Ann-Marita

Artist Information

Biography

From Arctic Norway to the south of Sweden, to the U.S. Midwest, Australia and California, singer/songwriter Ann-Marita has found her home - and her stage - wherever she has moved to. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Ann-Marita has released two solo albums to date; her self-titled debut and her sophomore release "Intuition", which have both earned her rave reviews, airplay on several continents, performances at top music industry events like Popkomm and Canadian Music Week, as well as numerous award nominations and -wins for both her solid songwriting skills and expressive vocals. Country, rock'n'roll, blues, folk...Ann-Marita's style is as eclectic as her background, just as could be expected.

Presently, Ann-Marita is performing at clubs and festivals all over the U.S., while recording her third solo album, to be released in early 2013. With an acoustic guitar or with a full band, this amazing performer will bring any crowd to their feet with her powerhouse voice and that sound that is so uniquely her; the sound that has been referred to as "Ann-Marita Country". So come on in to Ann-Marita Country and have a listen for yourself.



Some career highlights include:

* Endorsed by musical equipment companies including Tradition Guitars, Daisy Rock Guitars, Shubb capos, Dunlop, etc.
* A 4th place win in the Unisong International Songwriting Contest with her song "Company Town".
* A finalist in the 2009 Faces of Violence Singer/Songwriter competition with "State Line".
* Nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year in the Victorian and National Country Music Awards, Australia.
* Performances at top music industry events like Popkomm (Berlin),Canadian Music Week and California Music Industry Summit.
* Included on numerous compilation albums; for example "New Country Roads Vol. 4" (distributed throughout Europe), "Music for the Gulf", "Females On Fire" (produced by Warrior Girl Music) and Indie Country Gold (on Colt Records).
* Two songs ("Class of '93" and "You Said Forever") included on Australian Logie-nominated television series "Mortified".
* Featured in nationally distributed Australian magazine Country Music Capital News.
* Received airplay in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Japan, many European countries and on a wide array of internet radio stations.
* The single "Alive And Kickin'" made the Top 10 on the Indie World Country Report, as well as # 8 on the indie-music.com country chart.

Instrumentation

Ann-Marita - Vocals, rhythm guitar.

...and a circle of amazing musicians who back up Ann-Marita depending on availability. Ann-Marita will do acoustic performances with just one or two more players or by herself, or with a full band, depending on venue and requirements.

Discography

"Chatterbox Cafe" - album, to be released 2012.
"Intuition" - LP 2007
"A Woman's Intuition" - single, Viking Girl Records, 2007.
"State Line", single, Indie Country Gold, Colt Records, 2008.
"Ann-Marita" - LP 2004
"Face In The Crowd", single, Comstock Records, 2004, NFS Publicity, 2005.
"Alive And Kickin'", single, NFS Publicity 2005, WHP 2005.
"Class Of '93" and "You Said Forever" included on New Country Roads Vol. 4 compilation album, distributed throughout Europe on ZYX Records.
"Class of '93" and "You Said Forever", featured songs on Australian award-nominated TV-series "Mortified".
"Alive And Kickin'", included on Females On Fire II compilation, on Warrior Girl Music.
"Sounds Good To Me", included on Sounds Like Cafe Vol. 9 compilation, Australia.
"Alive And Kickin'" included on Hurricane Healing Vol.3.

Official Website

http://www.annmarita.com

Links

• Facebook
• Buy Ann-Marita's music from CD Baby
• MySpace
• Jango Airplay

Audio

• State Line
  Listen  
• Karoline with a K
  Listen  
• A Woman's Intuition
  Listen  
• Alive And Kickin'
  Listen  
• Face In The Crowd
  Listen  
• What the Hell (Goes On In There)
  Listen  
• Sounds Good To Me
  Listen  
• Company Town
  Listen  
• Gettin' On That Bus
  Listen  

Lyrics

• State Line
• A Woman's Intuition
• Face In The Crowd
• What the Hell (Goes On In There)
• Alive And Kickin'
• Sounds Good To Me
• Three Magic Words
• Company Town
• Karoline with a K

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• www.indie-music.com review [+ Show ]
  

  Reviews: Ann-Marita ~ Intuition Posted on Sunday, October 07, 2007 @ 22:27:09 EDT Topic: Reviews ...Reviews: Ann-Marita ~ Intuition
  Posted on Sunday, October 07, 2007 @ 22:27:09 EDT
  Topic: Reviews
  
  Artist: Ann-Marita
  
  CD: Intuition
  
  Home: Victoria, Australia
  
  Style: Country
  
  Quote: "Country music is really more international than we realize."
  
  By Derek Blackmon
  
  Upon first hearing Ann-Marita’s latest release Intuition, there is no immediate evidence of this being country music performed by someone born in Norway and now living in Australia. Bringing a punchy driving sound that recalls the Jack White-influenced rebirth of Loretta Lynn, there is a breath of fresh air being exhaled in the music industry, and we should hope that others follow suit.
  
  Shunning the Skoal-ringed redneck that is Gretchen Wilson, this is a better sound ("A Woman’s Intuition") without the ‘try this, it’ll give you cancer’ quality of Wilson’s songs.
  
  “Under the Iowa Sky” will leave you asking how a Norwegian can bag a winner so easily, especially upon realizing she’s been handed a raw deal on occasion (bogus label flies by night, singer perseveres), showing she has no problem facing the beast and staring him down when he rears his ugly head. “Company Town” is an edgy number that harkens to days when things were more deplorable and fascist than now, whether we’d like to admit it or not.
  
  I would like to find something to point out about an Aussie making such a damn fine country album, however there just isn’t anything on Intuition that would make that justifiable. Maybe that’s the point: Country music is really more international than we realize.
  

• "Intuition" - Huntington News review [+ Show ]
  

  April 19, 2007 CD REVIEW: Ann-Marita’s ‘Intuition’ is a Great Fusion Country Sound, Artful Blend...April 19, 2007
  
  CD REVIEW: Ann-Marita’s ‘Intuition’ is a Great Fusion Country Sound, Artful Blend of Country and Rock: Original Songs by a Powerhouse Singer with a Great Future
  
  By David M. Kinchen
  Huntington News Network Music Critic
  
  Hinton, WV (HNN) -- When Wildfire Publicity in Smyrna, TN asked me if I wanted Ann-Marita’s sophomore CD, “Intuition” to review, I told them to send it on.
  
  I’m listening to this Norwegian-born powerhouse blonde singer/song writer as I write this review and I’m convinced Ann-Marita’s better than all of the Dixie Chicks combined!
  
  She’s already as good as Martina McBride and has the potential to be one of the immortals like Emmy Lou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, Ashland, KY's Loretta Lynn, WV’s own Kathy Mattea.…even Patsy Cline, my all-time favorite country singer, a woman who broke through the stereotypes of the genre.
  
  Ann-Marita has that kind of potential. I’m going to seek out her 2004 debut album, “Ann-Marita.”
  
  The following biography is from Ann-Marita’s web site and is no exaggeration…she’s outstanding. If you love country music, you’ll like … make that…love! Ann-Marita. If you turn up your nose at the thought of listening to a twangy girl singer, take a chance on “Intuition”: You’ll love it. She’s a girl singer, but not so much twangy!
  
  The part in the material below about her experiences in L.A. reminds me of a 1983 song called 'California Promises' by the late great Steve Goodman. (I have everything I could get my hands on by the guy who wrote 'Good Morning, America' (Riding on the City of New Orleans).
  
  Ann-Marita's 'Intuition,' from Viking Girl Productions, should be available in well-stocked record stores and can be obtained through www.cdbaby.com., a wonderful site for indy albums. Her 2004 debut album is available at www.amazon.com.
  

• "Intuition" - Country Music Capital News review [+ Show ]
  

  The Norwegian born blonde beauty Ann-Marita is back with her second CD, a follow-up to her self-titl...The Norwegian born blonde beauty Ann-Marita is back with her second CD, a follow-up to her self-titled 2004 debut. Instantly I am taken back as that warm honey voice and the bright guitar by husband (and producer) Brett Garsed weave the magic again. Definitely on a par with the classy high-price efforts that come out of Nashville, the production is near perfect. From Ann-Marita's lips comes a voice that is not just a voice - it is a musical instrument. Ann-Marita has written some excellent tracks; A Woman's Intuition, Under the Iowa Sky, State Line, Gettin' On That Bus, Mrs. You. Every song is deliciously listenable and wraps you up in the sentiment, perfectly blended between vocals and backing. Three Magic Words is my personal favourite - I had to hit replay several times - a feisty rocky country blues finger snapping toe tapper. Australia should be very glad Ann-Marita chose the Land Down Under to call home.
  
  Deborah Minter, Country Music Capital News, June 2007.

• "Intuition" - OnlineRock.com review [+ Show ]
  

  Ann-Marita has come hacking through the jungles of the music industry with the machete of her songs,...Ann-Marita has come hacking through the jungles of the music industry with the machete of her songs, and with a strong voice and sturdy melodies, she’s not backing down. Intuition is a confident stride onto the country/rock scene, with songs of love and strength paving the way. “Under the Iowa Sky” has a fresh Tom Petty jangle to its guitar and frank, hard-luck lyrics in which the singer refers to herself as a “pop star wannabe,” but if this album is any indication of what’s to come, she won’t have to want for long. “Three Magic Words” is a rompin’ honky tonk rocker, while “Two-Faced” stakes Ann-Marita’s claim as the next queen of country. The most moving song on the album, “Company Town,” starts off with a haunting protest-folk harmony and leads into a country ballad about a dismal miner town given one short moment of joy from a traveling band. The song has a warm swing to it, vaguely reminiscent of “Hotel California” in tempo, tune and spirit. Ann-Marita’s Intuition serves her well, and helps her find her way, through her songs, into your heart.
  
  Favorite: Track 5 “Company Town”
  
  Steve Gunn - OnlineRock.com

• New Faces Of Country (Part 2) [+ Show ]
  

  Ann-Marita When Australian-based Ann-Marita sings about heartbreak, depression and loss – t...Ann-Marita
  
  
  
  When Australian-based Ann-Marita sings about heartbreak, depression and loss – trust her. She knows what she’s singing about. The striking, long-haired Norwegian, if ever short for musical inspirations, need look no further than her own career.
  
  It was several years ago, her bio reveals, that she "landed" a two-album recording deal in the aptly named City of Angels, Los Angeles. Keen to make the project work, the talented singer and songwriter committed hours, weeks and months to recording duty. Sadly, a promised commitment from her "producers" never happened. After a year, in keeping with all good tragedies, they left, and quickly. Ann-Marita had nothing for her concentrated effort, but partly recorded master tapes.
  
  Jump forward to last year. Armed with those masters and helped along with notable Oz musicians, Ann-Marita completed the album. The result is a nine-track self-titled debut of original material.
  
  With determination and an appealing midrange vocal, Ann-Maria has forgotten the bumpy ride associated with this album and turned in a promising effort. The album comes nicely weighted with a cross mix of easy-on-the ear-tunes, reflective songs and the mandatory hit out rockers.
  
  Last things first. "Class Of ’93" is a fired tale of remembrances, while "Alive And Kickin’" lives up to expectations with some edgy harmonica from serving John Farnham band member, Steve Williams. Other Farnham band members, including Brett Garsed (who double deals as co-producer), Stuart Fraser and Chong Lim form the nucleus for the sessions.
  
  "The Ex-Boyfriend Song" has the band firing, while Ann-Marita soars with lyrics sung for men with women in mind. "(No Slowing) The Hands of Time" is a showcase tune. Riding an easy groove, the band performs neatly as Ann-Marita hits the needed notes, and, in doing so, produces a vocally interesting performance.
  
  Country music is a hard road to hoe. No doubt. So it’s pleasing to see, after early setbacks, Ann-Marita has settled into stride quickly, embarking on self-promotion that’s paying dividends with what the "producers" couldn’t – recognition. Already, for this lady with the one name, radio play is happening in Australia, Norway, Sweden, Spain, and pockets within the U.S. It’s a case of a happy ending to a great beginning.
  
  

• "Ann-Marita" - Country Update Magazine review [+ Show ]
  

  Country Update Issue 34 She has an unusual name but a very familiar sound to her music on a debu...Country Update Issue 34
  
  She has an unusual name but a very familiar sound to her music on a debut album that shows plenty of class.
  
  Australian Ann-Marita breathes new life into modern contemporary country without falling into a "formula" which tends to dog many artists in what is a very congested market.
  
  There are nine tracks on her debut album, all written by the woman herself and brought together with some very tight musos and Ann-Marita's very strong vocals.
  
  There's some nice variation in the playlist with some warm and inviting uptempo numbers such as the opening "Class of '93", the more country rock feel of "Alive and Kickin'", the equally upbeat "The Ex-boyfriend Song" (with its message to her female audience) and the great bluesy feel to "Sounds Good to Me".
  
  As is the case with many modern country albums, there's always the opportunity for a few slower tracks and with Ann-Marita, she shows she is at home with ballads of a slower tempo like the gentle "Face In The Crowd", the mellow "(No Slowing) The Hands Of Time", "More Than Meets The Eye" and the emotive "You Said Forever".
  
  This is a very worthy introduction to an artist who obviously knows where she wants to go and has plenty of confidence in her ability to get there.
  
  Copyright © 2004 Country Update magazine
  

• "Ann-Marita" - Country Music Capital News review [+ Show ]
  

  Country Music Capital News Issue 01 2005 Australia has been invaded by Norway! And I surrender! ...Country Music Capital News Issue 01 2005
  
  Australia has been invaded by Norway! And I surrender! Ann-Marita Garsed has travelled a torturous route to reach our shores, both geographically and personally, but along the way she found love, inspiration and a new home.
  
  With a voice rich with honeyed tones and intense emotion, she also is a quality song crafter, and this, her debut album, is full of attention grabbing tracks. Opening track, Class Of '93 sets the pace, followed by another eight exceptional tracks. Alive And Kicking really makes you sit up and blink; a fantastic country rocker. My goodness, this girl has something special. The Ex-Boyfriend Song is another fast paced statement of girl power; "useful as a fly in the ointment" - a great lyric. That Girl and You Said Forever are softer offerings, More Than Meets The Eye is a personal declaration. If you're looking for fresh, driving, affirmative country rock, look no further.
  
  Deborah Minter.
  
  Copyright © 2005 Country Music Capital News. All rights reserved
  

• "Ann-Marita" - Star Newspapers/ Popstops review [+ Show ]
  

  I've been listening a lot this week to a CD by an affecting singer-songwriter named Ann-Marita. Orig...I've been listening a lot this week to a CD by an affecting singer-songwriter named Ann-Marita. Originally from Norway, the singer lived a stint in the United States, got burned in Los Angeles on a false album deal and finally settled in Australia, where this nine-song, self-titled disc finally got made.
  
  From the melancholy story of the downfalls of friends from the "Class of '93" to the upbeat life celebration of "Alive and Kickin'" to the gorgeous self-affirmation of "More Than Meets the Eye," Ann-Marita has penned a strong debut of countrified pop that is a joy to listen to.
  
  The perfect execution of the evocative "More Than Meets the Eye" alone should score her a major label record deal. She covers a breadth of styles on this short debut; the easy waltz rhythms and delicate piano of "You Said Forever" is reminiscent of classic '50s country, while the pounding call-to-arms of "The Ex-Boyfriend Song" works in a modern Shania Twain twang rock style.
  
  This is a Down Under gem that you won't find in your local Best Buy — so check out her Web site for information: www.annmarita.com...
  
  
  
  

Setlist

1. A Woman's Intuition
2. Company Town
4. Under the Iowa Sky
5. Face In The Crowd
6. Killing the Blues
7. California Sun
8. Midnight Train to Georgia
9. Mrs. You
10. Alive and Kickin'
11. Three Magic Words


Other cover songs often added to set list: "The Road Is My Middle Name" (Bonnie Raitt), "Son of a Preacher Man" (Dusty Springfield), "Two More Bottles of Wine" (Emmylou Harris), "Heartache Tonight" (The Eagles). Each set is normally around 45 minutes long, and Ann-Marita often plays two or three sets if the opportunity requires it.

Basic Requirements

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