Two Up

With her new album, 02022020, Ida Nielsen reveals a new composing direction

- Mike Brooks, Joel McIver

Tell us about the new album, 02022020. It’s not a typical bass album, but there’s still a lot of bass on it. I compose different kinds of music all the time. I’m touring with my funk band right now, and that stuff is what people have come to expect. Funk is my thing, and I love it, but as we toured, some of my older stuff took different turns and I wanted to record reinvented versions of some of those tracks. I wanted to release something for February 2nd, 2020, because I thought it was such a cool date, but it was also because my next funk album was not gonna be ready. I wanted to do something completely different. There’s no slapping on the album, which is funny, because people are always asking me why I slap so much, ha ha!

How did you record the bass this time?

Straight into the computer, along with all the other instruments except the drums, which we did in the studio. People are gonna be angry with me when they hear which interface I used for the bass, because I used the cheapest one you can get! I bought it back when I was with Prince, because we were traveling so much. I’m not big into tech, I just want it to work. I recorded the vocals with a USB microphone. It’s a great time for affordable gear right now.

Did you use your signature Sandberg for this album?

Yes, because it’s totally versatile. It will do everything I want it to do. It fits me really well.

You’ve had it a few years now. How have you refined it to suit you?