Interview by Dan Prince
Hey Polina, great to have you on board at DMCWORLD. I suppose it was written in the stars that you would enter the world of music, your mother is of course the Russian pop singer Anka. What are your earliest musical memories as a child?
My first recollection of music is seeing my mom on stage, I think it really rocked my consciousness, to know that moms can also be these powerful, beautiful ladies on stage in costumes. Mom says that I hummed my first melody at two and a half years old. Which she recorded and sang back to me when I grew up. It was of course also my parent’s record collection, which included MJ, Kate Bush, Sade and more…
You are classically trained in piano, did you not find this a little restrictive having so many other
genres of music around you?
I think that actually having all these influences made me a well-rounded writer and better artist. I constantly draw from the past. Also having studied classical music gave me a great foundation and is really how I was able to start writing – at first on the piano and then producing my own songs.
What was the musical dream growing up?
To win a Grammy. Now that I have one thanks to my contributions on Eminem’s MMLP2 album, I would like to continue to transform, reinvent and realize my vision. There’s no bigger joy for me than having a record or a music video come together exactly the way I hear or envision it. And each time I can only hope that it will find an audience, and when that happens – it’s magical.
How did your family react to you wanting to get involved in the music world?
They’ve always been the biggest supporters and my first fans, when I was singing my early songs in our living room. Without their belief in me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
You moved to New York early in your career, what is the story there?
When I was sixteen I got a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston and so I crossed the Atlantic. But after a visit to NY I knew that’s where I needed to be. That’s where I wrote my first big song, released my first record and got signed to a publishing deal soon after.
Your voice is incredible, who are some of the artists that have influenced you over the years…
I’m definitely a kid of the 90’s pop but am also heavily influenced by electronic and dance music that was ruling in Europe in the 90’s. MJ, Prince, Sade, Kate Bush, Grace Jones, Sting, George Michael, Florence + The Machine are among my big influencers.
Very exciting times for you at the moment with the release of your new single ‘Little Babylon’. Please talk us through your beautiful track…rumour has it, it only took you a couple of hours to write?
Indeed it was pure musical chemistry. I met Paddy Hunt, producer on “Little Babylon”, in the studio in Lonson for the first time. Paddy played me this guitar part and melody and lyrics came to me almost instantly. So we recorded the vocals and a few hours later we had a finished record – Little Babylon. I’m also very excited about the video (directed by Rory McKellar), which really captured the mood and story behind the song.
It must be so much fun to jump genres when writing for different artists, the likes of Eminem, Sean Kingston, Steve Aoki and Felix Jaehn have all received your artistry…?
As a writer I find it quite easy and fun to jump between genres. As an artist I’m very particular and hands on in the studio when it comes to my own records. My sound and artistic identity has evolved overtime.
Your collab with Felix ‘Book of Love’ has whipped up more than 22 million combined views – was this the turning point in your career, did this success change things for you?
‘Book Of Love’ was definitely a turning point for me as a record, as it presented me in a new and defining light. When I wrote the song with my co-writer Jimmy Harry we knew right away we had something special. Then followed a chance meeting with Felix Jaehn at his Paris show, when we were exchanging contact details, he looked at my name and said “someone sent me a song called Book Of Love with your name on it today!” So I guess it was fate! I had no idea that my team had already sent him the song.
What can you tell us about the forthcoming ‘CONTESSA I’ EP coming our way later this summer? This is something I’m extremely excited for people to hear and see. Contessa will show a completely new side of me musically and artistically. .
I love style and fashion so besides pushing musical boundaries it is my visual playground, my alter ego and I have a lot of fun with it. The EP will feature a video that we just finished shooting in London.
What is the best and worst thing about living in Los Angeles?
Sushi haha. The amazing range of nature & glamour – the hills, the ocean, combined with some of the most interesting people I’ve ever met and worked with and my closest friends on the planet. Worst – traffic.
You have appeared at a multitude of festivals…what has been your favourite and why?
Ultra Music Festival – it was just a sea of people and the energy was insane.
Out of all of the producers that you have worked with – who has made the biggest impression on you?
I love and learn from all of my producers. It’s special to share this creative space with someone for one record or many.
And finally, you can make 1 record with either Diplo or Calvin Harris. Whodoyapick??
I’d find a way to get them both in the studio and make the biggest record of the decade!
http://www.polinamusic.com/
