WEEKEND MUSIC PT. 9: LOUISAHHH

Louisahhh is not only a DJ and producer – she is a feminist punk activist who fights for her message of sexual liberation, bodily autonomy and lives the DIY spirit par excellence. Like herself, her sound is characterized by punk and rock influences. In short, her punk poetry with a techno look makes Luisahhh a border crosser between techno, industrial, punk and rock. So it was only natural that she would team up with Paris-based brand, Alyx, to launch a t-shirt in conjunction with her EP release with all of the proceeds going to The Okra Project. We talked to Luisahhh about her musical influences, the collab and the Okra Project.

Let’s talk a bit about music first, shall we? What fascinates you about music?

I’m not sure if it’s fascinating to me or just the reality in which I exist but music has really taught me now to be: how to be in the world, in my body, in relationship.  All of these things are deeply informed by music.  I’m not sure if I could survive without it, it’s something of a teacher and a life force and a catalyst and a bridge between inside and outside.

What are you listening to the most at the moment?

I am the latest to the part, haha, but have been obsessively listening to Billie Eilish these last few weeks (after watching the documentary about the making of her first record, which made me cry on a train).  Also, Halsey’s new record is really awesome.  Both of these people are incredibly strong writers and they use their voices in powerful, subtle, novel ways.  I’m learning a lot from the vocal writing of both of these artists and feeling really inspired.

Tell me a little bit about your personal playlist, what are you listening to and what is special about it?

I feel like all of these tracks have a feeling attached, they carry a strong universe either emotionally (David Bowie’s ‘Afraid’, for example), or physically (the Manni Dee ‘Betamax Interlude’).  I tried to make a trip between contemporary and earlier tracks, lyrical and instrumental, pop and dance music, stuff that I am really feeling right now.  I hope it accompanies listeners on some good adventures, evenif it’s just inside themselves.

How would you define your unique music style?

‘Post-Alternative Industrial Pop’: techno music for punks, punk music for ravers.

Next: You collaborated with Alyx on s special collection of T-Shirts. Congrats on that! How did the collaboration with Alyx come about? Are you a fan of the brand yourself?

I am a massive fan of Matthew Williams and Alyx.  I find the brand’s aesthetic universe and references deeply compelling and cohesive with my own.  Since playing Alyx’s first Paris Fashion Week party in 2016, they’ve been super generous and supportive of my work and really dear to me on a personal level.  To be able to do this collaboration means a lot.

Next: You collaborated with Alyx on s special collection of T-Shirts. Congrats on that! How did the collaboration with Alyx come about? Are you a fan of the brand yourself?

I am a massive fan of Matthew Williams and Alyx.  I find the brand’s aesthetic universe and references deeply compelling and cohesive with my own.  Since playing Alyx’s first Paris Fashion Week party in 2016, they’ve been super generous and supportive of my work and really dear to me on a personal level.  To be able to do this collaboration means a lot.

The collaboration is titled „LOVE/CHAOS / THE PRACTICE OF FREEDOM“. What does Freedom in particular mean to you?

One of the earlier Alyx collections was called ‘Love/Chaos’, and the lyrics to the first single on my album ‘The Practice of Freedom’ are ‘instrument of: love/chaos/love’, so the connection was strong to begin with.

 

The album’s title is borrowed from bell hooks’ magnificent work ‘Teaching Transgression: Education as the Practice of Freedom’.  This meaning of freedom, for me, keeps evolving.  As a person in recovery from addiction, I am obsessed with freedom as the opposite to the bondage of self; as a self-described ‘féministe submissive,’ the idea of power exchange and notions of toying with freedom as a perverse delight are fascinating.  As a society, we are surviving(?) late stage capitalism, the concept of freedom, or lack there of (especially as an American), can be heavy and complicated.  I guess for me what’s important is trying to use the privilege of my freedom to help others to get free, to continue to wade into the deeper waters of what’s emotionally authentic, creatively possible, of service to my fellows.

All the profits will be donated to the association The Okra Project, a collective that seeks to address the global crisis faced by Black Trans people. Was it hard to choose and how did you decide on The Okra Project eventually?

The Okra project has been doing work that feels directly meaningful to a community that has been affected by the ongoing, ever-present social inequalities of trans-phobia and racism.  I grew up in NYC and Matt has roots there, so it felt good to give to an organization that helps serve a city that’s so important to both of us.  We hope that our contribution is helpful.

Is there anybody else you would love to collaborate in the future, in terms of fashion and music?

This is actually a very difficult question! Musically, Nine Inch Nails have been my dream collab since I was a pre-teen.  Fashion-wise, I am really inspired by the late Alexander McQueen, whose notion of savage beauty feels very close to the kind of universe I want my work to inhabit.

ZALANDO X ASPESI: CINEMA CLUB

TOMMY HILFIGER RETURNS TO NEW YORK

A love letter to New York: Tommy Hilfiger returned to New York Fashion Week and speaks to…

Interview by Sina Braetz

COLORFUL DREAMS: IN CONVERSATION WITH GERRIT JACOB

Berlin Fashion Week Highlight: Gerrit Jacob