Perhaps you marked her for future greatness when she represented Finland at the 2014 European Blues Challenge, or during her early guest spots with Guy Verlinde and Helge Tallqvist. Now, as this next-big-thing releases her self-titled debut album – and rocks the house on the famous Ruf Records Blues Caravan 2016 – it’s time for a proper introduction.
Released on Ruf Records, Ina Forsman is everything that great music used to be: real, raw, written from the heart and shot from the hip. Likewise, Ina herself is everything that great frontwomen are meant to be: enigmatic, honest, passionate and dangerous. By the time you’ve heard these ten self-penned songs – plus a stellar cover of Nina Simone’s “I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl “– you’ll know her inside-out, and want to know more. Read on.
Play Ina Forsman and the first thing that hits you is the voice. That astonishing delivery is a major weapon in Ina’s arsenal, and the icing on the big-band brass and soul-blues piano of these breakup and redemption songs. Growing up in Helsinki, Finland, she always hoped it would take her places. “I was six years old when I first said out loud that I wanted to be a singer. My influences go back to the time my aunt gave me my first Christina Aguilera album when I was seven. For me, a great singer is someone who has power in their voice and isn’t afraid to use it, in all of its colours and shades.”
Yet Ina’s debut album goes far deeper than a God-given voicebox. These eleven songs speak of an artist who lives and breathes the blues, having gigged from the age of seventeen and received guidance in the genre from Finnish harmonica legend Helge Tallqvist. “Helge was the first person who introduced blues to me,” she remembers. “He took me to the studio and put our band together a couple of years ago. There aren’t enough words to describe how much I learnt from him. So much about music, but also about organising gigs, doing the boring paperwork, and life in general.”
Perhaps the most crucial lesson that Ina took from her mentor was that music has to be a personal expression. As such, while her early setlists relied on covers, for her debut album, she penned all the lyrics, while co-writing the music with principal collaborator Tomi Leino. “For me,” stresses Ina, “it’s very important to sound original. There is no other way for me than to write the songs on my own. I have a story and no one else can tell it quite like I do.
“All the songs are about love and its ups and downs,” she adds. “They have a story behind them and are very personal to me, though some are more serious and deeper than others. For example, the song “Pretty Messed Up” is a last love-letter to my ex-boyfriend, and “Bubbly Kisses” is about drunk sex.”
As for the musical direction, there were no limits. “When I started to look for inspiration for this album, I searched for new music everywhere. I went to record stores, on YouTube, Spotify, just every possible place where I could find something I haven’t heard before. Mostly, I listened old soul and blues records – artists like Donny Hathaway, Aretha Franklin and Sam Cooke – so this idea of a blues album turned into a soul/blues album. Mostly, it just came out that way, without much planning or trying to get a specific vibe.”
When it came to the album sessions, Ina also looked towards America, tracking at Wire Recording in Austin, Texas, where her band included Laura Chavez and Derek O’Brien (guitars), Nick Connolly (keys/organ), Russell Jackson (bass) and Tommy Taylor (drums) – plus guest harp from Helge Tallqvist and brass from The Texas Horns, led by producer/saxophonist Mark ‘Kaz’ Kazanoff. “I was so happy the whole time,” she remembers. “The week that I spent in Austin is gonna be my favourite memory for a long time. I got to work with amazing, talented people in a beautiful city on the other side of the planet from where I live. A while back, I didn’t dare to even dream about something like that. We worked so hard, and after every day I was more tired – but also more excited to go back to the studio.”
You can hear the joy in the results. At a time when most blues albums are dominated by chugging guitar, Ina’s debut truly swings, evoking a brassy soul-blues session from a bygone era, but imbued with the singer’s modern attitude. “All my favourite songs always had piano or brass on them,” she says of the varied instrumentation. “Piano and saxophone are my favourite instruments, so it was obvious from the start.”
With a classic debut album in her back pocket and major international touring plans afoot, many are tipping Ina Forsman as the breakthrough artist of 2016. As for the singer herself, she prefers to ignore the predictions, live in the moment and let her creativity take the lead. “Sometimes,” she considers, “it’s good to just let the music take you there. My next album might be totally different – and it probably will be. That’s what makes songwriting so exciting, because you never know where your next inspiration will come from…”
Website: Ina Forsman
Get Mine
Ina Forsman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Im so glad to be back at it again
Never thought Id get this sentimental but I must I have to
Been holding these emotions beating heart inside a statue
Youve seen nothing yet Im a rose about to bloom
Let me take you for a walk down the avenue of chapter two
Chapter two, Im here to blow your mind with my rhythm and my blues
Something old with something new
CHORUS
Im here to get mine MINE
I hope you dont mind MIND
Im having a good time TIME
Im here to get mine mine mine mine mine
2x
I ́ve been working hard, been on the road been off the road
They still like to talk but they dont know
All of you who dont believe Im here to tell you
That this beat is sick like ah ah ah CHUU
Now bless me
Im what they call good kinda cocky
That means Im the best but I dont say it
I let you do your thing and let you say it instead
Like oh my god youre so amazing
Who thought this chick would be so blazin
But I stay humble no matter what youre saying
Sometimes its good to be crazy
CHORUS 2X
I might never make it big Im aware I know
But one thing is for certain I got so much more soul
Than anyone on the radio or the music videos
Where every song has the same structure flow and tempo
Im so sick and tired of this bullshit
Beautiful song has no value if its not a hit
Here I come with a brand new tactic
Throwback Thursday lets play some real music
CHORUS 1X
Oh I came to get mine
I hope you dont mind
Im having a good time
I came to get mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine 2x
I came to get, wont you give me, wont you give me whats mine
Im here to get mine
Ina Forsman's song "Get Mine" is an uplifting anthem that encourages listeners to embrace their unique creativity and follow their own path to success. The song begins with a heartfelt message about the singer's personal journey, as she reflects on the emotional journey she's taken to get to where she is today. The powerful opening lines describe the singer's emotional state, as she has "been holding these emotions beating heart inside a statue," and expresses her enthusiasm for the future by stating "you've seen nothing yet, I'm a rose about to bloom."
In the chorus, Forsman proclaims that she is "here to get mine," and encourages others to embrace their own creativity and uniqueness. She confidently asserts that she is "good kind of cocky," and doesn't need to rely on the validation of others to know that she is "amazing." Instead, she encourages listeners to pursue their own dreams and passions, even if others may not believe in their abilities.
Overall, "Get Mine" is an inspiring and uplifting song that encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and pursue their passions with confidence and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and gentleman
Addressing the audience in a formal and respectful way
Im so glad to be back at it again
Expressing happiness to continue performing
Never thought Id get this sentimental but I must I have to
Admitting to having emotions and wanting to express them
Been holding these emotions beating heart inside a statue
Suppressing emotions and keeping them hidden like a statue
Youve seen nothing yet Im a rose about to bloom
Promising that greater things are yet to come
Let me take you for a walk down the avenue of chapter two
Inviting the audience to follow and listen to the next chapter in her music career
Chapter two, Im here to blow your mind with my rhythm and my blues
Asserting her confidence in her musical ability to impress and captivate the audience
Something old with something new
Combining traditional and modern elements in her music
Cos nothing legendary ever comes from following the rules
Stating that innovative and exceptional creations cannot be achieved by conforming to traditional norms
Im here to get mine MINE
Stating her purpose to pursue and achieve her personal success
I hope you dont mind MIND
Asking the audience to respect her personal aspirations
Im having a good time TIME
Expressing happiness and enjoyment in pursuing her dreams
I ́ve been working hard, been on the road been off the road
Describing her experiences of constantly traveling and performing
They still like to talk but they dont know
Suggesting that people may judge her without knowing her true story
All of you who dont believe Im here to tell you
Addressing non-believers and explaining her determination
That this beat is sick like ah ah ah CHUU
Expressing excitement and confidence in her current music
Now bless me
Asking for support and recognition
Im what they call good kinda cocky
Acknowledging her positive traits with a hint of humor
That means Im the best but I dont say it
Implying that her actions speak louder than words
I let you do your thing and let you say it instead
Giving others a chance to recognize her talent rather than boasting herself
Like oh my god youre so amazing
Quoting compliments she may receive from others
Who thought this chick would be so blazin
Referencing disbelief from others regarding her success
But I stay humble no matter what youre saying
Admitting to remaining modest regardless of compliments or criticism
Sometimes its good to be crazy
Suggesting that being unconventional can lead to great things
I might never make it big Im aware I know
Recognizing the possibility of not achieving mainstream success
But one thing is for certain I got so much more soul
Emphasizing the importance of musical authenticity and soulfulness
Than anyone on the radio or the music videos
Comparing her music to mainstream music that lacks authenticity
Where every song has the same structure flow and tempo
Critiquing the lack of diversity and creativity in mainstream music
Im so sick and tired of this bullshit
Expressing frustration and discontent with current music trends
Beautiful song has no value if its not a hit
Asserting the importance of artistic value rather than commercial success
Here I come with a brand new tactic
Announcing her approach to creating unique and valuable music
Throwback Thursday lets play some real music
Suggesting the importance of traditional and classic music in today's industry
I came to get, wont you give me, wont you give me whats mine
Demanding recognition and success in her pursuit of music
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Samuli Rautiainen, Ina Forsman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind