Fra Lippo Lippi
Fra Lippo Lippi is a Norwegian new wave solo project currently fronted by Per Øystein Sørensen. Originally formed in 1978 as Genetic Control by Rune Kristoffersen, Bjørn Sorknes, and Morten Sjøberg, they had several hits in the 1980s, such as "Shouldn't Have to Be Like That", "Everytime I See You" and "Light and Shade". The band name is derived from Robert Browning's poem about the Renaissance painter Filippo Lippi.
In 1981, before the release of its debut album In Silence, Sorknes departed from the band, and the following year, Per Øystein Sørensen was inducted as the band's lead vocalist in time for the release of its second album Small Mercies (1983). After Small Mercies, Fra Lippo Lippi became a four-piece band with the inclusion of Øyvind Kvalnes as a keyboardist and released the third album Songs (1985), with Sorknes guest appearing for the album's single 'Say Something". However, Kvalnes, as well as Sornes and Sjøberg all departed from the band citing personal reasons, leaving Kristoffersen and Sørensen as the remaining members.
As a two-piece band and signed into Virgin Records, Songs was re-released worldwide in 1986 while Kristoffersen and Sørensen recorded the follow-up album Light and Shade (1987). Upon release to a poor sales performance, the band parted ways with Virgin Records and signed into BMG. In 1988, the Fra Lippo Lippi became the first Norwegian act to perform in the Philippines, where there is a large following of listeners for the band's new wave genre. The following year, the band independently released The Colour Album (1989) to a mixed critical and sales reception, while its non-album single "Sitches and Burns" became successful in the Philippines.
In 2002, Kristoffersen left the band, leaving Sørensen as its sole remaining member. Sørensen released In the Brilliant White exclusively in the Philippines, featuring Filipino singer Kyla in the album's second single "Wish We Were Two", before eventually releasing the album in Norway. As of 2026, Sørensen continues to write and record music, sometimes performing live, occasionally with his touring musicians, in Norway and the Philippines.
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