home

idha's entry in the virgin encyclopedia of indie and new wave, colin larkin, 1998:

b. idha övelius, 22 may 1972, södertälje, sweden. the wife of ex-ride guitarist andy bell, idha has released two accomplished albums characterized by their melodic but downbeat air. eager to leave sweden to establish a musical career, she moved to london and signed to leading independent label creation. recordings with a group of musicians including ian mclagan of the faces, ostensibly to lay down a single, led to the release of her 1993 debut, melody inn. a mixture of originals and cover versions, the album's country-styled sound was captured in a lush version of gram parsons' "hickory wind", while the lyrics dealt with her personal experience of beginning a new life in a new country. the pointedly titled a woman in a man's world ep followed, featuring evan dando of the lemonheads, before work began on a second album. recorded during a troubled period in the singer's personal life, troublemaker took shape over two years of sessions with musicians including bell (now with hurricane #1), tony barber (buzzcocks) and alan white (later-oasis). finally released in 1997, idha's distinctive songwriting rose above the musical talent on offer, with the melancholy air of "sorry sorry" and "just moved in" providing the key to the mood of the album, although a more abrasive tone was readily apparent on "still alive".