EIVIND & Mike Terrell: How a Camper Van Jam created Nordic Soul Gold
From a viral mobile phone recording to Spotify's R&B Weekly.
There is a certain magic when you stop controlling everything. Just being in the moment. For example, park a camper van on a Norwegian island, put a piano and drum kit inside, then start playing and see what happens.
That is how EIVIND (Eivind Løberg) found his sound in summer 2024. He invited Kim Ofstad, drummer from the neo-soul band D’Sound, for a spontaneous jam. No studio. No goals. No pressure. And a mobile phone recording it all.
The result produced an outstanding summery sound that nods to ’70s legends Earth, Wind & Fire and West Coast influences, while infusing it with Eivind’s passionate touch.
The clip went viral.
Over 2 million views.
It reached Anderson .Paak, Eric Benét, Tom Misch, Sheila E., and even Jools Holland.
EIVIND originally wrote the song in 1993 while living in the USA. Now, with lyrics by Knut Marius Djupvik, it has found its final form. ‘How Hard I Tried‘ features American vocalist Mike Terrell, who adds the final soulful touch with sunshine-warming harmonies.
The single was added to Spotify’s American editorial playlist ‘R&B Weekly’, and a full album arrives this autumn.
Watch the music video above, filmed inside that same camper van. This is Scandinavian soul from a very unexpected location, but from now on, the back of a camper van will be the first place we look.
Without sounding too creepy!
