Since my professional life is very variated, you will find specific bio’s for my different fields of interest at the end.

Thea Paulsrud (b. 1996) is a multifaceted Norwegian creative, seamlessly blending her talents as a musician, illustrator, visual artist, and musicologist. With a passion for soul and blues, Thea embarked on her musical journey early in life. After completing her Master’s degree in Musicology, she delved deeper into her artistic endeavors. Alongside her solo project, she is an integral member of Soft City, a band recognized for their captivating performances across Norway and Europe. Thea’s artistic versatility extends to her visual creations, where she showcases her talent through commissioned works for notable companies and collaborations with fellow musicians. Her academic pursuits reflect her dedication to music business, media, copyright, and gender studies, enriching her contributions to the field. Beyond her creative endeavors, Thea also serves as a social media manager at Musikkontoret.no and holds a secretary position at Musikkindustriens Næringsråd, showcasing her commitment to supporting and advancing the music industry.

The voice of Thea Sørli Paulsrud carries the message in a delightful way.
It’s tough, appropriately raw, and she conveys the message in a manner that
makes me believe in her – she conveys something genuine and credible.
– Tor Hammerø, Nettavisen, on Soft City’s album Settle for the Moon (2022)

Thea Paulsrud’s musical journey spans soul, blues, big band, rock, pop and Norwegian “viser,” showcasing her versatility and passion for diverse genres. As a vocalist and songwriter, she leads her self-titled band, where she has released the EP Safe Haven (2021) and a captivating music video, with an eagerly anticipated debut album in the works. Additionally, she is a vital member and lead singer of Soft City, a band celebrated for their dynamic performances across the European field of blues. By the release of their debut album, Nettavisen stated that “Soft City confirms with “Settle for the Moon” that the blues legacy, with accompanying glories, are taken care of in the very best ways”. Thea’s musical prowess extends beyond bands; she frequently collaborates with other artists, and delivers mesmerizing solo performances. From intimate weddings to prestigious blues festivals, Thea’s voice resonates with audiences, leaving an indelible impression wherever she performs.

Among her former collaborations are Damer i Blues, Tor Einar “Dr.” Bekken, Heimevernets musikkorps (concert band), Glommasvingen Janitsjar, Leif Anders Wentzel Big Band, Magnolia Jazzband and S. Møller Storband (big band).

Confident, delightful, and self-assured, and Thea’s voice is the icing on the cake.
– Radio Revolt on the song Safe Haven (2021)

(…) at the forefront is the power vocalist Thea Paulsrud, with characteristic intonation and a typical vocalist aura.
– Audun Vinger, Dagens Næringsliv, on Soft City’s album Settle for the Moon (2022)

As in the title track with its danceable, vigorously retro riff, one of the band’s winning weapons is Thea Paulsrud’s false-innocent singing.
– Edoardo Fassio, Rock and Blues International, 2023

Thea Paulsrud’s visual arts portfolio boasts commissioned works for esteemed companies like the Norwegian bakery Godt Brød and festivals such as Havstrøm and Feminalen. In addition to her commercial endeavors, Thea collaborates with fellow musicians, infusing their releases with her distinctive visual flair. Her fascination for painting and different arts media started out at her grandmother’s kitchen table, where she – a talented porcelain painter – thought her the most essential, and inspired a passionate expression through handcraft.

Thea Paulsrud’s academic pursuits in musicology and research underscore her commitment to understanding and enriching the musical landscape. With a focus on music analysis, music business, media, copyright, and gender studies, she brings a nuanced perspective to her scholarly endeavors. Engaged as an assistant to prof. Anne Danielsen at RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion (University of Oslo), Thea is eager to learn and contribute to the discourse surrounding music and its intersections with society, culture, and industry. With project management experience from smaller studies she underscores a proactive approach to exploring and advocating for the professional and independent facets of music.