Words by Art Jefferson
Photography Nina Andersson, Loella Billner and courtesy of Ninsun Poli
To be an artist from Stockholm, Sweden is like arriving from birth, instantly falling into a baptism of pop purification. There is something about the Scandinavian blueprint of pop music that works…and works well. However, Ninsun Poli is not your ordinary Swedish pop artist. Her intensely powerful vocals command with the might of a soulstress, making you feel every note delivered. Integrating the darker tones of pop and electronica, she has created a compound of sound that moves you with sheer impact, instantly bringing you along the course of her journey.
Raised in the Botkyrka section of Stockholm with Assyrian heritage, Ninsun Poli cut her teeth on various styles of music before releasing her debut EP For Real in 2005 and the Breaking Rules EP in 2014, with the years in between the two considered an enlightened period. Her latest EP Great Leap Forward is the latest chapter in her series of recordings that stand with importance, similar to that of history books, giving the listener a vivid insight of the making and world of the singer, as well as the dynamism of her artistry. Whilst the story doesn’t end here, it is one that will resonate for time to come.
I would imagine that music has played an important role with you since childhood, but at what point did you begin to really focus on it as a career?
Ninsun Poli – When I was 18 years old I released my first EP, that was when it became very real to me.
Although you are highly diverse musically, would you say that working within the realms of pop and electronica have given you a bigger palette to express yourself as an artist?
Ninsun Poli – I guess so. The pop and electronic world feels like it’s bigger and has less “rules” to follow. Although I find my freedom by using a piece of all kinds of different musical styles and joining them together to create a sound that’s unique and my own. No rules, no limits, just music.
You headed out to the States for SXSW in Austin, Texas. How was that experience?
Ninsun Poli – It was amazing! It was my first time playing in the States and really a dream come true. I can’t wait to go back!
What is it about the country Sweden that just consistently pumps out a slew of amazing pop acts?
Ninsun Poli – I think creativity in terms of music or any other art form gives us light and warmth in a country that’s very cold and dark big parts of the year.
Does the environment of Stockholm specifically play an important role with you in terms of your creativity and how you approach music?
Ninsun Poli – I’m born and raised in Stockholm so it plays an important role I guess. The people I have around me and the experiences I have had, nothing would have been the same, so yes.
Your latest work is the Great Leap Forward EP. Talk about the inspiration behind the title track because the lyrics are quite potent.
Ninsun Poli – I sat down with Peter Moren and Peter Ågren, we talked about life and then we started writing. Great Leap Forward is about not being afraid of the unknown. It’s about seeing the good in people. Its about equality. It’s about keeping an open-mind and not living in the past, but living in the now and daring that great leap forward into the future.
What do you have coming down the pipeline for the remainder of 2015?
Ninsun Poli – I’m releasing the Great Leap Forward EP very soon and I’m working on my very first album. I am so excited!
Listen to Ninsun Poli’s Great Leap Forward EP via Spotify.
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