Øystein Sunde

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Øystein Sunde (born January 24, 1947) is a Norwegian folk singer. He is known for his high-speed guitar and banjo style and his satirical lyrics. Although often regarded as a comedian, Sunde is a versatile jazz guitarist who has played with several dixie bands and jazz combos over the years.

He was born in Oslo, but his family moved early to Skarnes where Sunde went to school. In 1955, the family moved back to Lambertseter in Oslo.

Øystein Sunde became a part of the musician social environment in the capital, and he could often be found at the singer's club Dolphins with talented people like Kari Svendsen, Lillebjørn Nilsen, Ole Paus, Finn Kalvik and Hege Tunaal. He has played in bands like Hitch-Hikers, Hi-Five, Christiania Fusel & Blaagress and Gitarkameratene (with fellow guitarists Lillebjørn Nilsen, Halvdan Sivertsen and Jan Eggum), and he has participated in matinees, but he gained most fame as a solo artist. His lyrics are often about everyday situations from his own life, like nappy changing and model aeroplanes. He has said that he cannot write a song that contains no comic element. Expressions like "kjekt å ha" ("nice to have") has entered the Norwegian everyday language.

His recordings also include several instrumentals, like the folk tune Fanitullen or the high-speed, technical Ned Vøringsfossen (Down the Vøringsfossen Waterfall) and Lynavleder'n.

Andreas Disen once described Sunde as "a master with words and great a musical talent". "When describing Øystein Sunde, I can quote Andrè Bjerke, who once said about himself that he 'was into words'. Sunde sings about the Polish caravan on Norwegian roads or about artisans at their worst - all with a lot of irony."

In 1976, Øystein Sunde moved back to Skarnes with his wife Gudrun, where he can pursue his hobbies, like model aeroplanes and garden golf.