The spirit of Aretha Franklin lives on
Interview Conduct June 20, 2019
by Dan Locke
In just a few years Melissa Inya has established herself as a renowned artist on the Danish music scene after having performed from coast to coast with her live band Ms Melissa & Her Soul Knights. Melissa Inya is in many ways what the Danish music industry needs – a powerful, authentic and beautiful voice, rooted in Soul, Jazz and Blues, that draws the listener into an atmospheric and timeless universe of sweet melody. As an experienced live performer, she engages her audience at every show with a high level of professionalism and a captivating stage presence. Her enchanting voice can seduce any crowd and bring out an ocean of emotion in all of us.
Melissa Inya has spent all of her life using music as an escape, and as a way to convey her personal stories and thoughts through song. She incorporates herself and her feelings in her music by expressing pain and joy, and turning the negative into something beautiful, which gives Melissa Inya a sense of reflection and optimism in everyday life. Her vision is to create an innovative expression by merging her original, organic voice with modern urban elements.
Dan Locke: Your band is near Copenhagen, Denmark. Tell me about the music scene there?
Melissa Inya: The music scene in Copenhagen is not as varied as one should wish, but the underground music scene is fantastic and you can find all kind of amazing artist in different genres.
What did you listen to growing up?
As a child I grew up with 90’s RNB and Hip-hop- my mother was a breakdancer so that obviously influenced the music in our home a lot. And from my farther, I learned soul, funk, blues, and reggae
Who inspired you?
My biggest musical inspirations are:
Aretha Franklin
Ella Fitzgerald
John Coltrane
Erykah Badu
Lauren hill
I could go on! I also get a lot of inspiration from genres mostly: Jazz, Funk, Soul, blues
What is Danish music?
Danish music is (for me) a variation of what is popular in the rest of the world, with a Scandinavian twist I find that artists singing in Danish get a very good response.
Who do you compare yourself to?
Hmmm, it’s hard comparing myself to another artist. But I’m very inspired by the old school soul/jazz vibe and I think that comes thru in my voice and music
How did you get picked for the YouTube site MillFactory?
I got asked by one of the people who run MillFactory if I could be interested in appearing on one of their live sessions, I was very proud
Tell me the story behind the song “Lullaby”?
Lullaby is a cypher from my former record label, we all had to write a few bars that represented us. Our ways split almost 10 months ago, i stuck too much out from their other artists, I was the only female artist and the only singer (soul singer) and it was hard for the label to navigate around me. But we are still good friends and I really respect their work (check out affiliated)
When you think of Hip-Hop, most people would not think of Denmark. Why do you feel Hip-Hop is so big in Denmark?
I think Hip-hop is big in Denmark, cause of the legends that brought Hip-hop to Denmark in the ’80s, like Rockers By Choice, MC. Einer,- they were a big part of bringing hip hop to Denmark and starting the hype – but again a little country like Denmark is bound to follow what the rest of the world listen to – and obviously, hip-hop is big in the rest of the world. It’s said that Copenhagen was the first city outside the US to embrace hip-hop. All the elements have always been very strong and present here.
How was it to play the Agnes Henningsen Festival last year?
Agnes Henningsen was amazing and such an honor to perform at such an important event.
How did you get Ms. Melissa and her Soul Knights together?
Ms. Melissa & her soul knights were brought together in Freetown Christiania. I had my first gig, but I didn’t have any band. So, I sat at our local Jazz Club, praying and asking God/universe to send me someone and there came Pelle von Bülow – my guitarist. I told him about the gig and my situation, Pelle said: no problem, I will gather a few cats and 3 days after we played my first gig at Operaen in Christiania for Christiania’s 43 birthday.
You recently did Aretha Franklin Tribute for the third time. How did it start? And tell me something about it?
So, I started ‘Inya’s Soul Night presents: Aretha Franklin Tribute’. I was on the bus when I heard of Aretha Franklin’s death – it broke my heart, Aretha Franklin, her music has followed me thru my whole life and I’ve always felt a certain connection with her, thru her music. So, when she died, I felt a need to do something and thought up of the ideas of making a tribute concert! It had a lot of success.
Any plans to touring?
I will be touring when my upcoming Album is released
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years, I hope to have gotten even closer to the music energy that grows so intense in me, closer to the music light and in a deeper connection to my inner voice and melodies.
Anything you like to say in closing?
Please stay tuned for my upcoming album. And also, single’s, videos that we will release in the nearest future
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