Sūn Byrd / Dance in the Sun is 100% Freshly Squeezed Soul
We are witnessing Scandinavia’s soul elite in one band.
Have you ever stared at the orange juice section in a supermarket and noticed the choice?
One is made from concentrate, processed, reconstituted, and a bit… flat.
The other is freshly squeezed juice, vibrant, full of flavour, the real deal.
That’s Sūn Byrd. No additives. No pretence. Just pure, freshly squeezed soul.
If you’ve landed on this site looking to hear what soul sounds like in Scandinavia, then welcome.
This is it.
Oslo based Sūn Byrd have already turned heads, picking up a well-earned Spellemann nomination for their debut album, and their new single Dance in the Sun continues in rich, analog tradition. It’s vibrant, funky and full of life.
The chours asks: “Do You Know The Secret To Life?” and the band answers it together with a collective shout. It’s pure James Brown spirit: call‑and‑response energy, bright horns, tight drums and bass… and a bold, joyful authenticity that makes you move.
If you’ve been following the Norwegian soul scene, you might even recognize some familiar faces. This six‑piece (although it now looks like seven) powerhouse is fronted by the charismatic and distinctive soul vocals of Johan Helland, trumpet star Lyder Røed (FIEH), drummer and producer Bård Berg (Bård Berg Electric Band), keys wizard Audun Reknes, sax magic by Kristoffer Lippestad, and Markus Hafsund Gundersen on killer bass.
And guess what? There’s a video too. Scroll up to see Sūn Byrd in the studio creating the groove.
These musicians are the crème rising from Norway’s still-young but soul-rich waters. It’s wild to think that just 15 years ago as we started, soul from this part of the world barely existed and now here we are, witnessing Scandinavia’s soul elite.
This is a dance track made for dancers. Whether you’re on your own in the living room or sweating on the dance floor, this is the kind of song that makes your hips forget they have bones. Until the next morning at least!
And there’s more on the way.
Dance in the Sun is taken from their upcoming album In Paradiso, which drops October 24, and it’s only being pressed in 100 copies, on black and gorgeous sunburst vinyl. A collector’s dream and a Scandinavian soul fan’s must.
If you’re not in the queue yet, you might want to start forming a line – behind us! This is soul music and it doesn’t get any fresher than this.
