Kings of Convenience is a Norwegian indie folk duo from Bergen, formed by childhood friends Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe in 1998. They began with the band Skog before shaping their distinct sound rooted in delicate vocals, intricate acoustic guitar harmonies, and intimate songwriting.
Their debut album Quiet Is the New Loud (2001), produced by Ken Nelson, sparked a folk-pop revival with its soft melodies and compelling lyrical style, earning critical acclaim and influencing a wave of acoustic artists. They followed it with Versus (2001), a remixed reinterpretation, and gained further recognition with Riot on an Empty Street (2004), featuring the hit single “I’d Rather Dance With You”—whose music video was MTV Europe's top video in 2004.
Their third album, Declaration of Dependence (2009), continued their acclaim and was supported by global tours across the Americas and Europe. After a 12-year pause, they reconvened and released Peace or Love in June 2021, recorded over five years across multiple studios. The album charted well, featured collaborations with Feist, and received praise for its purity and emotional clarity.
Despite their slow output, Kings of Convenience have influenced indie pop with their gentle, harmony-rich songs reminiscent of Simon & Garfunkel and Belle & Sebastian. They remain an active touring act with sold-out shows in Europe including a current 2025 tour spanning Bergen, Oslo, Istanbul, and Seoul.
