Ida Maria – Oh My God
Through the oblique pop pushed debut album, ‘Fortress Around My Heart’, Norway’s quirky and exuberant 24 year old vixen, Ida Maria Borli Silvertson gave those who like their music “out of the box” a veritable feast of the obscure, quirky, self-confident and passionate.
Now, ‘Oh My God’, one of the potent pop pearls concealed within this album, displays all of the seventies guitar turning, slightly eerie yet strangely crisp New Wave vocals that reveal soul foraging and defiance. IDA uses this to provoke and captivate in equal measures.
What is most noticeable in this sauntering single is the sheer independence that this Norwegian pop-let oozes. Despite coming from an obscure little town, Ida is suddenly realizing that there is a great deal of universal appeal in the outlook that has grown out of her solitary upbringing.
Ida Maria – Club Academy, Manchester 20/11/08
High profile support slots can either promote you to a similar platform as the main act stands upon, or it can leave you feeling like a Guantanamo Bay detainee; judged without a full and proper trial. Unfortunately, for the quirky Norwegian, Ida Maria the lairy and expectant crowds that gathered to see The Courteeners when she last visited the UK, had expectations that weren’t compatible with her hollow, well crafted pop/new wave Bjork and Amy Studt merging pitch. Tonight is her night, as the glamorously glad females and slick males make it known that Ida can do no wrong. The carefully promoted starlet shuffles briskly and surely onto the stage at one of her biggest UK headline shows. Then sticks rigidly to the script that is her debut album, ‘Fortress Around My Heart’.
Her giddy, alcohol fuelled demeanour gives reality to the rugged, acoustic trickling ‘Louie’. Authenticity is given to the words;
“Louie, I’m always drunk, as drunk as can be.”
A crowd enhanced delivery of the above line gives this Thursday evening occasion more life, as it runs into a Friday feeling. This impetus increase is something that benefits the clatter pop parading, ‘Oh My God’. Ida’s stage presence flits from humble bewilderment, to carefully rehearsed self promotion and usually culminates in a little alcohol inspired frivolity. Some super-confidence of the Oasis lyrical vein is gushed forth in the old style, new wave reviving previous single, ‘Queen of the World’.
Satisfied, is the look on attendees faces as they head towards the exit. Although, for the impartial judgement reserving amongst us questions still linger, due to the lack of new material on show. The main one being whether or not Ida will remain a haven for the adventurous, Bjork spirited folk, or if she and her well oiled backing band will look to impart a bit of universal strut to the material? That is in order to be able to hob-know with the likes of The Courteeners again.
By Dave Adair
Ida Maria – Queen Of The World
Building up with a strolling, uncompromising Amy Studt veined defiance and self-assurance into a quirky Cat Power chorus, underlines the promise of 23 year old Norwegian, Ida Maria. Who parades independent minded lyrics through slightly eccentric, but endearing vocal lag. ‘Queen Of The World’, is moody yet uplifting and shows an increasing cosmopolitan depth to modern pop music, with an old fashioned guitar lob providing a touch of nostalgia.
Small town rebelliousness is delivered with hearty abandon and builds upon the promise shown on two singles released through her own label, Nesma Records. Ida is determined to do things her own way and this single shows a certain defiance of current trends. This summer sees the release of Ida’s debut album, signs are there already to suggest that it could be the perfect accompaniment to a balmy summer’s evening in front of the campfire.
By Dave Adair