Highly acclaimed songstress and Leonard Cohen’s protégé, NEeMA and the video for her lead single “Escape” were selected for this week’s installment of MTVu’s The Freshman. Visit the official site to cast your vote for NEeMA now!
The Montreal-based songstress recently announced the US release date of March 1, 2011 for her radiant sophomore album ‘WATCHING YOU THINK’. Produced by NEeMA herself in association with Leonard Cohen and Pierre Marchard (Sarah McLachlan, Ron Sexsmith), the US version will boast 13 tracks including the lead single “Escape”, a haunting re-imagining of the Dire Straits classic “Romeo and Juliet”, and a new version of her deeply moving musical prayer, “Masi 2011”. NEeMA’s extensive background translates seamlessly into a rich storytelling style, as showcased throughout WATCHING YOU THINK and is further complemented by world-class musicians including Tim Kingsbury (of Arcade Fire fame) and Tom Mennier (Martha and Rufus Wainwright).
In support of the album’s US rollout, NEeMA will embark on a series of select tour dates across the US including a performance at the National Folk Alliance on February 17th, a stint at the annual SXSW Festival on March 17th, and an official release party at the New York hot spot Joe’s Pub on March 30th.
Born of Egyptian and Lebanese descent, NEeMA’s presence on and off stage is as powerful and charismatic, as her voice is honest and distinct. She has traveled extensively, having shared time with the Dalai Lama and Mother Teresa, having worked with street children in Egypt, as well as having had the privilege of working with the Tribal Elders of Wekweti, an isolated First Nation community in northern Canada. No doubt these experiences helped her develop the ability to communicate her stories through poetry and song, focusing on those themes that are dear to the human heart.