An already alluring combination of being born and raised in Sweden to Iranian parents, Snoh Aalegra finds her artistic journey take her to LA. Undoubtedly talented from the off, her sultry vocal style makes you recall many of the soulful greats, simultaneously conjuring up enough curiosity to keep you wondering where her storytelling will take you. Having released her debut album Feels and toured around Europe, Snoh Aalegra demonstrates that despite working with a roster of big names, she is more than capable of standing alone – letting her work speak for itself.
From being sampled on Drake’s More Life album, collaborating with Vince Staples (with a hot video to boot), to touring with Daniel Caesar, Snoh Aalegra has proved time and time again that she is a musical force to be reckoned with. However, surely little endorsement and testament to artistic talent can come greater than the late Prince choosing to have his watchful eye over her. We talk to Snoh Aalegra about this (obviously) and much more…
KALTBLUT: You were born to Persian parents in Sweden and now based in LA. How have these transitions shaped you?
Snoh Aalegra: I’m definitely heavily influenced by both Swedish, Iranian culture and the American culture, as it’s obviously shaped who I am and therefore my sound and my music. I was born and raised in Sweden and learned how to speak Farsi and Swedish at the same time at home, and when I started watching TV as a kid is when I first got introduced to the American culture. I automatically started learning English through the subtitles.
KALTBLUT: You released your full-length debut album Feels a few months ago. Were you nervous about its release and how do you feel about it now?
Snoh Aalegra: I wasn’t nervous. Just more excited to be honest. I feel good, and I’m working on new music.
KALTBLUT: There’s quite an eclectic mix on the album which seems to effortlessly and timelessly span decades. An old-school soulfulness with your beautifully sultry, understated vocals we hear hints of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Nina Simone et al. What are your influences and are there any not so obvious or unusual inspirations at the time making Feels?
Snoh Aalegra: Thank you, those are some of my idols that you just compared me to. I’m very heavily influenced by those artists you just mentioned. Also Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill, Brandy and more. Lyrically, it’s all inspired by my own life and experiences.
KALTBLUT: You’ve worked with rappers Vince Staples, Timbuktu and Drake have also sampled you, to name but a few. What would you say has been your favourite collaboration?
Snoh Aalegra: I’ve enjoyed all my collaborations for different reasons. They all have a different meaning to me. The Timbuktu one was extra special cause I grew up really loving him as a kid. He’s still a very relevant artist and author and OG from Sweden, so having him on the project meant a lot to me. His verse is so damn deep, hard to even translate to English.
KALTBLUT: What has it been like working and producing with No I.D (whose roster of artist collaborations read as iconic and limitless)?
Snoh Aalegra: It’s been great. I feel very grateful to have his guidance and support. I always learn so much when I’m in the studio with him and we are creating. He is so wise and such a rare, pure soul in this industry.
KALTBLUT: Prince approaching you speaks volumes about you as an artist. What was it like to have such an icon watch over you?
Snoh Aalegra: It was surreal. He would literally watch every move I made musically, even every tweet, Instagram, Tumblr post. Anything I would do he would be watching and knowing that always kept me on my feet. I took away so much from those 3 years having him in my life. I’m truly heartbroken over his passing, and it doesn’t go a day where he doesn’t cross my mind. He was one of my last few heroes alive. There’s very few left for me and that again breaks my heart into a million pieces. Music is just not the same anymore.
KALTBLUT: You completed a North America tour and have come to the end of your mini European jaunt. How has it been so far and what has been your favourite memory on this tour?
Snoh Aalegra: The North American tour I was opening for Daniel Caesar, which was such a really fun and memorable experience. I’m truly grateful for them letting me be a part of that tour. The European mini-tour was my own first headline tour, so obviously, that was very special to me. It was the very first time I got to meet my own fans. People that actually had bought tickets to see me and only me. I was so shocked over the wide range of my fans. I literally had people from 18-60 years old at my shows. Moms with their daughters, fathers with their sons, single moms, young couples, young teenagers. I was so pleasantly surprised to find out that my music speaks to all ages!
KALTBLUT: Finally, what else can we look forward to from you this year?
Snoh Aalegra: More music.
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Photos by Madeleine Dalla
