Stockholm -- Moody and dark, melancholy but hopeful, sad but not defeated: Iraqi-born Swedish singer-songwriter Ninos Dankha's music sounds like it was tailor-made to suit the Finnish winter blues. No surprise then, that Dankha, under the moniker Prince of Assyria, has quickly emerged as a new favourite among savvy music lovers here. Dankha's debut album Missing Note has gained him plenty of attention throughout Europe and his first full-blown concert in Helsinki was sold out long in advance.

Historically deprived of blue-bloods of their own, Finns seem to have a particular affinity for this fictional prince of a landless nation. Born in Baghdad, Dankha and his family moved to Sweden when he was less than a year old. Traces of his Assyrian cultural background can still be heard in the lyrics, which deal with personal stories and growing up as an immigrant.

In musical terms Dankha's influences lie firmly in folk pop and indie-rock. His sound has drawn comparisons to Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen or New York's The National, not least for his gruff, emotional vocals and sparse arrangements. Especially in a room full of devout Finnish fans Prince of Assyria's performance promises to be an exceptionally atmospheric and darkly beautiful winter's evening.

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