Oslo Ess sounds like the intersection of a rowdy basement punk show and a massive outdoor festival stage. Their music is built on a foundation of driving rhythms and thick, melodic guitar work that feels both urgent and comforting. There is a distinct warmth to their sound, avoiding the coldness of modern digital production in favor of a saturated, analog-leaning grit that makes the songs feel lived-in and authentic.
What sets them apart is their ability to marry the raw energy of 70s and 80s Norwegian rock legends with the polished, anthemic sensibilities of modern alternative. The vocals are raspy and full of character, delivering lyrics that romanticize the struggle and beauty of urban life, nightlife, and the bonds of friendship. It is music that feels deeply rooted in a specific place, yet carries a universal sense of defiance and camaraderie.
Start with 'Alle hjerter deler seg' to hear them at their most balanced. It captures the transition from their raw punk roots into the massive, radio-ready rock band they became, featuring the kind of choruses that demand to be shouted back at a stage in a crowded room.
Oslo Ess is a Norwegian rock/punk band with Åsmund Lande as vocalist/guitarist, Peter Larsson on guitar and Knut-Oscar Nymo on bass. Lande and Larsson used to play in another formation and launched the band. Although Oslo Ess doesn't have a permanent drummer, a number of drummers have played with the band including Håvard Takle Ohr, Steffen Skau Linnert, Tommy Akerholdt, Kim Akerholdt and Mads Golden. The band released their debut album Uleste bøker og utgåtte sko on Råtass Records on 11 March 2011. The album reached #9 on Norwegian Albums Chart. This was followed up in 2012 with a new album Verden på nakken, venner i ryggen that hit #4 on the Albums chart in its first week of release. Their most successful single has been "Caroline". The band's lyrics are mostly about partying and nightlife, reflecting partly Jokke and Raga Rockers, but in a contemporary style of the 2010s. Oslo Ess were nominated for "best rock group" category in the 2011 Spellemann awards. They also performed to a sold-out crowd on 21 December 2011 and 6 October in the Rockefeller. In 2013 they contributed to the book "Think like a rockstar" Tenk som en rockestjerne Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine, written by Ståle Økland.
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