Christian Ingebrigtsen is one of Norway’s most successful artists. The former member of a1 has already traveled the world with hits like: Everytime, Caught in the middle, Take on me, Same old brand new you, Be the first to believe, Summertime of our lives and many others.
When Columbia Records signed a1 in early 1999, it was one of the biggest deals in the record company’s history, leading to eight UK Top 10 singles (Including two number 1’s), consistent top 3 entries all over Asia and Europe, numerous gold and platinum awards and millions of album sales.
A1 has won international MTV Awards, two “Best Video” awards (TV Hits & Smash Hits) and the prestigious Brit Award (The UK “Grammy”) for Best British Newcomer in 2001, establishing themselves in the front ranks of original and creative pop music.
Christian embarked on his solo career in 2003, and reached the number one spot in his home country, Norway twice that year. First with “In love with an angel”, written by Christian and sung as a duet with Norwegian singer Maria Arredondo, then with “Things are gonna change”. His first solo album; “Take back yesterday” was a huge success, and certified platinum.
Born in 1977, Christian grew up in Siggerud outside Oslo, Norway. His father, Stein Ingebrigtsen, was one of Norway's most successful artists during the 70's, and sold more than one million records in Scandinavia and Europe.
Naturally, music became an important part of Christian’s life. He went on his very first tour at the age of three! Although he spent most of his time just looking out from behind the drum-kit that year, soon he would develop his talents for playing and performing.
He started taking violin lessons at the age of six, then went on to piano and guitar, and chose to study music and drama in high school. Soon he would play piano concerts in churches and for various functions in his local area. By the age of 16, he started writing his first songs. He studied in Kentucky, USA for one year, where he took part in musicals, talent shows and concerts. His talents and love for performing impressed those around him so much, he was given the highest honor awarded by the state: the title "Kentucky Colonel" by the governor in 1995 - a title Christian shares with such distinguished leaders as President Ronald Reagen, Sir Winston Churchill, and entertainers such as Bing Crosby and Johnny Depp!
He continued his classical piano training, as well as developing his skills as a composer, until in 1997; Christian was accepted among very few Norwegians, to study at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. The school is also known as the Paul McCartney fame-school. In his first year of studying song writing and production, a teacher at LIPA recommended Christian to manager Tim Byrne, who was looking for talents to work with. Christian met Tim and within a few moments Byrne was convinced that Christian was the right man for his next project. Together with three other talented young men (Ben Adams, Mark Read and Paul Marazzi) they developed and formed the group a1.
In 2006 Christian released his first Christmas album. This was a charitable project for the Salvation Army in Norway. Two of the songs were written by Christian himself, and the rest were classic Christmas tunes. It was recorded with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, and certified gold in Norway.
Christian’s new album; “The truth about lies” is his most personal one to date. Some of the songs are among the first he wrote. Others are closer to the Nashville inspired sound he learned to love while studying in Kentucky, USA. Christian has worked with great writers and producers such as Mike Hedges (U2, Manic Street Preachers, Travis), Eric Foster White (Madonna, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears), Chris Porter (George Michael, Take That), Mark Taylor and Brian Rowling (Cher, Enrique Iglesias), Peter Cunnah, (D:ream), Steve Mac (Westlife), Espen Lind and Amund Bjørklund at Espionage (Kym Marsh, Maria Arredondo), Craig Hardy (Holly Valance, Samantha Mumba, Lemar), Rick Mitra (LULU, a1), and Bjørn Erik Pedersen (Trine Rein, Maria Arredondo).
This new record, however, is recorded and produced mainly by Christian himself, and a few of the tracks, are produced by Adam Kviman (Eagle-Eye Cherry, Jewel) and Adam Anders (Steven Curtis Chapman, Backstreet Boys).
The album is released in Norway October 22.
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