Award-winning singer-songwriter Kurt Nilsen can remember working daily to support his kids as a plumber, and then struggling nightly to pursue his dreams as a musician. Nilsen’s anthemic story would find him rising to prominence as a powerhouse Norwegian artist who won the international singing competition, World Idol. Back home, he is beloved for his dazzling Christmas shows, his stunning vocal prowess, and his country-tinged solo albums. For his latest album, Like My Love For The Ocean, out February 2026, Nilsen decided to shake things up by creating a gorgeous crooner-with-orchestra album. It’s a romantic and cinematic modern classic perfect for a sophisticated international audience that savors Malbecs and espressos. Nilsen’s songwriting abilities have often been overshadowed by his gifts as a singer, until now. Like My Love For The Ocean is the perfect setting for his sumptuous vocals. It’s an album that invites comparisons to Chet Baker, Willie Nelson—who Nilsen has worked with—and Norah Jones. It’s Nilsen’s first album with an orchestra, and it features Norway's finest—the Grammy-winning ensemble, TrondheimSolistene. From winning World Idol, he embarked on a chart-topping solo career. His Christmas album, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, stayed on top of the Norwegian album charts for five consecutive weeks. He has performed with a diverse array of artists, from Willie Nelson to former Spice Girl Melanie C.