Mira Aawd, the first Israeli Arab to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest, gave a London concert at JW3 this week.

"My multicultural background really influences my music," she says. “Languages are fascinating to me in music. I write in Arabic, English and Hebrew. When you are multilingual and you come to write a song , you choose the language with the audience in mind.”

Although from a musical family, her parents did not at first celebrate her career choice. "They didn’t think it was the best way for me to make money or live. They were very hesitant of me perusing music professionally.They thought it would get frustrating and I would struggle to make it. Now that I have succeeded they can relax a bit.”

Awad, whose Eurovision entry was in 2009, hopes her music and background challenges listeners to think outside the “confines of religion or nationality. I want to teach people there are bigger things out there. People are so interested in me being Arab Israeli but I want to say you can be all of this and more. I think the human race should step back and realise these borders and religious parameters were set by us.We act bound to them and I think it is a pity. "

Awad describes her music as "serious and I’m fun so it is a fusion”.

Although JW3 is her only London gig, she will be writing some new songs while here. "I’ve been to London a few times. I think I’m the only person who loves it here when it rains. It gives me space to think ."