Hands down the most badass rock act on our roster is Ida Maria. Like, no contest. Imagine if Bjork never left the Sugarcubes and just steadily grew more ferocious over time, eventually bursting into flames and rising up like a Scandinavian punk rock Phoenix. And clutched in her flaming talons would be “Dirty Money”, the absolutely immaculate record which officially dropped today!
“Dirty Money” was written and recorded in LA with guitarist/producer Ryan Spraker (The Glorious Sons, Eli “Paperboy Reed), who helped Ida achieve the loudest and most powerful sound she’s ever produced. Paired with top notch songwriting and Ida’s signature punk rock aesthetic, this album beats you over the head and sticks to your brain for days. The clear standout for sync is “Celebration”, with the perfect blend of swagger, guitar riffs, vocalese hooks and handclaps sufficient to make any music supervisor swoon. The song could work equally well as a commercial for Norweigan Cruise Lines or a house party montage with rowdy teenagers ripping the place to pieces.
Born a synesthete, Ida discovered her innate talent for music and songwriting at the age of 14 and spent her formative years playing in bands throughout Europe. Having established herself as a major label rock artist with hits like “Oh My God,” and “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked” from her debut album Fortress ‘round My Heart, she returned home to her native Norway after becoming disillusioned with the music industry and the major label system. An iconoclast by nature, she struggled to fit the industry’s perception of her, at one point literally smashing an award she received.
“A girl can’t put out music on a major platform without going through some twisted insane beauty ideal that doesn’t correspond with my own ideals of what a woman can be. A woman is a complex creature. There are not enough complex female role voices out there.”
Now releasing music independently through Symphonic, Ida has stepped up her game and is ready to once again conquer the world on her own terms. After all, it’s the Viking way!
