Following the release of her conceptual electronic rock project Nefertiti XXI, we caught an interview with artist and songwriter Inanna to find out more about the music and her hopes for the future. Here’s how it went.
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Hi Inanna – thanks for the interview. Congrats on the debut release. In your own words, what’s the concept behind Nefertiti XXI, and why did you decide to create a song around that?
Hello! Thank you so much for having me! The song is about the importance of having a female perspective in politics to take better care of our planet. Women’s nurturing and empathetic qualities are very much needed in environmental policies. The song was inspired by the famous Egyptian queen of the past, Nefertiti, representing all the women who managed to rule their world in ancient times, and summoned back to the XXI century to battle against the neglect and destruction of the planet.
What do you hope people take away from this release?
I hope they take away the feeling that it’s ok to talk about and stand for what really matters to them, that it’s possible to change things, that the future is not hopeless. Arts, and artists together, can create change. Poetry, music, film and art in general have the power to show, to create awareness, to bring together for a cause. I hope that people will, more and more, let their voices be heard, every day, every choice and every piece of art makes a big difference!
Who or what would you say inspires or influences you the most musically?
I’ve always loved Placebo, Björk, Sigur Ros, Madonna, Daughter, Muse, PJ Harvey, Skunk Anansie and more alternative between the 90s and the 2000s… Lately I discovered Sevdaliza and Grandson and I like them a lot. As for the Middle Eastern side, I love Natacha Atlas, Beats Antique and Solace, and incredible tribal fusion dancers like Rachel Brice, Sharon Kihara and Zoe Jakes.
Is there a longer project on the way, and if so – will you be continuing to explore the topics touched upon by the song?
Absolutely! Nefertiti XXI is the first of a long series of environmentalist songs, it’s a good introduction to Inanna as it presents the environmentalist side, the feminine-power side and the bellydance element. All this will come back in the EP and the album, where each song will be dedicated to an environmental, animalist or future-related topic. I am hoping to release the EP by this Fall and the album early next year.
How has the reception to the single been so far?
It’s been great! I was afraid that the audience wouldn’t get the environmental message from the very first song, but they did, especially after watching the video, I got many comments about the importance of it and everyone has been very encouraging about the project. I can’t wait to share more songs!
The song has a fairly huge instrumental sound. Will you be performing live, and if so, will that be with a big band vibe or purely you and the backing music?
We haven’t planned the live yet, I’ll be performing in a couple of acoustic gigs soon here in Los Angeles but the big show will probably be planned for the end of the year or next year. The music is very elaborate and we’ll need several people on stage, plus I will need some dancers with me 😉
What are your main aspirations as an artist right now?
Reaching out to my community, creating awareness about the importance of living in balance with nature, singing for all the animals and landscapes who are being tortured, killed or destroyed, and, ultimately, to inspire, give hope and create an alliance with my audience to build a green and thriving future altogether.
What’s something about you that most people don’t know?
I am very open about myself, my passions and my ideas, so I don’t really know if there is anything people don’t know about me 🙂 . Maybe that apart from being a singer, dancer and actress, I worked with horses and horse-riding for many years. It was one of the best periods of my life, I love being among animals!
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
Why not? I am very excited about the next single, it’s called On Fire and it’s a song about deforestation, animal habitat loss and climate change. It’s another powerful song where the Middle Eastern element is more pronounced. I hope you’ll like it! We don’t have a release date yet, but it will probably be in August. Keep updated through my website or social media! Thank you all!
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Find & follow Inanna on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram or visit her Website.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDXhFPJ5u6c&feature=youtu.be
