Marie Ulven Ringheim, known as Girl in Red, recently joined Hattie Collins on PROUD Radio to discuss her new album I’m Doing It Again, Baby!. During the conversation, Ulven shared insights into the album’s creation, her collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter, and her experience opening for Taylor Swift on The Eras Tour.
Creating the Album
Ulven started working on her new album after taking a break from the studio for over a year. She had been living life, enjoying her new apartment, and spending time with friends and her new girlfriend. However, by 2022, she began to worry about not having new material and faced significant writer’s block. Despite the challenges, she eventually overcame it and feels better and more productive now.
Collaborating with Sabrina Carpenter
The idea for collaborating with Sabrina Carpenter came to Ulven during a flight where she listened to Carpenter’s song “Nonsense” on repeat. After sharing her admiration on Instagram, Carpenter reached out, leading to their collaboration on the track “You Need Me Now?”. Ulven praised Carpenter’s professionalism and enthusiasm, noting how Carpenter quickly recorded her part and perfectly complemented the song.
Touring with Taylor Swift
Opening for Taylor Swift on The Eras Tour was a significant experience for Ulven. Although she already had most of her album’s music by then, the tour inspired her artistically. Ulven admires Swift’s artistry and prolific output, which influenced her approach to making music. The tour itself was an intimidating but rewarding experience, helping Ulven grow as a performer.
Impact of Different Cities
Ulven recorded parts of her album in various cities, including New York, Paris, and her home city, Bergen in Norway. Each location contributed to the album’s development in different ways. New York’s Electric Lady Studios provided a unique and inspiring atmosphere, while her time in Paris, despite being initially unproductive, ultimately helped her figure out the direction for a song. Bergen, however, played the most significant role, being where she spent the most time working on the album.
Reflections on Self-Esteem
Discussing her self-esteem, Ulven mentioned how she has felt more humbled as she aged, contrasting with the carefree confidence of her youth. This realization influenced her songwriting, pushing her to recapture that youthful boldness to create unapologetically big and boastful songs.
Rise of Country Music
Ulven also touched on the rise of country music among mainstream artists like Lana Del Rey, Beyoncé, and Post Malone. She finds it interesting how similar ideas can emerge simultaneously among different artists, influenced by their shared experiences and cultural moments.
Overall, Girl in Red’s new album I’m Doing It Again, Baby! reflects her journey through creative challenges, impactful collaborations, and the inspiration drawn from her experiences and surroundings.
Sources:
- U.S. Weekly: How Girl in Red Manifested Her Collaboration With Sabrina Carpenter on ‘You Need Me Now?’ (Exclusive)
- Music-News:Girl In Red: ‘I think Taylor [Swift] has impacted the album because she has impacted me’
- Pictures can be found on Instagram @girlinred
