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. 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

    Eeppi Ursin on building a trans-Atlantic music career

  2. 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

    Arta Jēkabsone on bringing Latvian folk to New York

  3. 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

    Sari Nordman on battling climate change one knot at a time

  4. 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

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

  5. Episode 5

    Mia Williams on travel, poetry and claiming your artistry

    Finnish Mia Williams worked as an engineer most of her life, before quitting her job and claiming her artistry as a writer and poet. Now a published author of two travel memoirs and a collection of poems, she sits down with us to discuss how her journeys through Canada and Africa turned into books, the quiet luxuries of nature, and her most recent project, the newly published Broken Tree Poems. You can find Mia and her earlier works via https://authorpage.me/mia-williams EPISODE 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: Mia's earlier books "Poems of Life", "Two Goats and Five Chickens", "Roadtrip Through Canada to Alaska" Georgia Blues Musician Jontavius Willis https://jontaviouswillis.com/ Learn more about us at Nordic Artists of New York and join the community at nordicartistsofnewyork.com

    Mia Williams on travel, poetry and claiming your artistry

  6. Episode 6

    Max Johnsson on queer Shakespeare, Off-Off-Broadway and making theatre in NYC

    In this episode we get into a hilarious yet insightful conversation with Swedish actor and theater maker Maximilian Johnsson right on the brink of his newest production, A Man Called Paris - an Off-Off-Broadway queer parody of Romeo and Juliet. Max shared his journey from a drama school in Stockholm to the stages of New York, how he became New York's Swedish go-to Shakespeare connoisseur, his views on competition in the creative field, and much more. You can find Max on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/maximilian.johnsson/ and his production company Kulturkanonen/The Cannon at https://www.instagram.com/kultur.kanonen/ For more information about A Man Called Paris as well as tickets for the August 8th and 9th showing at Under St. Marks, see and follow https://www.instagram.com/amancalledparis/ EPISODE 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: BAM's Hamlet https://www.bam.org/hamlet Astrid Lindgren's world in Sweden https://astridlindgrensvarld.se/en/ Max's favourite spots in NYC: The Back Room https://www.backroomnyc.com/ Monarch Rooftop https://www.monarchrooftop.com/ Learn more about us at Nordic Artists of New York and join the community at nordicartistsofnewyork.com

    Max Johnsson on queer Shakespeare, Off-Off-Broadway and making theatre in NYC

  7. Episode 7

    Simona Smirnova on freedom, artistic rebellion and the GRAMMYs

    In our final episode of the debut season of The True North Podcast, we get to sit down with Simona Smirnova, Lithuanian vocalist, performer, composer and global ambassador of kanklės, the traditional Lithuanian zither. In this extra long and insightful episode we dig deep into her inspiring story, taking us from a small Lithuanian town to the red carpet at the GRAMMYs. This conversation, spanning creative freedom, authenticity, the importance of fun, and necessary artistic rebellion, is a teachable moment to anyone in the arts. Simona's new single with Alec Hutson, called "Nekirsk" is released in Dolby Atmos Immersive Audio on August 13th 2026. You can find it, and more of Simona's music, via simonasmirnova.com or her Instagram, @simonasmirnova EPISODE 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. Excerpt of "Nekirsk" by Simona Smirnova & Alec Hutson. MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: Alec Hutson https://www.deathbycomet.com/alec-hutson Berkeley College of Music https://www.berklee.edu/ Boston Foundation for the Arts Franz Kafka’s "A Hunger Artist" and Simona’s multidisciplinary work "A Hunger Artist" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH2th4Z-R_w Boston Ballet School Lithuanian Foundation Chicago Evergroove Studios in Evergreen, Colorado https://www.evergroove.com/ Northern Manhattan Alliance https://www.nomaanyc.org/ Learn more about us at Nordic Artists of New York and join the community at nordicartistsofnewyork.com BOOKING NOW FOR SEASON 2 OF TRUE NORTH PODCAST - APPLY AS A GUEST BY EMAILING nordicartistsofnewyork@gmail.com

    Simona Smirnova on freedom, artistic rebellion and the GRAMMYs

  8. 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.

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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