“Got to be” is Christian’s first solo album in 10 years. Besides being a busy touring artist, he’s spent the last ten years mostly writing and producing for others. In the process, however, occasionally he’d stumble across a song that he liked so much, he decided to keep it for himself. This is a collection of such songs.
It contains everything from ideas he started working on back in the very beginning of his career, songwriting camps and sessions across the world, through his music today. In some ways it’s like a best of the unreleased songs. “This is a collection of the songs I wasn’t able to give away or forget, and that have been on the tip of my heart for far too long. I haven’t tried to create an album that’s in keeping with the trends of today. I have simply collected the songs that I’ve written that have moved me the most over the last few years. My hope is that it can bring joy to others, too” – says Christian about the release.
The musicians he’s brought on board for the album are some of the world’s finest, from Ash Soan to the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and band mate Mark Read. It’s produced by Christian himself and mixed by Bjørn Erik Pedersen in Whiteroom, with the exception of the song “Perfect day”, which is produced by his school friend from LIPA, Mads Hauge, who’s had great success as a producer and songwriter for artists like Pixie Lott, Lana Del Rey and Natasha Bedingfield.
Christian Ingebrigtsen studied music at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, and debuted as a recording artist as member of the British-Norwegian pop group a1 in 1999. In just five years they managed to reach the number one spot and have eight top ten singles in the UK singles charts. With songs like “Caught in the middle”, “Same old brand new you”, “Everytime” and a cover of Aha’s “Take on me”, they topped the charts all across the world, selling more than 10 million albums, winning both MTV awards and a Brit Award. They are, according the to Guinness book of hit singles, among the 500 most successful artists in British chart history.
In 2003 Christian released his first solo album, which certified platinum in Norway. The single “Things are gonna change” topped the singles chart. As did the single “In love with an angel”, which he wrote and sang with Norwegian pop sweetheart Maria Arredondo. His Christmas album “Paint Christmas White” also certified gold, and laid the foundation for the many extensive Christmas tours he’s held each year since. In 2016 he toured 47 churches in Norway with his “Julenatt” tour. The latest album Christian released was “The truth about lies”. which came out in 2007. The single “Adorable” went in at number one in Norway, and became a radio hit.
During the preparations for his next solo project, he was offered one of the lead roles in the Norwegian west end production of Les Misérables, and did 98 shows as Marius in 2009. This led to Christian being offered more roles as an actor. He performs voice over for several Disney movies in Norwegian, among them Brother Bear and the voice of Flynn Rider in Tangled. The following year, a1 reunited, released two more albums, and toured heavily around Norway, Asia, and as part of the Big Reunion on ITV, did an arena tour of the UK.
Christian is also a keynote speaker, active ambassador for Compassion, and a lecturer in songwriting at the NLA University College. With so many things going on, time doesn’t always add up. That’s the reason why this album Christian began as early as 2007 hasn’t seen the light of day until now. Finally it’s ready to be shared with the world.
Christian Ingebrigtsen’s latest album offering Got To Be includes the hit singles “Someone to live for,” “Still” and the endearing ballad “Break Me,” which is now enjoying massive airplay on the top radio stations in Metro Manila. It’s a break up song that many Pinoy music enthusiasts, especially the romantic types and those who are fond of “hugot’ lyrics love and can easily relate to. Break Me appeals primarily to the sentimental hearts of Christian’s fans in the Philippines. It is indeed a potential hit that is expected to climb up the charts in no time.
“Got To Be” is now available for download on all musical digital platforms released under Incicon Label.