D’Sound was formed in 1993 by songwriters and musicians Kim Ofstad (drums), Jonny Sjo (bass) and Simone Eriksrud (vocals), who began rehearsing in a basement in Akersgata in Oslo. The sound they created was something as un-Norwegian as a mix of acid jazz, soul, R&B, funk, pop and drum’n’bass, an original sound that was quickly embraced by critics and audiences alike. The debut single ‘Real Name’ was released in 1996 and became the most played single on Norwegian radio that year. Early in 1997 came the debut album ‘Spice of Life’, from which no fewer than seven singles were released.
D’Sound gradually gained attention outside Norway’s borders as well. The band toured with Roachford in Germany, played to a sold-out house at The Jazz Café in London and at clubs in Sweden and Denmark. During a promotional tour to Japan for the album launch, D’Sound became the first international band to perform live on MTV Japan.
The follow-up album ‘Beauty Is a Blessing’ was released in 1998, with an even stronger blend of drum’n’bass and modern soul. The album debuted at number one on the Norwegian album chart and earned D’Sound the Spellemann Award for ‘Norwegian Pop Group of the Year’ that same year. This album also yielded seven singles, among them a cover of Shakatak’s ‘Down on the Street’, whose 12” remix reached number 11 on the official UK Dance Chart.
In 1999, D’Sound released the single ‘Disco Ironic’, produced by British producer Ashley Beedle (who in 2003 was behind the number one remix of Elton John’s ‘Are You Ready For Love’). The single was written for the Norwegian-Italian hit film ‘S.O.S.’ by Thomas Robsham, who also directed the music video, filmed with D’Sound in Rome.
The third album ‘Talkin’ Talk’ (2000) debuted at number three on the Norwegian album chart and brought the band renewed attention in Asia. The title track became known across North and Southeast Asia through heavy rotation on MTV Asia and a major television campaign for Nokia that same year, with a commercial directed by Harald Zwart (‘Karate Kid’, ‘Pink Panther 2’). This marked the start of a long run of concerts in Asia, and over the years D’Sound has played more than 20 concerts in countries including Korea, the Philippines and Indonesia.
The fourth album ‘Doublehearted’ (2003) revealed new sides of D’Sound, both as songwriters and as musicians. It reached number three on the album chart, was awarded a gold record and received a Spellemann nomination that same year. Among the single successes was ‘Do I Need A Reason’, with a video directed by Ray Kay (Justin Bieber’s ‘Baby’, Lady Gaga’s ‘Poker Face’). In 2004 and 2005, D’Sound toured Europe with both Incognito and The Brand New Heavies, a collaboration that resulted in Incognito vocalist Tony Momrelle appearing on the track ‘Birthday’. It was one of the singles from the fifth album ‘My Today’ (2006), which was released in several countries and led to new concert tours in Asia, Germany and Norway. The album also included the duet ‘Sigh’ with German jazz singer and trumpeter Till Brönner.
In the years that followed came the albums ‘Starts and Ends’ (2010) and ‘Signs’ (2014), the latter featuring the track ‘Jennifer’ in collaboration with Norwegian artist Lido. Over time, the three members of D’Sound also became internationally recognised producers, songwriters and musicians for other artists: Kim and Jonny produced Madcon’s European mega-hits ‘Beggin’’ and ‘Glow’ and have written for and played on releases by, among others, Akon, Jason Derulo and CeeLo Green, while Simone co-wrote Donkeyboy and Joe McElderry’s big hit ‘Ambitions’ and Bjørn Johan Muri’s ‘Yes Man’.
What began with Kim, Jonny and Simone in 1993 lasted 20 years after the album debut before Simone stepped down. The last recording D’Sound released with Simone Eriksrud as vocalist was the single ‘Only One’ (2017). By then, the band had released seven albums. In 2018, Mirjam Omdal joined the band, having previously fronted Bay Louie and appeared as a contestant on The Voice. Jonny had met her the year before, during the filming of The Voice Norway, and the chemistry between her, Jonny and Kim was immediate. The first release with Mirjam as songwriter and vocalist was the single ‘It’s Just Me’ in June 2018, which marked the start of D’Sound’s eighth album ‘Unicorn’ (2019). In 2019, D’Sound took part in the MGP final at Oslo Spektrum with ‘Mr. Unicorn’ from the album.
In 2022, D’Sound celebrated 25 years as recording artists, marked by the ninth album ‘25’. The opening track, the single ‘Flashback’, brought together a reunited original D’Sound with Simone Eriksrud, Kim and Jonny, the first time the three had recorded together since Simone left the band in 2018. On the track ‘Back to You’, they again worked with Mirjam Omdal, who has been part of D’Sound on numerous recordings and concerts since 2018. The album also features a number of international collaborations: the single ‘Save Some’ with Grammy winner and R&B legend Macy Gray (known, among other things, for the classic ‘I Try’), ‘Necessary Love’ with songwriter and artist Shontelle from Barbados, known for hits such as ‘Impossible’ and ‘T-Shirt’ and for writing for Rihanna; ‘Good Nature’ with American soul talent Pher and Grammy winner Cory Henry (Snarky Puppy); ‘Run for Cover’ with Filipino songwriter and vocalist Armi Millare from UDD (Up Dharma Down), one of several collaborations over the years; ‘My Own Country’ with Norwegian singer Marie Noreger; and ‘Right Now’ with American artist Autumn Rowe, known for hits such as ‘Salt’ (Ava Max) and for her Grammy-winning work with Jon Batiste on his album ‘WE ARE’.
The 25th anniversary in 2022 was also marked by Universal Music releasing a deluxe edition of ‘Spice of Life’, remastered by Espen Berg, today known as one half of SEEB and one of the original producers when the album was recorded in 1996. The album was released on vinyl for the first time that same year, and author Petter Aagaard published a book of his own about the record.
Since 2024, Simone, Kim and Jonny have written and released the new singles ‘Get Used to It’, ‘Mess Without This’, ‘Crybaby’, ‘Golden’ and ‘Unfold Me’. Kim and Jonny have also found time to release the single ‘Your Love Keeps Me’, their second collaboration with Macy Gray as guest vocalist. Simone, Kim and Jonny are now planning concerts and D’Sound’s tenth album, due for release in 2027.
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