Simona Smirnova: Genre-bending vocalist interview

Simona Smirnova is a Lithuanian-born jazz vocalist, composer and kanklės player based in New York City. She’s a fixture in the New York live scene with her quartet when she’s not touring the world, including Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Smirnova’s genre-bending style has a unique theatrical flavor and uncanny vocal improvisation techniques. She deftly implements chamber music, Lithuanian zither – kanklės and folkloric chants into foundations of jazz and rock. 

Smirnova’s second album, Joan of Arc, for String Quartet, is an original composition written as a soundtrack for the classic Carl Dreyer silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928). The album is a cinematic landscape of chamber pop, jazz and folklore. Simona’s latest work, it’s her third album “Bird Language” which was released on April 8, 2022. The record combines jazz and Lithuanian folk music written for jazz quartet, string quartet, vocal ensemble, zither and saxophone. You can hear Simona performing her “Bird Language” act in the New York jazz scene on a regular basis. 

Classically trained on Lithuanian zither – kanklės, Smirnova earned her BA in jazz vocals at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater. Shortly after receiving the European Touring Scholarship, she moved to the United States to study at Berklee College of Music where she earned a degree in Contemporary Composition and Production. Simona is a very active member of the musician community around the globe; she is an Alumna of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, a mentor at Berklee Alumni Mentorship program, she is a voting member of Grammy Recording Academy, a mentor at Grammy U program, and a composer member of New York Composers Circle (NYCC).

Let’s find out more about her and her upcoming NYC show!

Hello Simona, great to chat! Tell us about your upcoming show in NYC.

Great to chat, indeed! This upcoming show in New York (Oct 29 2022) is my season kick-off show, which is the first one upon my return from the tour in New Zealand and other summer travels. This show is also for showing the support for my album’s entry for the 65th Grammy Awards this year. My latest album is currently on the ballot in three categories: Best Jazz Vocal Album, Best New Artist and Best Music Video. Even though the voting is ending just a couple of days before the show, this concert will serve the purpose to celebrate the album’s success and for the audience to show their support, in any case, if I get nominated or not. More info: www.simonasmirnova.nyc

Why do you think people are going to want to attend?

My music is niche music. Not sure if everyone would like to attend. People who love jazz, original music, audio experimenting and are curious about Lithuanian ethnic instrument and folklore will want to attend. People who love to support local acts and musicians, and are interested in crossovers between jazz, pop and folk music, will want to attend. 

You choose some cool, lesser known instruments to play such as the kanklės and theremin. What is it about their sounds that appeals to you?

I have played kanklės since I was seven years old. I loved that spellbinding quality of the sound from day one. Since it’s the traditional Lithuanian instrument I love the fact that I can represent my culture and my country internationally. And I can do that not only in folk festivals, but in jazz clubs, night clubs, galleries, museums… really, everywhere! Theremin, on the contrary, came to my life just a year ago as a birthday gift, and I loved the aspect that I can dance and play at the same time. Very much “Simona thing” to do! Theremin is my latest music/love affair, so this is the very beginning of incorporating theremin in my acts. 

What’s been the best part about being a performer?

It always challenges you to grow in many ways. You have to be creative, social, organized, well trained in your field and instrument, in good physical shape, extremely disciplined, educated and your work circumstances are always changing. Being a composer and performer is hard, especially in New York City, but I love it. I spent seven years in music colleges before I became a full time musician, so now I feel that I am well trained and ready for this type of life… I guess the most attractive part of it is that you are never bored. Boredom kills your soul!

And the most difficult?

Independent musicians always struggle with financial stability, having legal representation, health insurance, supporting their families and themselves if they are sick or in transitional moments of their lives. I am also no exception, but most of anything I fear and struggle with daily disrespect musicians have to face. That includes offers to “play for exposure” or for a very little fee; that includes pirating free music and sheet music; and many more similar situations. Musicians study four, six or even eight years in college, and they deserve the same respect as any other professional would receive. Unfortunately, musicians have to face these hard situations daily. That’s why I am very passionate about being a part of different musicians’ organizations and advocating for the rights of creatives. We all consume art and music, but do we pay for it accordingly?

What’s been the most memorable moment you have had as a singer?

I think it would be my very first tour in New Zealand and Australia. It was my first time when I had a chance to perform my original music in new countries which are so far away from Lithuania or the US. In each city I had a different band and that was one of the most thrilling experiences I have had. With each new band my music sounded uniquely, different than ever before.

Any funny or unusual moments in your career you can tell us about?

I got into jazz by listening to Dee Dee Bridgewater. Her singing and music inspired me to study jazz when I was 18 years old and I auditioned for the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater. Nine years later, when I was graduating from Berklee College of Music, she was one of the Honorary Degree Recipients that year and she was the one who gave me my Berklee diploma. That felt like a very unique and symbolic coincidence of my artistic path.

Who are your inspirations, artistically?

Musicians Tigran Hamasyan, Björk, The Bad Plus; Performance artist Marina Abramovic and film directors Alejandro Jodorowsky and David Lynch.

If there was ONE thing you could change about the entertainment industry, what would it be?

Finally pass the law which pays musicians for airing their music on the radio. Did you know that the U.S. is one of only 4 countries in the world that doesn’t pay artists for radio airplay? More unbelievably, the other 3 are North Korea, Iran and China. That says a lot.

Biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve when kitchen sponge is not squeezed and left wet and soapy.

Secret fear?

Driving and board games.

Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you.

I used to have many piercings in my face and I had a punk rock band. When I was 17 years old I started a punk rock festival in my super tiny hometown called Ignalina.

What else are you working on or have coming up next?

This upcoming December I will be releasing a new music video called “Volcano Dreams” which was filmed during this past summer in New Zealand, at Bethells Beach. And next year on February 16th I am releasing my new sheet music book and a fourth album of my original music for the Lithuanian zither – kanklės. The book and album release will be followed by a tour in seven states across the US and in Lithuania.

https://www.instagram.com/simonasmirnova/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simona-smirnova/

https://www.facebook.com/simonasmirnovaartistpage

https://twitter.com/simonajazz

www.youtube.com/perfectear 

www.simonasmirnova.nyc