Soda
Soda was a Norwegian Traditional Bubblegum dance group built around the vocalist "Soda" (Anne J) and made up of members Anne J, Geir, Glenn, Papa Kwesi, and Frank. The first single recorded by Soda was Summer Delight in 1997, and the first single to be released was I Wanna Be in March 1998. Since 1998, Soda has released three albums, "Sodapop" (1999), "Popcorn" (2000), and "Popaholic" (2001/02).
The release of the album "Popaholic" saw the introduction of a new lead vocalist, Kine Westvik, who replaced Soda's original singer, Anne J, from the previous albums. The reason for Anne J's departure from Soda is unknown.
Brief History
The first single to be recorded by Soda was entitled Summer Delight (1997). The first single to be released was I Wanna Be in March 1998, in Norway. It achieved frequent radio time, although it was not a sale success. Summer Delight hit the stores in June 1998, while Soda were recording the forthcoming album. In January 1999, the turning point came when 2 Cool 2 B Cool was released. The song hit the radio charts with a bang, and now Norway was ready to welcome their first album.
On the 15th of March 1999 Soda released their debut album "Sodapop". The album was recorded in Trondheim at the famous Westside Studios, produced by Thomas Ekle and Jan, and at Brygga Studios, produced by Ulf Risnes, between August 1998 and February 1999. Sodapop contained 13 happy dance pop tracks. Most of the songs were written by Geir, Frank and Anne J herself. After its release, it went straight to #3 on the album charts in Norway, and stayed there for quite some time. In Norway the sales went platinum.
"Handsome" was the first single slated for release stateside. Already a smash hit in their home country of Norway and creating a buzz in the US, the single had high hopes for Soda. The song and its remixes promised to open the world's eyes to Soda and their club friendly grooves. Soda had planned to release a self-titled American debut in April 2001 featuring songs that had already been amazingly popular in Scandinavia.
In July 2000 Soda released their second album "Popcorn". It stayed 12 weeks in the sales charts, reaching #11 as best position. The next CD single to be released was "Hey You", which was remixed for radio play. Included on the single was a karaoke version and a "live" video recorded at "Samfundet" in Trondheim, Norway on 8th January 1999.
Change of members + 3rd album
Around 2001, Anne J and Papa Kwesi left Soda. We have been unable to source a reason why they left the group, so if you have any information on this please contact us. The remaining members needed a new lead vocalist and after a bit of searching they discovered Kine Westvik from Norway. Together with a new producer called Heartman, the group began to work hard recording new material for their 3rd studio album. The first single from the album was "Hurricane," marking their return to the music scene. "Born To Love You" was the next single and showed off the amazing singing talent of Kine. Soda's 3rd album, titled "Popaholic" was released in 2002.
"Popaholic" was more serious than their other 2 albums, particularly "Popcorn" which fell right in the middle of the bubblegum dance production craze of 1999/2000. However, Soda kept close to their bubblegum roots with the song "Mediterranean Boy."
Anne J's Biography
Growing up in Norway, Anne/Soda had to learn to speak English just to know what her parents were talking about. "Whenever parents in Norway are saying something they don't want their kids to hear, they'll say it in a different language", she says. Hers would use English and German, so she quickly learned how to speak both languages fluently. She picked up most of her English by watching American television. The Brady Bunch and The Partridge Family were her two favorite shows. Ever since then she has dreamed of coming to America. Her father was a sailor and traveled around the world. She used to ask him to bring her along, but he said she had to wait until she was 21.
This health conscious singer likes to work out. She enjoys everything from weight training to dog walking and is even into Kick Boxing! She hopes to take horseback riding lessons soon in order to overcome her life-long fear of horses. She doesn't eat read meat but really loves sushi. It's one of her favorite things. She misses her mother's cooking. "My mother makes magic in the kitchen", she says.
Although her pastimes keep her busy, they all fall in line behind her music. She has been performing since she was 6 years old. Like her hero Aretha Franklin, she plays piano and sings. Though she'd love to learn to play other instruments, it's always her singing and the piano that she comes back to, probably because of Aretha. " Aretha Franklin's music touches you in ways that no other singer can", she says of the R+B legend.
Soda's dream is to make music that reaches people in the same way. "Music is the love of my life," she says. It only takes one listen to her new song "Handsome" to know how true that is. Soon she'll have the chance to perform for American audiences in person. That is something she's been waiting her whole life for, and she's ready!
Members' Quick Facts
Below is the members of Soda and some quick fact questions that they have answered. Unfortunately, Papa Kwesi's Quick Facts was lost from their official Web site, which is now closed. If you have any information on this member of Soda please contact us.
Anne J
Real name: Anne Judith Stokke Wik
Date of birth: 5th May 1978
Do I have any brothers or sisters: None
My Nickname: Anne J., Missing Link
My Favourite Drink: Cola
My Favourite Food: Moussaka
My Favourite Colour: Black
My Favourite Animal: Panther
My Idol(s): Aretha Franklin and Brandy
My Favourite Film: Trainspotting
What I like most: Relaxed days and friendship
What I hate most: Arrogant people and getting up early
My Favourite Memory: The day we signed the record contract
Geir Wanvik
When I was born: 1.10.1970
Do I have any brothers or sisters: Yes, my sister Ingrid
My Nickname: Gipsy, Gekko
My Favourite Drink: Coke
My Favourite Food: Ciao-Ciao at "Frati"
My Favourite Colour: A generally colorful person am I ;)
My Favourite Animal: Dolphin
My Idol(s): Denniz PoP (R.I.P)
My Favourite Film: The Star-Wars movies
What I like most: To be in the studio and to sleep
What I hate most: Snow
My Favourite Memory: The summer of 1997
Glenn Lindmark
When I was born: 28.9.1978
Do I have any brothers or sisters: My sister Lene
My Nickname: Sea sausage, the mole
My Favourite Drink: Coke and Irish coffee
My Favourite Food: Beef Strips & Pomme de Terre Gratin
My Favourite Colour: Blue
My Favourite Animal: Steak
My Idol(s): George Lucas and Steven Spielberg
My Favourite Film: "F**king Amal" (Swedish family film about teenagers)
What I like most: Driving a Honda S2000
What I hate most: Not driving a Honda S2000
My Favourite Memory: Solo landing a plane for the first time.
Frank Pedersen
When I was born: 2.4.1976
Do I have any brothers or sisters: Yes, my sister Randi
My Nickname: S?pa, Peders
My Favourite Drink: Coke and beer
My Favourite Food: Venison
My Favourite Colour: Blue
My Favourite Animal: Fried chicken
My Idol(s): Svein Enok N?rsteb? and Thomas R?ed
My Favourite Film: Titanic, Braveheart and Happy Gilmore
What I like most: If Everton (Liverpool Football Team) keeps up, and that TIK (the ice hockey club in Trondheim) wins everything next year
What I hate most: Mattis Haakensen in the Ice Hockey Stadium at Leangen, Trondheim.
My Favourite Memory: Receiving the Gold Disc for 25.000 sales of "Sodapop"
