Enfnts Terribles

Growing up, music served as a sanctuary for you. What space does it provide for you now?

I would say that it’s still mainly therapeutic because now I feel like I need peace even more than I did when I was a teenager. Especially now, during this period after COVID, all you hear about is war and the conflict between different countries. It touches so deeply on a subconscious level. You might not even understand it, but you end up with neurosis at the end of the day. I think that music is like a hand cream for your soul. It kind of soothes you for at least several hours, you know?

You have been based in Berlin for two years now and are really involved in the music scene there. What advice would you give other creatives who are looking to connect meaningfully with their local scene or want to start one of their own?

I think today, it’s all of our social media anyway. It doesn’t really matter where you are. If you’re trying to look at it from a networking point of view, it matters where you are. Because meeting different people, seeing these people live and communicating with them, it’s a different kind of experience. But growing your fan base—being discovered by someone—it’s all about social media.

How would you say that your artistic journey has changed or evolved since you moved to Berlin?

I moved to Berlin when it was still COVID. It was a very weird period of time to move anywhere. It was a good step for my musical résumé, I would say, because I have played at very iconic places like Loophole, Sameheads, Else club … It was quite an experience. I met a lot of people.

How much do you think about genre when creating music? Do you consider it a barrier?

I wouldn’t say so because every song has its own very specific shape. My whole process depends on the gear I’m using, the plug-ins, the mood … It depends on so many factors that I can’t frame myself into something because otherwise, it will be so hard to make it happen. I was writing the other day, and it sounds like a ballad. And I was thinking, it doesn’t sound like me, but why should it not sound like me? It sounds like this particular moment. It sounds like this particular emotion—that might never be repeated in my life ever again. So why should I try to frame it into something like, “No, I should do it this way because this is more my sound,” you know?

You have been involved in political activism in Tbilisi in the past, and use music to raise awareness and spark social change. What do you find to be particularly effective?

Last month, I was able to give a speech at this pop culture festival in Berlin. And we were talking about how one single artist can influence and who they can influence. Some people were so skeptical, but I believe that if you can change one person’s opinion, it’s already such a big, powerful move. If I can change one person’s mind, I can change a million people’s minds… I believe that people are mostly prone to kindness. So if you propose something kind that has a good ending, everybody loves happy ends, especially when it comes to real life. So why not talk about it? Why not explain to some people that aggression is not the way?

For me, it’s more comfortable to talk about it through music. I try to conceptually connect it to politics, and this is the way I’m trying to display it. Maybe ten years ago, I would have said I’m not interested in politics, but today, it’s impossible. If somebody’s asking you, “Are you interested in politics? What do you think about Russia and Ukraine?” If you say you’re not interested, it means you’re pro-Russia. If you don’t vote, your vote goes to shit, you know? I’m always trying to take into consideration the political background, the historical background—it’s very important. In Georgia, you cannot not be political—it’s impossible.

Which Georgian artists should we have on our radar right now?

Oh, so many. There’s a really good artist called aghnie. We’re working on a song right now, and he is phenomenal. What I like about him is that he can experiment. Some people just have this attitude; they can take something everybody hates, and they can create some magic out of it. Also, there is a producer called Punk Attack. He’s building a really beautiful fan base. He’s also really experimental. He makes mind-blowing remixes. There’s a girl called DEENA. She’s really young. I love her Trappy sound, but it’s also very melodic and very airy. The list goes on and on and on. A never-ending list because, in Georgia, there are so many good musicians who make quality music.

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Interview by Aimee Philips

Photography and creative direction by Atu Gelovani
Styling by Nutsa Khurtsilava
Hair and makeup by Rafa Delgado
Production by Nutsa Khurtsilava

Styling credits header – Kater from Isla Berlin shirt. Isla Berlin leg warmers. Rebirth Studios skirt. Ángel Alarcón shoes.