Ingrid Olava

Ingrid Olava Brænd Eriksen, known professionally as Ingrid Olava, is a celebrated Norwegian singer‑songwriter, pianist and actress whose career has spanned over a decade and a half. Born on 18 March 1981 in Lillehammer, Norway, she grew up immersed in the local music scene, teaching herself piano on a neighbour’s basement floor and absorbing early influences such as Trond‑Viggo Torgersen and Billy Joel. By the age of twenty she began performing seriously, with her first public gig at the Utøya youth camp, and quickly moved on to notable stages like the John Dee Live Club & Pub where she opened for Vidar Vang. Her breakthrough came in 2006 when she caught the attention of Sivert Høyem and Frode Jacobsen, leading to a two‑month tour as a supporting artist and later a contract with EMI Music Norway after an impromptu studio session with a grand piano. The debut album Juliet’s Wishes (2008) earned her two Spellemannprisen nominations and introduced the hit single “Only Just Begun”, a song she described as inspired by The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde. She followed this success with a series of festival appearances at Quart, Slottsfjell, Træna and Øyafestivalen, where her rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Take This Waltz” garnered critical praise. Ingrid’s second album The Guest (2010) and third Summer House (2013) further cemented her reputation for blending pop melodies with indie‑folk textures, while her 2014 independent single “Mens jeg sover” demonstrated a willingness to explore self‑release strategies on her own label Daring Viola. In 2016 she issued the EP HEKT, which was expanded into a full‑length album the following year, showcasing a more experimental side with atmospheric production by David Kosten. Ingrid’s collaborations extend beyond her solo work; she has contributed vocals to projects by Madrugada, El Cuero, Lukas Kasha and The White Birch, and even appeared on the Netflix series Lilyhammer where she performed “Back To Love” alongside Steve Van Zandt. Continually evolving, she partnered with pianist Andreas Ulvo for the 2018 release Innlandet, confirming her reputation as a versatile artist who balances intimate songwriting with dynamic live performances and a commitment to charitable causes, exemplified by her 2008 charity single “Her kommer vinteren”, whose proceeds supported the Rainforest Foundation Fund.