The True North Podcast by Nordic Artists of New York

Nordic Artists of New York
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Welcome to The True North Podcast by Nordic Artists of New York. Join us in getting to know some of the greatest Nordic and Baltic artists, creators and cultural visionaries in New York and USA, and hear about their journeys across the Atlantic, their art and creative vision, how they stay connected to their Northern roots and where and how did they find their unique purpose - their True North. The True North Podcast is produced by the Nordic Artists of New York (NANY) community and hosted by its founder Petra Jasmiina.

Season 1

  1. Eeppi Ursin on building a trans-Atlantic music career

    Episode 1

    Eeppi Ursin on building a trans-Atlantic music career

    In this candid conversation Finnish singer-songwriter Eeppi Ursin reveals how she built a successful career on both sides of the Atlantic, breaks down the realities of independent musicianship in New York City, and talks about Finnishness, the immigrant experience and how it feels when your small country is suddenly "trending" worldwide. MUSIC: Teaser clip: Sisu Song from Eeppi's upcoming album "My Finnish Soul, Vol.2" The True North Podcast Theme "Voices from the North" is composed by Finnish singer-songwriter and composer Eeppi Ursin. You can find her music on eeppiursin.com or your favourite music streaming platform. SHOWNOTES: Find Eeppi's music on her website or on your favourite streaming platform. Her album "My Finnish Soul, Vol.2" is out May 15th, led by single "New Yorkista Puumalaan (From New York to Puumala)" on April 24th, 2026. In the end of the episode Eeppi mentions a Buddhist mantra, "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" which is the primary chant or mantra in Nichiren Buddhism, translating roughly to "I devote myself to the Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra". It signifies dedicating one's life to the inherent, enlightened potential within all people (Buddhahood) and harmonizing with the fundamental, wonderful law (Myoho) of the universe. Learn more about us at Nordic Artists of New York and join the community at nordicartistsofnewyork.com

    1h 18m
  2. Arta Jēkabsone on bringing Latvian folk to New York

    Episode 2

    Arta Jēkabsone on bringing Latvian folk to New York

    How does Latvian folk blend in with the New York jazz scene? In this episode Arta Jēkabsone, Latvian Music Awards "New Artist of the Year 2022" and Montreux Shure Jazz Voice winner takes us on a whimsical journey of music, heritage and leaps of faith, from a small Latvian town to New York City, and reveals how and why she ended up reimagining Latvian folklore for her newest album, "Dziesmu Kamoliņš - Garland of Songs". MUSIC: Teaser clip: Arta Jēkabsone: Dziesmu Kamoliņš The True North Podcast Theme "Voices from the North" is composed by Finnish singer-songwriter and composer Eeppi Ursin. You can find her music on eeppiursin.com or your favourite music streaming platform. SHOWNOTES: Find Arta's music on https://artajekabsone.com/ and all major music platforms. Mentioned in the episode: The Jazz Gallery - https://jazzgallery.org Swedish Midsummer, NYC: https://bpca.ny.gov/news/events/special-events/swedish-midsummer-festival/ Estonian Midsummer, Long Island, NY: https://www.estonianhouseny.org/midsummer Learn more about us at Nordic Artists of New York and join the community at nordicartistsofnewyork.com

    1h 2m
  3. Sari Nordman on battling climate change one knot at a time

    Episode 3

    Sari Nordman on battling climate change one knot at a time

    In this episode we have the pleasure of talking to Finnish multi-disciplinary artist Sari Nordman about her colourful career in the arts, transitioning from dance into visual arts and handicraft, and how her environmental, community driven projects "Tower" and "Anxiety" battle climate change one conversation and one knot at a time. You can find Sari's work at https://sarinordman.com/ and visit her open studios during her Governor's Island LMCC Residency on Saturdays June 20th, July 25th, August 22nd and September 26th, 12-5pm. MUSIC: The True North Podcast Theme "Voices from the North" is composed by Finnish singer-songwriter and composer Eeppi Ursin. You can find her music on eeppiursin.com or your favourite music streaming platform. MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: Sari's podcast "Tower - Bridging Voices On Climate Change" https://sarinordman.com/bridging-voices-on-climate-change/ Swedish Midsummer, NYC: https://bpca.ny.gov/news/events/special-events/swedish-midsummer-festival/ Estonian Midsummer, Long Island, NY: https://www.estonianhouseny.org/midsummer Learn more about us at Nordic Artists of New York and join the community at nordicartistsofnewyork.com

    59 min
  4. Elsa Nilsson on art, social justice and the in-betweens

    Episode 4

    Elsa Nilsson on art, social justice and the in-betweens

    In this episode we get to sit down with Swedish flutist and composer Elsa Nilsson on the cusp of the release of "Liminal", her new album with Band of Pulses, releasing on June 12 via Adhyâropa Records. In her newest work Elsa explores the in-betweens - those transitional or initial stages of a process - in light of both our personal lives, and in the larger cultural and political conversation. We also discuss the place of both art, and Nordic immigrants, in conversations about social justice, and dive deep into the artistic community of New York City. "Liminal" is out June 12th, with an Album Release show at Bar Bayeux (Brooklyn) on July 22nd. Find this, and Elsa's earlier work on elsanilssonmusic.com or your favourite music platform. EPISODE MUSIC: Teaser clip: "Andetag" from "Liminal" by Elsa Nilsson & Band of Pulses The True North Podcast Theme "Voices from the North" is composed by Finnish singer-songwriter and composer Eeppi Ursin. You can find her music on eeppiursin.com or your favourite music streaming platform. MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: Thr "Atlas of Sound" series: https://www.elsanilssonmusic.com/release Book recommendation: "Blues People: Negro Music in White America" is a non-fiction book focusing on the Afro-American music, published in 1963 by Amiri Baraka, who published it under the pen name LeRoi Jones. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues_People Swedish Midsummer, NYC: https://bpca.ny.gov/news/events/special-events/swedish-midsummer-festival/ Estonian Midsummer, Long Island, NY: https://www.estonianhouseny.org/midsummer Learn more about us at Nordic Artists of New York and join the community at nordicartistsofnewyork.com

    1h 6m

  5. Season 1 Trailer

    Welcome to The True North Podcast

    Welcome to The True North Podcast by Nordic Artists of New York! The True North Podcast is a new series discovering the untold stories of some of the greatest Nordic and Baltic artists, creators and cultural visionaries in New York City. Through candid conversation and personal storytelling, we get to hear about their art and creative vision, life-changing journeys across the Atlantic, the messy middles and challenges of building a career in New York, and how they stay connected to their Northern roots in the concrete jungle. The True North Podcast is produced by Nordic Artists of New York community and hosted by its founder Petra Jasmiina. The first season is generously supported by the Finlandia Foundation National.

    1 min

Trailer

About

Welcome to The True North Podcast by Nordic Artists of New York. Join us in getting to know some of the greatest Nordic and Baltic artists, creators and cultural visionaries in New York and USA, and hear about their journeys across the Atlantic, their art and creative vision, how they stay connected to their Northern roots and where and how did they find their unique purpose - their True North. The True North Podcast is produced by the Nordic Artists of New York (NANY) community and hosted by its founder Petra Jasmiina.

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