Nils Bech (born 8 April 1981 in Hønefoss) is a Norwegian singer, signed to James Murphy's DFA Records.[1] Bech became famous for performing a classic Christmas anthem O Holy Night[2] for the Norwegian TV series Skam. His version of O Holy Night received more than 1 million of streams on Spotify[3] on the day it was published, placing him in the top of the global charts.
Early life
editBech was raised in a small Norwegian village outside Oslo and began performing at a very young age when he was singing at the Salvation Army for his grandmother and her friends.[4] At age 10, he began singing classical music and continued to do so until early 20s thinking he might do a career as an Opera singer[5] but later moved to electropop.
Career
editIn 2017 Bech presented a show telling the story of his life,[6] it was shown in Norway Opera and Ballet.[7] He has also appeared in several theater plays[8] including Oslo's National Theater's version of Shakespeare's Richard III where he played a singing Lord Richmond.[9] A scene between Lady Anne and Richard was recorded for Bech's music video "Please stay".[10]
He is a frequent guest at events hosted by Norwegian royal family. On 7 April 2017 Bech, together with Norwegian ballet dancer Silas Henriksen, performed "A Sudden Sickness" at the celebration of 80th birthday of Queen Sonja,[11] and on 29 August 2018, again with Silas Henriksen, he was seen in the Oslo Cathedral at the ceremony of the 50th anniversary of King and Queen of Norway wedding[12] performing his song "Thank You". The song tells a story of his grandmother meeting his boyfriend, Bech told on Instagram.[13]
In the past, Nils Bech has performed in the New Museum in New York[4] and at the Venice Biennale[14]
Personal life
editBech is openly gay.[2]
Discography
editAlbums
edit- 2010: Look Back
- 2012: Look Inside
- 2014: One Year
- 2016: Echo[15]
- 2020: Foolish Heart
References
edit- ^ "Artists | DFA Records". dfarecords.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ a b "nordic prince: nils bech is the queer musical genius you might not know yet". I-d. 2017-08-21. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ "Nils Bech talks Norwegian TV drama Skam, Bjork, and writing about love (a lot)". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-06-21. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ a b "Performa · Nils Bech". performa-arts.org. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ Dazed (2016-11-07). "Meet romantic, vulnerable Norwegian singer Nils Bech". Dazed. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ "nils bech makes electronic music that is both beautiful and painful". I-d. 2018-03-13. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ "Nils Bech med konsert i Operaen \ Den Norske Opera & Ballett". Operaen.no. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ "Nils Bech - nationaltheatret.no". archive.is. 2014-12-12. Archived from the original on 2014-12-12. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ "Nils Bech's returns with LP 'Echo' - Music Norway EN". Music Norway EN. 2016-10-14. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ DFA Records (2016-10-11), Nils Bech "Please Stay" (Official Video) - DFA RECORDS, retrieved 2018-08-29
- ^ "Dronning Sonja 80 år".
- ^ NRK. "Rørte kongefamilien med sang". NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ "Nils Bech on Instagram: "Mommo❣️ On the occasion of the celebration of the Royal gold wedding today in the Oslo Cathedral, I will be performing my song "Thank You"…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ Mićević, Nemanja. "Pavilion of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 57th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia__May 13 – November 26, 2017". msurs.net. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ "Nils Bech on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 2018-08-29.