Photo Supplied by Sarah French Publicity

Ndidi O – Five Questions With

Jenna Melanson·May 21, 2024

Ndidi O Releases New Album, Simple Songs For Complicated Times

Ndidi O is a true force of nature. For over two decades, her raw and powerful voice has breathed fire into her heartfelt songs. Born in Burns Lake, BC, Ndidi left for New York and Toronto to develop her distinctive style. With five solo albums, two Juno nominations, and a WCMA Blues Artist of the Year award, she’s explored roots, blues, soul, and trip-hop.

Her new album, Simple Songs for Complicated Times, recorded live in Nashville, delves into the choices of women who defy societal expectations. With soulful performances and a voice that evokes Etta James and Dionne Warwick, Ndidi delivers a master class in phrasing. This album is her most ambitious work yet, offering searing insights and emotional depth. Don’t miss this moment—Simple Songs for Complicated Times will leave you breathless.

First off care to introduce yourself to our readers?

Of course, hi my name is Ndidi O and I am your friendly neighbourhood roots n blues singer/songwriter.

Tell us a bit about your recent release.

My new release “Simple Songs for Complicated Times” is my most personal and my most intentional album to date. It’s full of stories about acceptance and love and learning to be ok with being who you are and where you are which is something I have been learning how to do.

How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?

I typically allow songs to come to me and when an idea comes it is usually via vocal melody so I will voice note it and revisit it then try and piece together a story based on the tone of my voice in that note. I do not have a specific method. I just flow as corny as that may sound I do my best to allow the song to come to me.

Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?

For this new release, I have a couple of shows on the docket and a festival or two this summer/fall then spring 2025 I will be building more of a run in Western Canada to support the album as it’s a spring 2024 release so touring wise that means most of my shows will be for the next year. I will be working on building a bit more of an online presence and am always open to new ideas on how to share and connect folks to my tunes and my tunes to folks.

Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?

I have been very blessed and have gotten to play many amazing shows but getting to open Taj Mahal in Germany and opening for Buddy Guy in Saskatoon at the jazz fest were two highlights.