did your style evolve since the beginning of your career?
– I feel like it’s evolving all the time. This is like a long journey where we try to discover more and more about the soul genre, as well as we bring ourselves into the music. I both think and hope that we continue to evolve for as long as we play music.
Who do you see as your main competitor?
– We don’t look at other artist like competitors, but as friends and collleagues. Check out Beharie. He is the man!!
What are your interests outside of music?
– We all have different interests, some love football, others rock climbing.
If it wasn’t a music career, what would you be doing?
– That’s a hard question. I think I would be a teacher maybe, but it’s hard to see myself doing anything other than music. Maybe I’ll end up as a teacher someday.
What is the biggest problem you have encountered in the journey of music?
– That it’s hard! But that’s the fun. Everyone wants to write an amazing song that makes an impact on peoples lives.
If you could change one thing in the music industry, what would it be?
– Haha, I don’t know. Mandatory gospel brakes!
Why did you choose this as the title of this project?
– The song ‘Hey Love’ was called ‘Hey Love’ beacause we sing it like 20 times throughout the song!
What are your plans for the coming months?
– We are releasing our debut album 12th of April, with a couple of shows coming up. We’re also going in studio to work on our next album. Going to be a couple of great months.
Do you have any artistic collaboration plans
– Maybe. It could be really fun!!
What message would you like to give to your fans?
– We really appreciate all the feedback and love. Hope you enjoy ‘Hey Love’. We’re really excited to show you the whole album!!
