The True North Podcast by Nordic Artists of New York

Mia Williams on travel, poetry and claiming your artistry

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:03:00 GMT

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

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

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:01:00 GMT

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

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

Sari Nordman on battling climate change one knot at a time

Wed, 20 May 2026 12:02:02 GMT

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:

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

Arta Jēkabsone on bringing Latvian folk to New York

Wed, 06 May 2026 12:05:00 GMT

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

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

Eeppi Ursin on building a trans-Atlantic music career

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:06:00 GMT

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"

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

Welcome to The True North Podcast

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 01:50:58 GMT

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.