{"id":9748,"date":"2015-03-28T18:22:27","date_gmt":"2015-03-28T18:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=9748"},"modified":"2015-03-30T10:27:32","modified_gmt":"2015-03-30T10:27:32","slug":"introducing-ninsun-poli","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2015\/03\/introducing-ninsun-poli\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing Ninsun Poli"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Ninsun<\/p>\n

For those new to\u00a0Ninsun Poli, she\u2019s a Swedish\u00a0singer-songwriter, who made her debut at Sweden\u2019s\u00a0Hultsfred Festival in 2004.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ninsun has\u00a0been described as \u201cincredibly impressive\u201d and \u201cThe next Swedish hope for soul music\u201d. \u00a0She\u2019s set to release a new EP in the UK next month: \u201cGreat Leap Forward\u201d is a Scandi-pop record with a difference \u2013 rather than the\u00a0melancholy undertone currently fashionable with Nordic artists, it\u2019s an upbeat song with an empowering and inspiring message.<\/p>\n

We were lucky enough to catch up with this Swedish-Assyrian artist, to find out a bit more about her and her music.<\/p>\n

Thank you for speaking\u00a0to us! Please briefly give us the\u00a0Ninsun Poli\u00a0story, for any of our readers who aren\u2019t familiar with you?<\/b><\/p>\n

I am Assyrian, born and raised in Stockholm Sweden. Music is my passion. I sing and write my own music, and I have been ever since I can remember.<\/p>\n

You’re an Assyrian singer living in Sweden – has this had any influence on your style?<\/b><\/p>\n

Yes it definitely has. Growing up with both Assyrian and different types of music has broadened my musical mind. I’ve always had to juggle with finding a good balance of both being Assyrian and Swedish at the same time and it comes through in my music. That has made me very open minded in both music and in life.<\/p>\n

You started out singing soulful songs a la Amy Winehouse, but now you’re better known for your\u00a0Scandi-Electropop sound – what brought about this change?<\/b><\/p>\n

I never want to put myself in a box where there’s no room for change. I like trying new things and new sounds, that’s what being a musician is to me. I was 18 when I first released my EP “For Real” which has a very soulful sound. It’s been 10 years since then, in these years I have grown and changed and found a way to write electro pop music with a lot of soul in it.<\/p>\n

Who do you cite as your musical influences?<\/b><\/p>\n

Nina Simone, Gossip, to name a few.<\/p>\n

Talk us through “Great Leap Forward”.\u00a0 It seems to a very positive message to it, about moving on regardless of circumstances – what does it mean to you, and how did you come to write it?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

I wrote this song together with Peter\u00a0<\/span>\u00c5gren<\/span>\u00a0and Peter\u00a0<\/span>Moren<\/span>. We sat down and talked about life, the good, the bad and\u00a0<\/span>thats<\/span>\u00a0how it started. It’s<\/span>\u00a0about not being afraid of the unknown.\u00a0<\/span>Its<\/span>\u00a0about seeing the good in people.\u00a0<\/span>Its<\/span>\u00a0about equality. It’s about keeping an open mind and not living in the past, but living in the now and<\/span>\u00a0daring that great leap forward into the future. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tell us about your collaboration with\u00a0<\/span>Familjen<\/span>\u00a0– how did that come about?<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

We knew each other before\u00a0<\/span>Familjen<\/span>, Johan\u00a0<\/span>T.Karlsson<\/span>\u00a0produced my EP 10 years ago\u00a0and had worked together with other projects before that. He asked me if I wanted to sing on a couple of his songs and\u00a0<\/span>thats<\/span>\u00a0how it started. I was so happy to be\u00a0<\/span>apart<\/span>\u00a0of that, as I am a big fan of\u00a0<\/span>Familjen<\/span>!<\/span><\/p>\n

What three songs do you play most often right now, and why?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

I just discovered a new\u00a0<\/span>swedish<\/span>\u00a0band called\u00a0<\/span>Amason<\/span>, they have a song called\u00a0<\/span>Duvan<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>which<\/span>\u00a0is on repeat right now. Future Island – Season…still a\u00a0<\/span>favourite<\/span>! D’ Angelo – Really Love.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Who would be your dream collaboration, either living or dead?<\/b><\/p>\n

Michael<\/span>\u00a0Jackson!<\/span><\/p>\n

And finally, where do you see yourself in five years’ time?<\/b><\/p>\n

In a happy place still making music.<\/p>\n

“Great Leap Forward” is out in the UK on April 20. \u00a0For more information about Ninsun Poli visit her\u00a0Official Website.<\/a>\u00a0 Ninsun will be performing at\u00a0The Islington on 30 March. \u00a0Contact the\u00a0venue<\/a>\u00a0for details regarding tickets.<\/p>\n