In this episode:
Listen to a conversation between your host Vivienne Aerts and Lithuanian-born vocalist, composer and kanklės player Simona Smirnova as we talk about creating music, stepping out of your comfort zone and finding out who you are as a musician.
About Simona Smirnova
Simona Smirnova is a Lithuanian-born vocalist, composer and kanklės player based in New York City. A global ambassador for the Lithuanian national instrument kanklės, she is currently the only professional kanklės player in the United States! Simona is a fixture in the New York live scene with her band when she’s not touring the world, including Australia, New Zealand and Europe. She deftly implements Lithuanian zither – kanklės and folk melodies into foundations of jazz, pop and electronic music. Always on the road, always charming and smiling, Simona is a true artistic soul that effervescently represents diversity and passion for arts.
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.
About ViviTalks
- Interviews with the Women Behind Typuhthâng. Introducing ViviTalks, a podcast hosted by Dutch New York-based musician Vivienne Aerts. Join us as we celebrate 100 talented female musicians from Vivienne's latest album "Typuhthâng," with a mission to empower female cacao farmers in the Virunga State Park of Congo and contribute to rainforest restoration. We delve into the musical journeys, creative processes, and unique perspectives of these talented women, seeking to bring greater balance to the music industry. It's a safe space for honest and authentic conversations with artists and trailblazers. Let's amplify the voices of remarkable women in music and stay tuned for inspiring stories and meaningful dialogues on ViviTalks. Stream the Album
Buy it on Bandcamp and get the chocolate!