“There are two Irish trad songs along with an Americana trad song on this new release. I am now based in Ireland and have found many correlations between Irish traditional music and trad blues and folk music from the African American world and so in making this album which was recorded in County Cork Ireland, I wanted to blend these two worlds.”

Ndidi O: It’s About Time

Ndidi Onukwulu known as Ndidi O is a two-time JUNO nominated and WCMA Blues Artist of the Year that has to date released six albums under her solo moniker and multiple singles as part of her trip hop duo BOGA. She has toured nationally and internationally playing festivals and concert halls. Hailing from the wilds of British Columbia (Canada) she found her voice in the open mic scene in New York, discovered her sound in the heart of Toronto’s blues and folk scene, fine tuned her live show across Europe and has now finally settled for the moment back on the West Coast. Ndidi O is working on new musical offerings from her solo project, her trip hop duo BOGA and her upcoming collaboration The Blue And Gold with multi-instrumental singer-songwriter Trish Klein. On March 6th, Ndidi O will be releasing her seventh recording It’s About Time via Cordova Bay Records. Ndidi says: "The focus track, "Young One" in particular, is very special as it’s a song about grief and it truly encapsulates the primary theme of this whole album time, how it moves and how the passing of time lives in the body and so dreams I once had now need to die and now I need to take stock of what I have done, and what I can and will still do and let go of the parts of me that are dying.”

(Photo: Ndidi Onukwulu known as Ndidi O)

"The album features eight original songs, including one cover and one gorgeous take on an Irish Traditional song, "She Moved Through The Fair". "Irish traditional music is very similar to traditional roots and blues where I am from and my specialty, if you will, is singing spirituals/a cappella style singing", says Ndidi. "In Irish tradition there is a style of singing called Sean Nos that reminds me so much of it and so I heard this song and it felt very spiritual and pulled me in so I wanted to include it as at the end of the day I believe our voices are the most powerful instruments we have."

Interview by Michaeel Limnios                             Archive: Ndidi O, 2024 interview

Special Thanks: Sarah French Publicity

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process? 

I have been a singer-songwriter in a professional capacity for now 20 years and I would say my vocal range, control and ability has grown along with my ability to craft a song and story. What has remained the same is my willingness to experiment and to go against any expected grain in any and all creative capacities.

Who are some of your very favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music?

If I am being honest I am not really that inspired by other musicians, I enjoy and support musical artists such as Steve Dawson, Kinnie Starr and Terra Lightfoot. I am appreciate and admire what they do and how the continue to create and a collaborate. I am most inspired by the world around me and my personal interactions with people. I am an avid reader and television and film watcher so books such as Laila Lalami and her most recent book The Dream Hotel, along with directors like Janizca Bravo whose work I admire and find very inspiring. 

Currently you’ve one release with an Irish traditional song. How did that idea come about? Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album “It’s About Time”?

There are two Irish trad songs along with an Americana trad song on this new release. I am now based in Ireland and have found many correlations between Irish traditional music and trad blues and folk music from the African American world and so in making this album which was recorded in County Cork Ireland, I wanted to blend these two worlds.                                                (Photo: Ndidi Onukwulu known as Ndidi O)

“My latest work is a love letter to the perimenopausal woman the community I am now a part of. I have never tried to be relevant, as I can only write to the world I know and the space I reside in. I am an artist who people tend to find at the time they need to find me. I just keep writing for and to the people in community that I am in and hope that it brings them joy and makes them feel seen and cared for.”

How do you prepare for your recordings and performances to help you maintain both spiritual and musical stamina?

I prepare for recording sessions and live performances by always remembering to warm up and cool down my voice before and after I am also a fan of hatha yoga and breath work as a way to keep my nervous system regulated and my body feeling safe and grounded so that I can create.

What keeps a musician passionate over the years? How does your hometown and your travels that affect your music?

Honestly I do not know what keeps a musician passionate. I am delving into playwriting and am developing an immersive theatre trip hop opera so I think for me finding new ways to create and build community is what keeps me passionate because the music industry today is a mess and is under attack by tech companies and their need to destroy the arts.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

My latest work is a love letter to the perimenopausal woman the community I am now a part of. I have never tried to be relevant, as I can only write to the world I know and the space I reside in. I am an artist who people tend to find at the time they need to find me. I just keep writing for and to the people in community that I am in and hope that it brings them joy and makes them feel seen and cared for. 

I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to speak to me today . I am very excited for "It's About Time" to be out for everyone to hear and appreciate you helping me get the word out. Thank you.

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(Photo: Ndidi O)