From Bergen, Norway, (now living in Brooklyn) Sondre Lerche was signed to Virgin/ EMI before his 16th birthday. His latest release Heartbeat Radio on Rounder Records follows his critically acclaimed soundtrack to the movie Dan in Real Life. His music is upbeat pop with elements of Brazilian, jazz and folk. Lerche’s distinctive voice and talent for writing quirky, sunny yet melancholic pop tunes justifes his popularity. Lerche’s chord choices are unexpected and engaging, and he has an appealing rapport with the audience, often telling stories between songs. Lerche quickly draws you in, making your first meeting with him memorable.

Lerche released his first record, Faces Down, in 2001, and earned a Best New Artist award at the Norwegian Grammys. Rolling Stone named it one of the 50 best records of the year. Two Way Monologue (2004), Duper Sessions (2006) and Phantom Punch (2007) followed, along with a number of EPs and tours with everyone from Elvis Costello to A-ha (which is a bigger deal than it sounds; A-ha continued to have hits in Europe until they recently decided to call it quits in 2010).

Lerche performs without his band, but his stripped down approach allows him to assert his song’s most immediate and best melodic possibilities.

Sondre Lerche appears at the Parish at House of Blues with singer-songwriter JBM (Canadian Jesse Marchant) opening. Saturday, February 6.