The stage is set for yet another musical party in Hver gang vi mønder when the golden-throated singer Ingebjørg Bratland (32) will receive tributes from the other artists.
When the festivities begin, the folk musician from Vinje in Telemark is honest that she is not particularly excited about opening up about her life in front of the camera, but that she will make an attempt this time.
– This is what I dreaded the most. I’m not too happy to talk about all parts of my life, admits the 32-year-old in the third episode of the programme.
MAIN GUEST: Artist Ingebjørg Bratland is praised by his artist colleagues in Hver gang vi møtses’ third programme. From left: Isah, Karoline Krüger, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Ingebjørg Bratland, Freddy Kalas, Emma Steinbakken and Kristian Kristensen. Photo: Vegard Breie / TV 2
– Self-critical
Around the table at Kjerringøy Bryggehotell, the singer gradually tells about the strong self-criticism that has followed her throughout her life.
Bratland almost got folk music in with its mother’s milk. As a five-year-old, she learned to quill from Ellen Nordstoga, the mother of the well-known Odd, while she was in kindergarten. Telemarkingen quickly proved to be a great talent with her rolling voice, and at a young age she went to the top several times in the Norwegian folk music and dance championship.
TALENTED: Ingebjørg Bratland learned to quill from Odd Nordstoga’s mother, Ellen, when she was only five years old. Photo: Ditlev Eidsmo / TV 2
Watch Bratland share candidly about self-criticism in the video at the top of the story.
Since then, the arrows only pointed upwards for the songbird, and the list of merits got longer and longer with, among other things, Spellemannspris, Wenche Foss’ Award of Honor and hits such as “Fordi eg elskar deg” and “Ingen som du”.
Despite the success, Bratland has always felt that the work she has done has not been good enough. From the age of 14 to 20, she tried to make more records, but ended up scrapping them all.
Not an eye is dry after Ingebjørg’s moving “Evig hvil”
The ugly back has hung on the artist like a heavy sack.
In Every time we meet, she recalls when Espen Lind said to her: “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that you’re happy with something or that it’s good”.
– I have been self-critical all along. It has been very troublesome. I remember when I was little, and I was around and had performances, then I forced my mother to give me a grade on a scale of 1 to 10. And it was often that she didn’t want to. I broke down before I was going to sing, because I was terrified. I was never satisfied, so it was terribly tiring, she shares.
As a 16-year-old, Bratland sang “Den fyrste song” to a touched King Harald on his 70th birthday, but it was anything but a satisfied teenager who returned home after the honorable mission.
– It ended up on the news. It looked like the king was moved, but when I drove home, I remember crying and being so unhappy.
SELF-CRITICAL: Artist Ingebjørg Bratland opens up in Hver gard vi mørde that she is rarely satisfied with her own achievements and the music she creates. Photo: TV 2
– Knock together
It all came to an end when the 32-year-old was to warm up for Sissel Kyrkjebø at the adventure hotel Dalen Hotel in Telemark.
– They had stained, and the railing was freshly painted. I was wearing white trousers and came across. And I started to cry, and it wasn’t because of the pants. It was because I was so terrified, she explains, and continues:
TIRING: The pain on her back has been tiring for Ingebjørg Bratland. Photo: Ditlev Eidsmo / TV 2
– And I remember she (Kyrkjebø, journ.anm.) thought I was crying because I got paint on my trousers.
Soon the singer was lying on the toilet floor for hours, before she got up and out on stage.
– I completely broke down. I remember going out on stage. Oddly enough, I managed to quit just as I was about to leave. It was completely black. I don’t remember anything. I finished my 20 minutes alone on the guitar, spewed and then I drove home completely done.
Bjørn’s “Jovial” interpretation causes Freddy Kalas to burst into tears
By that time, the wine woman’s mother had had enough, and offered some well-intentioned advice.
– Mother said: “Either you have to stop this. Don’t sing, or you have to do something,” she recounts.
Got help
Bratland chose to come to grips with himself, and consulted a psychologist to deal with the self-destructive thoughts.
– I actually decided that I had a little desire to continue singing, but I completely agreed – I couldn’t have it like that.
TOOK ACTION: Ingebjørg Bratland took action and began seeing a psychologist to change her mindset. Photo: Ditlev Eidsmo / TV 2
Through the treatment, the 32-year-old received tools to work with the mental both before and after a performance.
When artist colleague Bjørn Eidsvåg (68) then asks around the table if she is feeling better today, the answer is the following:
– Now it’s better.
Watch Every time we meet on Saturdays at 20:00 on TV 2 Direkte, and whenever you want TV 2 Play.
