Nita Strauss to release debut solo album

The rocker, who is an ancestor of esteemed Austrian composer Johann Strauss II, premiered a debut solo song called ‘Pandemonium’ in January and now plans to release her inaugural long-player.

Nita launched her Kickstarter campaign to fund the recording and promotion of the album last week and obliterated her $20,000 target in just two hours.

Fans can pledge anything from $1 (around 71p) for a thank you email from Nita to $2,000 (around £1,416) for Nita to perform a guest solo on your record.

Other available pledges include a signed CD album for £21, a Skype call with Nita (including a signed CD album and digital download) for £106 and a video greeting for £212 that also features a signed CD album and digital download.

Writing on her Kickstarter page, Nita said: “I've spent most of my career playing other people's songs. Now I want to show the world what I'm all about.”

She adds: “Pandemonium did something pretty powerful for me mentally- it proved to me that not only could I do what the instrumental guitar players that are my heroes do, but I could actually make something I'm extremely proud of in the genre. And after realizing that... now I want more.

“As an unproven guitar player with exactly zero albums of my own under my belt, I want to do this first record myself. I want to make the album I want to make, and not have to get final approval from anyone else.

“The funds raised from this campaign will help me record, mix, master and promote this album- most importantly, enabling me to tour to support it! Touring budget is a huge part of a record deal, and since playing live is what I do best, I want to be sure I can get out there on the road and play these songs for you guys.”

Back in January, Nita was named as the first ever female Ibanez signature guitarist with her Ibanez JIVA guitar.

Thrilled to be rubbing shoulders with fellow Ibanez Signature artists like Joe Satriani, Paul Stanley and her musical hero Steve Vai, Nita said: “After years of dreaming, hoping and working, followed by months of planning and preparation I am honoured and proud to introduce my signature guitar, the Ibanez JIVA.

“This beauty will be sold worldwide and comes equipped exactly how I play it live, including brand new signature DiMarzio pickups meticulously designed by yours truly.”

> IT’S REAL!!!!!!!! ✨? You are officially. Looking at. The first ever female Ibanez signature artist. After years of dreaming, hoping and working, followed by months of planning and preparation... I am honored and proud to introduce my signature guitar, the Ibanez JIVA. ? This beauty will be sold worldwide and comes equipped exactly how I play it live, including brand new signature DiMarzio pickups meticulously designed by yours truly. ? When I had my first meeting with Ibanez in September of 2008, they asked me why they should add me to the artist roster. My (typically emotional) answer was... “All my heroes are Ibanez players ? It’s a dream come true for me to just come and meet you guys. If you don’t want to give me an endorsement, I’ll still play my Ibanez guitars proudly, but it would be a huge honor to join the family and represent the company officially.” They took a chance on a basically unknown girl from LA (I was actually the only girl on the USA roster at that time) and coming up on my 10th amazing year as an Ibanez artist, words cannot express how honored and thrilled I am to now join the ranks of my greatest heroes as a signature artist. ? I am so grateful to Mike Orrigo, Shogo Wada, Moti Kishiuchi, Tyler Busque and all at Ibanez Guitars, to Rob Nishida and Mike Taft for your support at the beginning and especially to Josh for making this dream a reality!! ? For the guitar players- specs are coming in the next post ? Photo: @robertdownsphotography > > A post shared by Nita Strauss (@hurricanenita) on Jan 25, 2018 at 12:58pm PST