Ann-Marita
"INTUITION" album release, 2007.
"Intuition" is the second album release from Norwegian-born singer/songwriter Ann-Marita, and it continues to push the boundaries of modern country music where her 2004 self-titled debut left off. Backed up by some of Australia's top musicians and produced by guitar virtuoso Brett Garsed, Ann-Marita delivers an album rich in diversity and creativity. Unlike numerous country albums to date, this one tells the story of a life far from confined to the space of one's home town. From growing up in a Norwegian mining community north of the Arctic Circle, to coming of age as a foreign exchange student in the American Midwest, to singing party tunes on Swedish cruise ships, to being broke but hopeful, pounding the Los Angeles pavement, to building a new life and career in Melbourne, Australia, this girl has lived to tell all, and every little bit of experience has added its share to the heartfelt stories and soaring melodies on "Intuition".
"As I was writing these songs, I realized there was a theme starting to form," Ann-Marita says. "There was a thread running through everything, tying the songs together. Listening to your instincts, following your heart and your gut. The title "Intuition" seemed to fall naturally into place. Especially after I wrote what was to become the opening track and first single; "A Woman's Intuition".
This song kicks off the album with a very non-country distorted guitar riff, moving into a knock-down rock'n'roll anthem, reminiscent of The Eagles or early Linda Ronstadt, with Ann-Marita's powerhouse voice tearing through the chorus: "I ain't puttin' it down to superstition/ You can't mess with a woman's intuition".
"Intuition to me isn't about being psychic," Ann-Marita explains. "Women often tend to spend more time listening to other people than to what their own gut is trying to tell them. I've been accused of writing a lot of girl-power songs, and as you can see, I'm not about to stop anytime soon!"
From the rootsy rock'n'roll of the opening track, Ann-Marita explores the growing feelings of insecurity within a relationship when miscommunication sets in, in the bare-all honesty of "What the Hell (Goes On In There)". "Under the Iowa Sky" and "Three Magic Words" are as country as Ann-Marita gets, and these have become two of the most requested songs at her live shows around her various home countries. "Company Town" is an ode to Ann-Marita's home town in Northern Norway, showing off the distinct influence of Norwegian folk music, mixed with bluesy Americana, exemplifying the uniqueness of her style. The album moves steadily along with the gut-wrenching yet triumphant "State Line", the longing for self-acceptance, or if not, then at least an invite to "the beautiful people's world" in the catchy rocker "Wish I Was More Like That", "Gettin' On That Bus"; a tale of changing your destiny with all odds against you, denouncing worthless friendships to a Western swing beat in "Two-Faced", a CEO's wife's frustration over having lived in her husband's shadow for too long in the funky blues-rocker "Mrs. You", and ending with the gospel thump and affirmation of self-empowerment of "Done Doin' Time".
"Intuition" is not your average mainstream modern country album. It is, however, proof that an indie artist on a shoestring budget can absolutely make a record that can compete with the majors on every level. All it takes is outstanding musicianship, a producer who can cut to the core of what the artist is truly about, a lot of guts, drive and a healthy sense of humor, and last but definitely not least; some damn great songs and a big, big voice.
Viking Girl Promotions, 2007.
Ann-Marita - full bio.
“I was a skinny girl with oversized glasses, and on this particular evening, I was sitting in front of a black and white television set in the living room of my family’s farm house in Norway. I was watching The Muppet Show, with their “very special guest star, Mr. Kenny Rogeeers!!!” Kenny was on a train, surrounded by Muppets, singing “The Gambler”. A scraggly, old Muppet was sitting by the window, acting as the Gambler himself. At the time, I didn’t know country music from anything, but I just knew that I loved that sound, that honesty, that feel.
Fast-forward to some twenty years later, I’m all grown up, and have just finished laying down the final vocal track on my debut album in our home studio in Victoria, Australia. I go into the living room, turn on the TV, and start channel surfing. On one of the children’s channels, an old Muppet Show rerun is on. And it turns out to be the very same episode, the very same scene, and the very same Kenny Rogers sitting on that train singing “The Gambler” to his friend, the scraggly old Muppet by the window. I just watch, and think that I’ve come full circle.”
The story of singer/songwriter Ann-Marita’s life unfolds over four countries on three different continents. Growing up on a farm in the Norwegian mountains, she was as country as country gets. But with a great love of music and the desire to create some herself, without any role models closer than the stars of her parents’ record collection; Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves, Lynn Anderson, and of course – Kenny, she had to use her imagination. She taught herself to play air piano on a peculiarly shaped rock on her family’s property, before she eventually graduated onto an antique church organ with pump pedals, - the only musical instrument she had access to.
By the time Ann-Marita was a teenager, she was writing songs and performing wherever she could. She was influenced by other musical styles like rock and blues, which would color the sound that eventually was to become so uniquely her; the sound that has been referred to as “Ann-Marita Country”.
Ann-Marita’s slow trip around the world started with many years living in a small mining community north of The Arctic Circle. Then, at fifteen, she spent a year living in Iowa, USA, as a foreign exchange student. This was followed by Gothenburg, Sweden; where she landed a two-year contract as the lead vocalist in an international show band performing on cruise ships in Northern Europe. Having completed her contract, she headed for Hollywood, California, where she after two years of music studies received the “Most Outstanding Vocal Student” award from the acclaimed Musicians Institute. Things were looking very bright, as Ann-Marita signed a two-album record deal with a Los Angeles-based production company. But after a year of day-and-night recording sessions and many lessons learned, Ann-Marita found that the contract had been a scam, and her “production team” had mysteriously disappeared off the face of the planet. It was time to try something different.
Ann-Marita arrived in Australia in 2003, ready for a new beginning. Through the obstacles and turmoil, she had written the songs for her self-titled debut album, which was recorded in part in a friend’s studio in California, with the help of musicians like bassist Ric Fierabracci from Chick Corea’s Electric Band, then finished in Melbourne, Australia, where some of Australia’s top musicians; guitarists Brett Garsed and Stuart Fraser, keyboard player Chong Lim, and harmonica player Steve Williams, all from the John Farnham band, added their parts to the project.
About the theme of her first album, Ann-Marita says: “This record is about growing up, and having to do it a little faster than expected. It’s about heartbreak, survival and finding your place in the world. I don’t write about rodeos or pickup trucks, but when someone tells me that they were moved by one of my songs, - even though they wouldn’t normally listen to country music, I know that I’ve hit the mark.”
Ann-Marita’s debut album has gained airplay in Australia, New Zealand, USA and a number of European countries, and propelled Ann-Marita past around 3,000 other artists to hit the # 20 spot on the Worldwide Mainstream Most Played Major & Indie Artists Chart by the end of 2004. Her first single, “Face In The Crowd”, released through Comstock Records, hit # 4 on the European Country Music Association airplay charts in Scandinavia, the U.K., and Austria that same month. Ann-Marita received rave album reviews, and became a Top 10 Finalist in the MusicOz Awards; Australia’s top independent music awards, in 2005. The album also helped secure her a spot among only four artists to be sponsored by Sonicbids to travel to Berlin to showcase at the 2006 Popkomm Festival.
2007 sees the release of Ann-Marita’s second album, titled “Intuition”. Tirelessly gigging, writing, and creating, Ann-Marita is carving out her niche in the music industry, evading categorization and preconceived notions with ease.