Girl in Red Key Details
| Full Name | Marie Ulven Ringheim |
|---|---|
| Age | 24 |
| Birthday | February 16, 1999 |
| Birth Place | Horten, Norway |
| Genres | Indie Pop, Bedroom Pop, Lo-fi |
| Record Label | Polydor Records |
| Social Profiles | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube |
With her stripped down, intimate indie pop songs, Girl in Red has captured the hearts of listeners across the globe. The Norwegian singer-songwriter, whose real name is Marie Ulven Ringheim, has become one of the most exciting new artists to emerge in recent years. Let‘s take a closer look at who Girl in Red is and why her emotionally raw music resonates so deeply.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Marie Ulven Ringheim was born on February 16, 1999 in Horten, Norway. Music was a constant presence in her life from an early age. Her father was a musician, and she grew up listening to artists like The Beatles, Oasis, and Matoma. "I remember dancing around to Oasis as a kid," she told NME.
When she was just 7 years old, Marie began taking piano lessons. By the time she was a teenager, she started writing her own songs. She has cited indie pop artists like La Roux and Lykke Li as early inspirations.
It wasn‘t until around 2015, at the age of 16, that Marie began releasing music under the moniker Girl in Red. The name was inspired by the color of her favorite winter jacket. Early songs like "I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend" and "Summer Depression" spread organically online, resonating with listeners. "I was amazed when people actually started listening," she told NYLON.
Marie recorded them herself in her childhood bedroom using GarageBand and an old iPhone mic. These lo-fi, homemade recordings became integral to her unique musical aesthetic.
Breakout Success
In 2018, Girl in Red released her debut EP, Chapter 1, featuring 5 songs including "I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend." The EP earned her a dedicated fanbase drawn to her deeply confessional lyrics and intimate vocals.
"That EP changed everything. I found my people," she told Billboard.
That year, she embarked on her first North American tour, playing small clubs. Fans connected with her emotional authenticity during live shows.
Her momentum continued to build with the release of more singles over the next couple years like "We Fell in Love in October" and "I‘ll Die Anyway." She signed to indie label Royal Mountain Records.
In 2020, Girl in Red landed a major label deal with Polydor Records, under Universal Music Group. This enabled her to take her music to a wider audience while retaining creative control.
Her popularity exploded in 2020. She racked up over 300 million streams on Spotify alone that year. High profile fans like Finneas, Maggie Rogers and Hayley Williams publicly voiced their love for her music.
Girl in Red announced her highly anticipated debut album, If I Could Make It Go Quiet. Fans eagerly awaited this full-length project after years of cult-favorite EPs and singles.
Debut Album: If I Could Make It Go Quiet
After years of releasing singles and EPs, Girl in Red finally dropped her first full-length album in April 2021. If I Could Make It Go Quiet was met with widespread critical acclaim.
The album expands on the intimate songwriting style of her early work, with songs that tackle themes like mental health, sexuality, and relationships. Standout tracks include "Serotonin," "Body And Mind," and "Did You Come?"
"This album comes from a place of honesty and vulnerability. I‘ve put my deepest pains and emotions into these songs," she explained in an interview.
The album debuted in the top 40 on the charts in multiple countries. It expanded her emotional brand of bedroom pop to a mainstream audience while retaining the elements fans love.
In the wake of the album, Girl in Red embarked on a massive world tour throughout 2021 and 2022. She played festivals like Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits and Bonnaroo as her popularity continued to explode globally.
A Passionate Voice for the LGBTQ Community
Beyond her songwriting prowess, Girl in Red has become a powerful voice for LGBTQ rights. She publicly came out as gay in 2018 and her songs often explore same-sex relationships and queer themes in a way rarely heard in mainstream pop.
Tracks like "Girls" and "I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend" are landmarks for openly queer artists. Girl in Red has said she wants to provide representation for young LGBTQ listeners through her music.
In interviews, she has cited LGBTQ pop icons like Elton John, Freddie Mercury, and Hayley Kiyoko as inspirations.
"Being open about who I am allows me to help others feel less alone," she explained.
Unique Musical Style: Bedroom Pop Meets Punk
Girl in Red stands out for her blend of intimate "bedroom pop" songwriting and DIY punk spirit. Her music pairs confessional lyrics and dreamy melodies with raw, fuzzed out guitar tones.
She records much of her music herself in her bedroom studio, giving it an authentic intimacy. At the same time, you can hear her punk influences in the raw emotion and distorted guitars.
Girl in Red has dubbed her unique style "bedroom punk." It‘s a fitting mix of her lo-fi production, emotional songwriting, and punk attitude.
Her songs also pull from a range of genres, with indie folk, dream pop and dark alt-pop hooks incorporated into the mix. The result is a genre-defying sound that is quintessentially Girl in Red.
What‘s Next for Girl in Red?
Fresh off her massively successful debut album, the future looks bright for Girl in Red. She was named to Forbes‘ 2022 "30 Under 30 Europe" list in the music category, recognizing her as an artist to watch.
She continues to tour worldwide in 2022. Rumors also swirl of a possible sophomore album on the horizon.
If her career trajectory so far is any indication, whatever Girl in Red does next will resonate deeply with both longtime fans and newcomers discovering her brutally honest, intimate punk-pop songs. As a devoted fan, I can‘t wait to see what she creates next!
