We had the good fortune of connecting with Aiida and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aiida, how do you think about risk?
I think pursing a career in music is an obvious risk, if you compare it to a corporate office job. It’s definitely less predictable, but I think me having a corporate job would have been “riskier” for my mental health. I’ve never done anything but music, and I’ve always been passionate and active in music since I was a kid, so the unpredictability or “risk” isn’t something I take into account too much.

I will say, moving my whole life to USA from teeny tiny, super safe, well functioning Norway was a risk! And though scary sometimes, the payoff creatively has been beyond measure. I’ve written some of my favorite songs, played some of my favorite shows (Lollapalooza, Washashore, We Found New Music) and grown so much as a musician.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I grew up singing and performing since I was a little kid. It ranged from school recitals and local events to Tv shows on national TV like “Barnas Superjul” , and specials like “Decembertoner”. I had a lot of voice training while performing, and also wiggled my way into studios like Urban Sound Studios to write songs with artists like norwegian -grammy-nominated Ehi. Early teenage me definitely had some guts! But I just knew songwriting had to be as much part of my artistry as singing and performing, and I knew I had to work hard to get good at it!

in 2018 I was fortunate enough to be granted a scholarship to Berklee College of Music. Though I initially came in for performance, I ended up with a Bachelor in Songwriting, after amazing boothcamps with writers like Pat Pattison, Kara Dioguardi and Bonnie Hayes. So my vocals performance, high energy live performances and songwriting are the three key things to my artist project.

My project is all about finding strength in being different and not being afraid of taking up space. As a queer person, woman and growing up with different cultures, I often felt like I had to diminish myself, or make myself more palatable for the people around me. And I really really struggled with that. My artist project is all about countering that. I want to take up space, and be big and bold, so that other people who feel different can find strength in being themselves. Rhinestones, catchy hooks and clever lyrics definitely help with that!

I feel like the second I started accepting myself, the music became so much better too. I’ve been fortunate enough to land on spotify editorial lists like New Music Friday Norway, New Music Friday Sweden, Fresh finds etc, as well as radio placements on NRK P1, Nrk P3, and NRK MP3 with songs like “Talk About What” and “Don’t Wanna Talk About It”. Talk About What was even the 9th most played song on Norwegian radio in 2021. It really means the world and is incredibly gratifying.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ok so! My favorite food places right now is Portos in Noho and Yuko Kitchen, but my all-time favorite food thing in LA are all the Taco trucks. Super affordable, soooo good, and always a hang! For a fun night out, I’d say Weho is the spot! Drag brunch at Hamburger Marys is absolutely unbeatable.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I really want to shout out to the amazing people I’m lucky to work with. Especially my cowriters. songwriters definitely don’t get enough credit or pay! Sophie Truax is an incredible writer I work with on a lot of my own stuff, as well as Lily Hormel. I also wanna shout out James Mckernan(James October), an incredible producer, writer and artist who’s been there from the beginning of the projects, and gives me so much trust in my vision and ideas. He is a gem!

Website: https://www.aiidamusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiida_ii/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aiidamusiic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCamqkeIsBhxKjGgMMQfWgbg

Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aiida_ii_

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