Album Notes

The story of singer/songwriter Ann-Marita's life unfolds over four countries on three different continents. The tiny, Norwegian farming town where she grew up had, according to herself "... endless winters, a lot of snow, and not a whole lot of music. I was way out of range of any music radio station, so I took to playing my dad's old country albums over and over, not knowing what a profound impact it would have on my life and career. At one point I realized that whenever I would open my mouth to sing, this twang would come out".
Constantly gathering experience and knowledge of music, Ann-Marita moved on out into the world, through Sweden, Iowa, Los Angeles and finally Australia. In Sweden, she studied with John Kincade, (referred to as "the best song-coach in Europe" by Swedish press), while developing her live chops gigging in and around Gothenburg. Among many things, Ann-Marita was a solo performer for a crowd of 35,000 at the opening ceremony of the Gothia Cup tournament. She then landed a 2-year contract as the lead vocalist for an international show band performing on cruise ships in Northern Europe. After completing her contract, she once again packed her bags and headed for California, attending Musicians Institute, where she after two years of music studies received the "Outstanding Vocal Student Award" for that year.
As things were looking very bright, Ann-Marita was offered a two-album record deal by a Los Angeles-based production company. After a year of day-and-night sessions and many lessons learned, Ann-Marita discovered that the contract had been a scam, and her "production team" had 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, Ann-Marita had written the songs for her self-titled debut album, which was recorded in part in California, then finished in Melbourne, Australia, with the help of 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.
About the theme of the 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 somehow moved when they heard 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 lyrical style and melodies are a bit more left-of-centre and unconventional than your average country-rocker, and her rich, sultry voice is instantly recognizable. These songs get to your heart, in your face, and in your head. Ann-Marita bends the rules of country music to create a sound as unique as a Norwegian/Swedish/American/Australian singer/songwriter could be.