About
Emil Andreassen
Emil Andreassen is a Norwegian singer-songwriter and troubadour from the city of Fredrikstad.
His songs are often deeply melodic, with poetic lyrics at their core.
He draws inspiration from Nordic artists such as Jan Eggum and Lillebjørn Nilsen from Norway, and Swedish legends like Cornelis Vreeswijk and Fred Åkerström.
Among his English-language influences are Nick Drake, Tracy Chapman, Leonard Cohen, Tanita Tikaram, and Neil Young.
With the guitar as his faithful companion – often tuned in alternative tunings – he sings with heartfelt sincerity and emotional depth.
While the tone and style of his songs may vary, certain themes appear again and again:
A deep care for nature and the well-being of all people on this fragile planet.
Many of his songs carry a political undercurrent, focusing on the importance of building a more peaceful world – a world where everyone can live freely.
And of course, as one might expect from a classic troubadour, there are also ballads about love and loss ❤️🔥
Musical Background
Emil has been drawn to music since childhood and has always loved to sing.
He started out playing the clarinet – and later the saxophone – in his local school band.
But early on, he felt the urge to go his own musical way and began composing songs of his own.
Already in secondary school, he was experimenting with songwriting – both electronic and acoustic – and gradually found his voice as a troubadour, writing lyrics in both Norwegian and English.
His musical influences are many and varied: blues, jazz, folk, classical, and pop can all be heard in his sound.
The distinct tonal character of Norwegian folk music often finds its way into his guitar playing, giving many of his songs a unique, almost mystical atmosphere.
Emil has performed several times at the Nick Drake Gathering in the UK, where he has connected with other singer-songwriters who explore various alternative guitar tunings – just as Nick Drake did in his own songs.
The Journey Continues…
In 2022/23, he studied at the legendary Nordic Singer-Songwriter Academy in Kungälv, Sweden – a creatively inspiring experience among fellow musicians who shared a passion for Nordic folk and songwriting traditions.
Since then, Emil has performed widely across Norway and Sweden.
In the summer of 2025, he was the only Norwegian participant in the unique project “Trubadurskeppet.”
Aboard the sailing boat Alexandra, a group of leading Nordic singer-songwriters performed concerts throughout the Finnish archipelago – for packed and enthusiastic audiences.
It was a magical journey that sparked new ideas and lasting artistic connections.
Looking ahead, Emil is planning several collaborative projects with fellow artists from across the Nordic countries.
