Ida Maria was born and raised in the small town of Nesna in Nordland county, Norway. She gained considerable success in Norway in 2007 after winning two national competitions for unknown artists – Zoom urørt 2006 and Urørtkonkurransen 2007 – and playing successful shows at the annual Norwegian music industry festival By:Larm 2007 and 2008. Her singles “Oh My God” and “Stella” went on to be played regularly on Norwegian national radio.
Popularity for the gifted performer followed in other parts of the world especially in the United Kingdom, where she appeared on Later… with Jools Holland and performed at the Glastonbury Festival, as well as playing multiple sold out headline shows across the nation. Further festival performances included appearances at Reading and Leeds and Ida was also nominated for Best Rock/Indie Artist category at the BT Digital Music Awards 2008. Perez Hilton championed the singer’s cause in 2009, even booking her on his own tour of the US.
