01Profile
A INKA UPENDO Photo
INKA UPENDO
Musician — Helsinki
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Inka Pohjonen aka INKA UPENDO from Finland, Helsinki.
Describe your style in three words?
Experimental, eclectic, skate-wear.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Die Antwood because I was sober and the energy they put out made me feel ecstatic.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Sophie and Billie Eilish because I get compared to them often and our live sets would bounce off each other.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Industrial music because I’ve always been keen on everything that’s outrageous. Rave culture because I love the European underground club scene and heavy metal - growing up in Finland there was A LOT of that.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Mirra Alfassa - known as “The Mother” who was the founder of Auroville, an experimental township in India that “wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities” - Mirra Alfassa.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
One time at FMM Sines World Music festival in Portugal I got to perform in a castle which was phenomenal.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
My dad Kimmo Pohjonen for sure. If it wasn’t for his experimental music and endless love, I wouldn’t be here.
Originally from Helsinki, Electronic musician/producer Inka Upendo now splits her time between Falmouth and Finland. She was a BBC Radio 1 Next Wave artist in 2019 with her debut Samsara EP, released in October the same year.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'I Just Wanna Live' by Good Charlotte. On my blue Phillips portable CD player back in 2004 when I was 16 and DYING TO HAVE A LIFE.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Like Em Young' by Tove Lo. Because for some reason I ended up dating my little sister’s friends haha no shame!
One record you would keep forever?
'Currents' by Tame Impala. In 2015 I started producing my own tracks and was so impressed learning how Kevin Parker had done everything on his record. It was also the summer of love for me because I was interrailing in the UK, falling in love with every other boy with an accent.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Follow me down to the valley below, moonlight is bleeding from out of your soul”
From the song 'Lazarus' by Porcupine Tree. I’ve always been a huge romantic and thought these lyrics were painfully exceptional.
A song you wished you had written?
'Evening Side' by Four Tet. I don't know what it is about this song but it’s magical.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Inspector Norse' by Todd Terje.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'The Fear You Won’t Fall' by Joshua Radin. I really don’t know why but I used to look at myself in the mirror and cry. And I wasn’t even that young.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Ginger' by Riton.This song is so underrated!
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Gosh' by Jamie xx.A perfect track for when it’s 4am, you’re tired but you don’t wanna leave just yet and all you’re capable of is swaying left and right like you have a balance disorder.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Kero Kero Bonito, Sega Bodega, Shygirl, Dinamarca, COBRAH.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Inka Pohjonen aka INKA UPENDO from Finland, Helsinki.
Describe your style in three words?
Experimental, eclectic, skate-wear.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Die Antwood because I was sober and the energy they put out made me feel ecstatic.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Sophie and Billie Eilish because I get compared to them often and our live sets would bounce off each other.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Industrial music because I’ve always been keen on everything that’s outrageous. Rave culture because I love the European underground club scene and heavy metal - growing up in Finland there was A LOT of that.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Mirra Alfassa - known as “The Mother” who was the founder of Auroville, an experimental township in India that “wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities” - Mirra Alfassa.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
One time at FMM Sines World Music festival in Portugal I got to perform in a castle which was phenomenal.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
My dad Kimmo Pohjonen for sure. If it wasn’t for his experimental music and endless love, I wouldn’t be here.
Originally from Helsinki, Electronic musician/producer Inka Upendo now splits her time between Falmouth and Finland. She was a BBC Radio 1 Next Wave artist in 2019 with her debut Samsara EP, released in October the same year.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'I Just Wanna Live' by Good Charlotte. On my blue Phillips portable CD player back in 2004 when I was 16 and DYING TO HAVE A LIFE.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Like Em Young' by Tove Lo. Because for some reason I ended up dating my little sister’s friends haha no shame!
One record you would keep forever?
'Currents' by Tame Impala. In 2015 I started producing my own tracks and was so impressed learning how Kevin Parker had done everything on his record. It was also the summer of love for me because I was interrailing in the UK, falling in love with every other boy with an accent.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Follow me down to the valley below, moonlight is bleeding from out of your soul”
From the song 'Lazarus' by Porcupine Tree. I’ve always been a huge romantic and thought these lyrics were painfully exceptional.
A song you wished you had written?
'Evening Side' by Four Tet. I don't know what it is about this song but it’s magical.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Inspector Norse' by Todd Terje.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'The Fear You Won’t Fall' by Joshua Radin. I really don’t know why but I used to look at myself in the mirror and cry. And I wasn’t even that young.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Ginger' by Riton.This song is so underrated!
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Gosh' by Jamie xx.A perfect track for when it’s 4am, you’re tired but you don’t wanna leave just yet and all you’re capable of is swaying left and right like you have a balance disorder.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Kero Kero Bonito, Sega Bodega, Shygirl, Dinamarca, COBRAH.