An inspirational journey to India and an unforgettable trip to New York proved to be life-altering for Melbourne vocalist Ida [pronounced Ee-da] Brahim. While encountering prejudice against women in India inspired the Melbourne singer to raise awareness through her fierce-yet-feminine lyrics, taking part in open mic nights in New York’s underground clubs served as training ground in developing an enigmatic onstage persona. No stranger to some of Australia’s best-loved festivals (including Rainbow Serpent and Peats Ridge), Brahim’s debut EP launch is set to be a musical and visual feast with guest appearances from some of Melbourne’s biggest names in soul and hip-hop. “The two main supports are Candice Monique and Kojo,” enthuses Brahim. “Heaps of my other friends will also jump on the stage, like Jake Savona who plays keys and who also produced the EP [Holographic Love]. We’ll also have Chap One, Simon Gorman, Tariro, MC 1/6… I wanted to do a show that focused on music but also on other aspects of music, like the visual element and dancing,” she points out. “I‘m also a part of a dance crew called Bam Bam Assassins so we’ll also do a number. I decided to just go all out with everything; this is a special gig for me,” she smiles. “I wanted it to feature all of the things that affect me on a really deep level and which are quite expressive and political.” Although Ida claims Holographic Love is not strictly political, she explains that a lot of it is at least connected to politics in one way or another. It is a result of frustration and a lack of justice, attempting to open people’s eyes to the abuse of human rights inflicted on people around the world. “The problem is so much bigger than we think it is,” laments Ida. “When you become friends with people in other countries who are living with nothing every day, you start to feel for them just like a sister. It’s very frustrating to not be able to do anything to help them, though, and then you just end up going back to your comfortable life in Melbourne but you never forget those people. “A huge part of me wanted to be a voice for them. There was a girl who I became friends with in India. She was 13 and very beautiful and I was surprised how well she spoke English. I found out later that she was actually a prostitute and her brother was her pimp, which I also found out wasn’t uncommon in India… When it was time for me to go back to Melbourne, I felt like I was leaving behind family and friends – I had to do something about it.” Already familiar with performing in front of a live audience, Ida had spent some time in New York where her open and friendly personality led her to meet street artist and freestylers who introduced her to the open mic scene. Upon returning to Australia, Brahim teamed up with Melbourne’s MC Hugo to form a cross-cultural melting pot of art-forms, often providing captivating choruses to his brilliant raps. “New York exposed me to hip-hop and I met heaps of freestyle MCs,” she recalls. “The underground open mic nights in East Village were mind-blowing – when I got on the mic it was the most beautiful experience ever to hear myself project for the first time. Once you plant a seed it starts growing. I met Hugo when he was emceeing at a gig and I was dancing, and at one point everyone was up on the stage and the mic got passed around. I just belted out a bit out of where and enjoyed it so much! When I got off the stage I was buzzing the way you when you’ve just tapped into your inner calling! Since then I did some shows with Hugo until I decided to put some songs on record.” As frightening as her first recording experience was, Brahim decided to put her nerves and fears aside and concentrate wholly on her mission to contribute some positivity to the planet. Working with Jake Savona went a long way in ensuring a comfortable environment and a safe space to express herself completely, says Brahim, but she claims she isn’t rushing to head back into the studio any time soon. “I went through all the emotions – from fear, to intimidation, to inspiration,” she laughs. “Even though I was scared, I was still confident in myself. I had to remind myself that music is my journey and that it’s about transforming my energy into words and lyrics in order to move people and connect with them. “I think I’m going to wait a little bit before I do another album because I’m hoping to work with some indigenous kids out in the desert over the next six months. Music is extremely important to me, but actually helping people inspires me to write in the first place. Ever since my experience with the women in India, I’ve wanted to get involved with the Aboriginal community too.” -Beat Magazine - if you meet iDA, you'll know there is something special about this girl. her warmth and spirit will immediately make you fall in love. i did. i went to iDA's album launch some weeks ago void of expectation. i was transported into a realm of beauty and love. the atmosphere was unlike anything ive felt before...she makes a connection with people on a spiritual level and in this day and age, its rare to do this. the one thing i know for sure about iDA, she embodies what it is to live life. she is a true performer and fluid dancer...you cant take your eyes off her. while the bill is chocka block, i wanted to make sure she was on it in some way..so she will be performing an amazing musical dance piece for us. once you see her, you will know what i mean.. you wont take your eyes off her. - Syreney (RunForYourLife) - awesome debut from a great new singer Sahida. She might be small but boy, can she sing. The girl sounds as sweet as she looks. Did I mention she can dance, too!!! Production on this cd is handled by the Melbourne mafia of goodness, with Simon Gorman at the Helm and other tracks done by Jake Savona, Ivan Choi, Ben last and Voodoo Dred. The beats are fat and fiiiiiiiine, and after the great launch last week, the sky is the limit. Big ups girl! Chris Gill (Triple R Radio)