Review - NEeMA - Winnipeg Manitoba, July 6, 2010

Review - NEeMA at The West End Cultural Centre - Winnipeg Manitoba Canada - 7/6/2010.

By: Andru Valpy - The Aimless & Andy Show

(Photo: Andru Valpy)

What would you do if your next-door neighbor were Leonard Cohen?

Add to the fact that you are a poet and an aspiring musician, and you have dreamed of working with such a talented individual for as long as you have known.

That question can only be answered by Canadian artist NEeMA, who has just released her self-titled album on Sony Records.

On Tuesday July 6th, 2010 I had the chance to pop into Winnipeg’s West End Cultural Centre to visit and explore NEeMA.

Upon meeting NEeMA I was greeted with a wide smile, and a positive aura.

NEeMA and I had the opportunity to reflect on her musical career, her journeys in life, and her work with Leonard.

It was during this interview (of which you will hear on this weeks episode of “Wake Up Winnipeg” and on The Aimless & Andy VIP Podcast) that NEeMA admitted that being referred to as a musician was still a new concept to her, seeing as she considered herself a poet for most of her life.

NEeMA’s musical career started with poems that she had written throughout her life and in her travels across Canada and at times the world.

It wasn’t until her move to Montreal Quebec that NEeMA started to take her poems to song form.

Though she had started to learn the guitar by herself, NEeMA eventually crossed paths with internationally known artist Leonard Cohen who lived in the same neighborhood as NEeMA.

What transpired from there is reflected on NEeMA’s new album, which I had the chance to hear for myself during the Tuesday night showing.

Upon singing her first whispered Lyrics, I could instantly hear Leonard’s influence on NEeMA.
Though NEeMA was soft spoken and carried a and mysterious tone, the messages and lyrics she shares are strong and powerful.

Like many artists, NEeMA’s lyrics are based on real life experiences and as she admitted were written at important moments in her life.

Her lyrics are certainly relatable, specifically her track “Bone To Pick With Time” in which NEeMA questions the circle of life, and softly expresses that life is too short.

At times during NEeMA’s performance, audience members could be seen drying their eyes of tears after listening to the powerful words of this French Canadian artist.

NEeMA wrapped up the night with a beautiful lullaby simply entitled “Elsa’s Lullaby”.

After the show, NEeMA and I had a chance to reflect on the evening where I offered her my honest opinion and suggested she continue to pursuit her musical career.

I informed her that her performance was refreshing, moving and inspiring and my guest and I mentioned that we would continue to listen to NEeMA's journeys on future albums, for which she was grateful.

If you are someone who appreciates women and songs, and you appreciate Leonard Cohens work, then I personally recommend that you escape reality and explore NEeMA's self tiled album or hear her sacred chords yourself the next time she is in your home-town.

-Av