The soul of travel

PACK EASY & soul singer Alina Amuri

We've just had a lovely yet unexpected visitor:
Mik - the brand ambassador and storyteller of our new partner PACK EASY, who we recently introduced to you - fluttered into our editorial office all excited because she had great news from Switzerland in her luggage.


Because recently
PACK EASY has added the up-and-coming Swiss soul singer Alina Amuri to its ever-growing customer portfolio! Mik and the whole PACK EASY team are very much looking forward to working together and will support Amuri professionally and stylishly in all matters relating to travel.


For her new album "Chasing Traces"
(release date: May 18, 2018), she went in search of herself and her roots. She found new perspectives and a new sound. The album shows her wonderful musical development with a mixture of different genres and awakens the listener's desire to discover.


As a prelude to the partnership
the Zurich-based soul singer with Congolese roots spoke to Mik in an in-depth interview about her music and traveling, which we naturally don't want to withhold from you.


Mik: Congratulations on the release of your second album "Chasing Traces", which you presented live to the public for the first time on June 8 in Zurich. "Chasing Traces" is the document of a journey. Tell us the story behind the album.


Alina Amuri: The album is an excerpt from my career. It reflects the journey of my life and shows where I am at the moment. It is a privilege to be able to express myself in this art and to receive support from so many different people. For the album, I was able to count on the support of the Hamburg-based production team AmberYard. My trip to the African desert to visit the nomads taught me a lot about myself and I returned home full of inspiration.


What has surprised you the most on your travels? Are there any experiences that have had a particular impact on you?


A.A: I love traveling and consider it an incredible privilege to be able to travel. I enjoy being on location, immersing myself in cultures, getting to know new people and hearing all kinds of different stories. Of course, I had super exciting experiences in the African desert. I didn't know what to expect, so I let everything happen to me and was open-minded. I received such a warm welcome and was able to gain great experiences both musically and personally. Jamming with the nomads in the desert was of course unique, I will never forget it. In the desert, they came with a small amplifier and we made music together. Experiences like that inspire me a lot and make me want to keep traveling and discovering new things.


You've just been to Guyana for a video shoot. What does it mean to you to travel and explore the world?


A.A: Replacing fear with curiosity. That's something I generally try to do in my life. When traveling, fear plays a role, for example, in fear of flying or fear while traveling in general. I try to replace such thoughts with curiosity and then you learn how much that gives you. When I travel, I am impressed by so many things, be it colors or nature, but also people and experiences. It gives you so much and you get something back that you don't expect. You come back with memories that you would never be able to experience without traveling. It gives me a kick, a positive push to keep going.


What should never be missing in your suitcase?


A.A: Water! I'm always happy to have some refreshment. When I'm out and about, I need that refreshing kick and it wakes me up. Of course, I also have a lucky charm that has been with me since I was little. It's with me everywhere as my life companion.


What do you count on with PACK EASY? How can you identify with PACK EASY?


A.A.: For me, quality is more important than quantity. I attach great importance to good quality, also in my music. PACK EASY is a Swiss quality brand with an international focus. Just like me. My new album is all about traveling, even if it's an inner journey. And what is always part of traveling...luggage, of course! Besides, PACK EASY is simply a likeable brand. I can also identify with the fact that PACK EASY is fully on board with a good idea for spontaneous "actions". I'm really pleased and grateful that we've managed to set up such a great collaboration in such a short space of time. Uncomplicated and simple - a great team. The cool opportunities usually come unexpectedly and spontaneously. And you have to seize them. PACK EASY is open, just like me and my team.


Why do you think working with PACK EASY is interesting?


A.A.: I am a woman...I love bags. And I travel a lot. I value sustainability and good quality. Besides being very beautiful, the handbags are produced entirely in Switzerland. I like that. I think we are both growing and can inspire each other.


What kind of travel do you particularly like? And what is important to you when you are traveling in other countries?


A.A: I am open to everything. I don't need much when I'm traveling and I'm happy to have little luggage. Simple, practical suitcases are perfect for me. But I'm always drawn to the sea. The seawater is simply good for me: for my skin, for my soul. But I'm also fascinated by big cities like New York. Big cities can be extremely uplifting and inspiring. There are so many impressions that you have to process and that also show you new paths.


What is your favorite destination? Where are you always drawn to and why?


A.A: I naturally have a deep connection with Africa. There's something mystical about it that always touches me when I'm there. I've been able to experience so many great things there. But I'm also always drawn to big cities like New York. There's something magical about it and the many great musicians there are certainly another thing that attracts me. I really took this country to my heart during the video shoot in Guyana. I didn't know what to expect and had such a great time. The team was great, we laughed all the time and got on really well.


To draw the bow to the music: The song "On My Way" is about your roots. You were born in the Congo. To what extent does your origin, but also your current home, Switzerland, influence your music?


A.A: I have a deep connection to the place where I was born. Of course, I was very small when I came to Europe and I grew up here. But it's just nice to know where you come from. Nevertheless, I always want to experience and learn more. I got the rhythms and choirs from the Congo that influence me musically. They play the guitar there in a very unique way. I have tried to translate this into classic, modern soul and add electronic instruments and other genres such as rock.


When and how did you discover music for yourself?


A.A: I've always been a little whirlwind who danced a lot. Music has been with me my whole life. But I always wanted to be a doctor, until I realized that blood wasn't really my thing. Then I wanted to become an architect. I was fascinated by giving other people a new home and creating buildings with meaning for people. But I was already in the children's choir at a young age. So the music was always there and helped me, including in my teenage years. I then started with background vocals and later I wrote my own songs. So it was more of a process until I became a musician. But now it's the best thing I could wish for.


Where do you get inspiration for your songs? Does traveling play a role?


A.A: Anything can inspire you! Sometimes I sit on the streetcar and look out of the window and discover something that inspires me. It's a part of me. Of course, traveling plays an important role in the search for inspiration. But I can actually be inspired quickly and by quite a lot.


Do you listen to a lot of music when you're on the road? And do you also listen to your own songs?


A.A: During studio time, I'm around my songs all the time. It's good to put them down, listen to other music or just enjoy the peace and quiet and listen to nature. But I'm really into my songs while I'm recording the album. And at the moment it's great to work with my team on the live versions of the songs: which songs do I perform on stage and how? How can I adapt one or two songs for the live performance? But it's also good to put everything aside.


Do you have a favorite song on your new album?


A.A: I really like the message of the song "Pioneers": "We'll replace fear of the unknown with curiosity and move our feet to another rhythm". Replacing fear with curiosity. I really like the feel of "Free" and I also really like the groove in "Outro".


How do you describe yourself - who is Alina?


A.A: Alina is a funny person and a wonderful singer. I want to show myself musically. My songs are a part of me and I think it's wonderful how music can be used as a universal language. Bridges can be built and people can be touched. If I can touch people in some way with my music or they can recognize or identify with my songs in some way, then that means a lot to me.


What dreams or goals do you have for the future?


A.A: I try to live in the moment. But that's so easy to say. Sometimes I'm doing well, sometimes not so well. But for the future, of course, I'm looking forward to my tour and the tours that are still to come. I already have a lot of new ideas that I'm looking forward to implementing. I'm grateful to be able to make music and I'm looking forward to everything that comes with it.


Last spontaneous question: How or with what can you be positively surprised?


A.A: I really appreciate it when people are attentive and listen to me. When I tell someone when my flight is arriving and that person then stands at the airport to pick me up as a surprise, I'm really happy. It doesn't need anything big, small gestures that show that people have listened are what make me happy.


More info:
www.packeasy.ch& www.alinaamuri.com

More soul:
www.alinaamuri.lnk.to/ChasingTraces