Aki Kaurismäki is suddenly writing comedies, the Finns are dancing swing and drinking Coke. The new Finnish blues star is to blame: the 20-year-old, red-haired singer Ina Forsman.
The young woman not only looks glamorous, but also has a huge dose of glamor in her voice. She also has immense skill and a raw and direct way of singing. For her debut album "Ina Forsman", the young talent from Helsinki wrote all the lyrics herself, complemented by a cover version of the Nina Simone song "I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl".
Collaboration with Helge Tallqvist
Forsman's mentor was the Finnish blues harp player Helge Tallqvist, who taught her everything she needed to know about the blues and - bang - recorded a record with her after hearing the highly talented but headstrong singer at the Finnish "Idols" talent contest. That was in 2012, when Ina Forsman decided at the tender age of six: "I want to be a singer!" Anyone who has represented their own country at the European Blues Challenge at the age of 18 and has two albums to their name by the age of 20 has undoubtedly achieved this. You should experience Ms. Forsman live.
