More on: Ida Maria

Ida Maria is famed in her adopted hometown of Stockholm for her riotous live act, and UK audiences will get to see for themselves when she brings her band over for the Levi's One To Watch tour and support dates with Good Shoes this winter.

Norwegian Ida recently released her debut UK single 'Oh My God' on a limited 7" vinyl, and we had a quick chat with her about what she's up to.

How did you find your recent UK shows?
I love the crowd in UK, you are so open and enthusiastic! Especially Glasgow - it was like a crazy houseparty. Dublin Castle was great fun; we were drunk and had a good time, that much I know from the bruises the day after. I think I counted 16 on each leg, I looked like I'd been beaten up. I'm really looking forward to coming back.

What's the worst injury you've received at a gig?
Broke my ribs once, that was quite entertaining - I couldn´t walk for a month. Tried to jump backwards and I've never done it before. So there I was on the floor thinking: I'll lie here for a while and hope no one notices. I'd almost recovered when I broke them up again some months later when I sung on a track for the album. Painful.

How do you unwind after your set?
Get drunk.

When did you realise you wanted to be in a band?
When I saw a rock-concert when I was 16. I realised this must be the best way you can spend your life, and it is.

Why did you leave Norway to live in Stockholm? What's the music scene like in Norway right now?
I left because I was sick of the rain in Bergen, it rains 250 days a year, often 50 days in a row, and I was generally depressed and needed some change. Stockholm is a great city. Norway has a lot of good acts like Ungdomskulen, Hanne Hukkelberg, Datarock, Royksopp and Kings Of Convenience. From Sweden you should check out Familjen and The Knife.

How did you find your bandmates?
I didn't know anyone in Stockholm when I moved there so it was quite a catch really. I stole my bassplayer from another band, as he was a great musician. So I kinda set him up by saying we're only playing this one show, but he kinda got stuck here... Olle the drummer was an old friend of an old friend of mine, and had been playing with a lot of the good underground bands in Bergen. He loves to play drum solos. Stefan the guitarist was out of work at the time and had a notorious reputation. I love them all. They're fantastic guys.

What stories are going to be found on your debut album?
Stories about me and my friends, fucked up relationships, sleeping on couches, running out of friends, drunk nights, high flights, and about Stella of course. 'Stella And God' is a song about when God gave the world away to Stella the hooker to get a night with her. The single is out this Winter.

Do you still run your own record label Nesna? What are your plans for it?
Nesna Records are named after my hometown Nesna up in northern Norway, but we are based outside Stockholm and I run it together with the gentleman Sebastian Fors. We will will release Sebastian Fors & The Ones That Got Away's EP and album in Spring next year, and we'll probably release some of our friends music in the future.

Becky Reed

Ida Maria Myspace