Ezinma
You might already be familiar with Ezinma from her amazing violin covers, where she applies a classical sensibility to the contemporary electronic currents of pop music. The Nebraska by NYC multi-disciplined artist has played with legends from Stevie Wonder to Yo-Yo Ma, and now readies her debut EP I Am Ezinma for the world. Shifting focus from her re-conceptualization of modern music, Ezinma presents with the world premiere of her single “Spacemajik” where the concerns over saying goodbye to a loved one are delivered in violin strings, and restrained atmospheric spaces. Ezinma composed the instrumental for “Spacemajik” while exploring Berlin, drawing it’s title from a segment of the Berlin Wall from the East Side Gallery, international memorial for freedom. From here you can witness the rush of feelings and emotions that are triggered from the melodic slide of strings and the perpetual electronic pulse at the song’s heart.
One of the fascinating aspects of Ezinma’s violin string skills (of which she has earned her MA in performance) is how she actively utilizes the classical approach to enhance and expand the possibilities in pop musical construction. Applying innovations to contemporary arrangements, Ezinma introduces various aspects from her own experiences into the picture from the departures of others, the arrivals of new adventures, and the feelings that ruminate in the spaces between the ennui of the minute to minute. As the narrative and reflections rush forward with the poetic scheme of an overseas bound jet plane, Ezinma paints grander scopes of the story of the empty spaces and misconceptions between lovers in a mist of atmospheric synths, and backup over-dubs that mingle between the kinetic rhythm sequence and the lush, skyward string compositions. “Spacemajik” is a song of celestial healing for parted lovers coping with the world after the smoke & mirrors settle after the roar of a formerly burning flame has been extinguished to the smoldering embers. Read our following interview with Ezinma.
What first lead you toward the violin, and how did you move from classical to crafting your own pop songs?
I started playing when I was four years old. I’m from Nebraska and I went to a Montessori school on a farm. They had a Suzuki violin program and my friends had these little violins. Every afternoon during violin class I’d hear the other kids scratch away on their fiddles. I wanted a violin to join in the fun so my parents rented me my first instrument. I don’t think my parents ever thought I would stick with it and they never imagined I would become a professional violinist. From there I started practicing more and more. Even as child I would play concerti and sonatas. I loved the violin and was always very serious about it. When I was in my undergrad, I switched from pre‐med to music. I was 20. It was then that I decided I wanted to build a career as a violinist. After studying at The New School, I began to think outside of the rules of classical music. Once I experienced the musical versatility and power of my computer, I became very interested in blending my love for classical and popular music.
How do you define or describe your own song-crafting process?
I listen to a lot of music. For inspiration I usually turn to classical music and electronica (usually without lyrics). From there I just dream. I listen, I think, I journal, I sketch. Then I sit down at the piano and start figuring stuff out. I am not a pianist at all, but I usually use the keyboard to hash out chords. Melody comes naturally for me because I am a violinist. Once I have those things, if I’m really feeling the track, everything else flows. Even though there is struggle in the process, I’m always amazed by how a song unfolds.
Ezinma; photographed by Sean Pressly.
Tell us what the process of recording & creating your I Am Ezinma EP was like, and what sorts of discoveries and the like surprised you along the way?
The process was very organic. I wrote the EP over the course of a year and a half.
At first it was just me messing around in Ableton. I posted some stuff on Soundcloud and had very positive response so I decided to write more, that turned into I’m going to make an EP, and now the EP is inspiring an album. Probably the most interesting development was the addition of lyrics. These songs were first instrumental tracks. It’s funny because deep down, I always wanted to sing on the tracks but felt I wasn’t good enough to be a singer. So one day my friend was listening to the EP and was like this is dope but you need lyrics, “why don’t you sing?” I’m not sure what it was, but at that moment I was ready to take the leap. The next day I started writing lyrics and melodies. I’ve always loved writing and melodies come pretty easily as a violinist so the writing process was surprisingly smooth. What was more difficult was overcoming my fear of singing. I’ve never been a singer and to be honest I’m very self conscious of my voice. I think that comes from my classical background where to be a “singer” you need training, the best teachers, and years of experience–which simply isn’t true. Standing in front of the microphone for the first time was so hard, but now that we’ve been recording for about a month, I hear my voice in the tracks and I’m loving it.
Ezinma, photographed by Shervin Lainez.
Describe the bittersweet farewells that informed the enchanted, spaced-out vignette—“Spacemajik”.
“Spacemajik” was about ending a very serious four year relationship spring of 2015. The song paints that feeling of ambivalent farewell. It was sad for both of us, but on a deeper level it was actually a relief. That’s where you get that sugar-sweet happiness at the end of the song.
You are famous for your violin covers…can you tell us who else you plan on covering in the near future?
Definitely Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Kanye West. I haven’t gotten them yet. I do a lot of trendy hip hop songs, but I also plan to do more timeless tunes such as Bob Marley “Redemption Song” and “Jolene” by Dolly Parton. I love those songs.
Other artists you want to recognize that are doing great things in the world?
I am a huge fan of Jamie XX. I am incredibly inspired by his work.
Summer and spring plans?
Right now I am involved in an opera. It is amazing but I don’t have much free time right now. It is hard for me to be creative when I am so busy. Once that is done, I’m excited to finish up the full album.
Hear more from Ezinma via her site, I Am Ezinma is available now.
