Kings of Convenience

Kings of Convenience are a Norwegian duo formed in Bergen in 1999 by Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe, who had known each other since childhood. Working in a hushed, acoustic-driven style built on close vocal harmonies, fingerpicked guitar and understated arrangements, the pair became a defining act of the early-2000s indie-folk revival, often described as a modern answer to Simon and Garfunkel.

Their debut album «Quiet Is the New Loud» (2001) established their signature sound and won them an international following far beyond Norway, with songs like «Toxic Girl» and «Winning a Battle, Losing the War» showcasing the intimacy that became their trademark. «Riot on an Empty Street» (2004) added subtle folktronica textures, partly reflecting Øye's parallel work in electronic music, including a feature from Leslie Feist on «Know-How» and «The Build Up».

After a long hiatus during which Øye pursued solo and electronic projects, the duo returned with «Declaration of Dependence» (2009) and later «Peace or Love» (2021), keeping their acoustic core intact while refining their songwriting. Tracks such as «Misread», «Homesick» and «Cayman Islands» remain among their best-loved songs, and the group is respected for a rare consistency of tone across two decades, favoring restraint and melodic clarity over studio embellishment.