London singer and songwriter Poppy Adjudha convinces with an amazing voice and a soulful sound. Photographer Savannah Blake asked her in front of her lens and Asha Angullia talked to her about how she started to compose songs and about her new projects. Styling and creative direction by Alexa Kesta.

Firstly, in your own words, can you please describe yourself as a musician?

As a musician I’m a singer, songwriter and (closet) guitarist, I started out writing poetry and then decided that I could make something more out of it and so taught myself on guitar the little I know and started composing songs.

Your sound is so soulful but modern, can you tell us about your influences? What artists and genres have helped you develop your own style?

I’ve been influenced by so many artist throughout my life, mostly a lot of old stuff. I grew up on roots reggae, motown and rare grooves, my mum used to play Marvin Gaye, Al Green tapes in the car constantly and then as I got older I started getting into Jazz, Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie, Alice Coltrane. Now its everything, as well as more modern stuff like Solange, Eric Lau, Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington & Anderson Paak.

You were solely a songwriter before you became a singer/songwriter, what made you decide to start writing and performing for yourself?

Yeah it was solely personal in the beginning, when I did sing I’d do it with this accent because I didn’t want anyone to know what I was singing about. I think it was just about confidence, I’ve always had something to say through my music, it just took me a while to realise people might be interested in hearing it.

You’ve performed at events promoting feminism and supporting women in the music industry, was this based on personal experience? Describe what it’s been like for you personally as a woman in music.

It’s been really amazing to be a part of and support so many projects that value and celebrate women in music, especially with TEDxUCL. I think it’s always difficult navigating yourself in an intensely male dominated sphere especially when it comes to the music industry and projects or events like those really help to even out the balance. I’ve always been a strong feminist, and tried to reject normative gender ideologies, or the idea that gender can’t be fluid, but I’ve often found it hard to put that across in my songs, I feel I’ve overcome this more in my recent years.

And finally, what new projects do you have coming up that we should look out for?

I’m about to release a single and am currently collaborating with some amazing producers on an EP. I’m really looking forward to putting out music that represents me now, my newest music will definitely bring in themes on women, politics and of course always love.

Follow @savannahblake_ and @_v3nus for an upcoming project on young British artists.
photography by Savannah Blake
www.savannahblakephotography.com
soundcloud.com/poppyajudha @__v3nus

Photographed & creative direction by Savannah Blake @savannahblake_
Styling & creative direction by Alexa kesta @_v3nus
Singer/model @poppyadjudha
Interviewed & special thanks to Asha Angullia