• photography Julia Sixtensson

    Dr. Martens x Venus Rami "Archive Sandals" Collection

    Written by Fashion Tales

    Odalisque sat down and talked with Venus Rami about her music and Dr Martens. With Iranian heritage, spent her early years on the Swedish west coast, listening to Googoosh and Timbaland and later on she immersed in Stockholm's vibrant underground and queer scene where every sonic encounter sculpted her artistic vision. Venus's sound is a vibrant tapestry of influences. Drawing from contemporary R&B, ingenious pop production, and the emotional depth of 2000s indie, her music resonates with a unique blend of nostalgia and innovation. All can be heard as subtle traces in the music she now creates as Venus Anon. In April 2023, Venus released 'Nocturnal' – a seven-track mixtape that truly set the tone for her magical sound world. The release was followed by performances at festivals around the Nordic region, including Way Out West in Gothenburg and By:Larm in Oslo - as well as a sold-out headline show in London. 'Nocturnal' was praised by several critics, including one of today's most prominent music journalists, Anthony Fantano (The Needle Drop). In the spring of 2024, Venus was also nominated for a Grammis award in the Soul/RnB category. In 2024, Venus Anon returns with a new EP.

    What inspired you to become a musician?
    Music! Listening to music has always felt like transcending reality. Hearing my dad sing in the shower, never shutting up myself, I don’t know—at this point, I just feel like I would die without it.

    Is there a specific genre that you take after?
    I've grown up with R&B, Grunge, Hip hop, and Persian music. I think the mix is kind of detectable, whether I want it to be or not.

    How do you like the Swedish music scene?
    I think it’s amazing and that the underground/alternative scene is severely underrated. The impact that it's had on the more commercial side is truly palpable, with good reason.

    Is there anything you think is missing and could be improved?
    I think that it would be great if there was a bit more diversity in the people being booked/awarded… some of the most talented artists in Stockholm have a hard time getting exposure because of this.

    What are your plans for the future?
    To keep making music that resonates with me. To give back to my community someday.

    Can you tell us about your creativity process and how you approach starting a new piece?
    I get very inspired by other forms of art or bodies of music. I read a book and get obsessed with the type of narration it uses, watch a movie that changes my life, or find the first stuff an artist ever released and indulge. I like the early stuff people do a lot; it’s usually very raw and eclectic and less worried about how it will be received.

    Who would be your dream collaborator to make music with?
    I think Little Dragon, Oklou, and Tirzah. I also want to say Frank Ocean, but I think I would simply faint.

    What is your best memory of Dr. Martens?
    I remember buying my first Dr. Martens as a 13-year-old on Blocket, kind of like Swedish eBay. They were these platform ones, not the modern ones like the Jadon boots but like REAL heavy-duty boots. I loved them so much even though they looked nothing like the dainty ones that were trending in 2012 and felt so powerful stomping into school with them. Actually, I think one of my best memories, ironically, is when someone at school made a snarky comment about them. I remember feeling like my taste is truly something special, and that the people who get it, get it. In my arrogant teenage mind, it just consolidated my belief that I was somehow the main character— LOL.

    When thinking of the Dr. Martens “Archive Sandal” collection, is there any clothing fit you directly want to match the shoes with?
    With juxta-posed pieces! They are very structured and edgy; I would love a worn-out baby tee with a bikini under and a crochet skirt. Or like a long flowy skirt. Skirts in general. Big like with Dr. Martens!

    Links to Dr. Martens ”Archive Sandals” Collection with Venus Rami here! (Archive Fisherman Wrenlie Dark Brown) here! (Archive Laketen Mule Black)


     

  • photography Pierre Crosby

    Interview with Dream Pop Star Akira Galaxy

    Written by Yasmine M

    Let us introduce Akira Galaxy, a new star on the sky of indie pop. Having grown up in an artistically family, the singer draws inspiration from touchstones like Radiohead, Cocteau Twins and Fleetwood Mac. With a her rich alto vocals, it creates what she desribes as genre, dream pop. As Odalisque Magazine get's the opportunity to talk with the singer, she is prepering for her summer tour with Winnetka Bowling League with stops such as San Diego, New York, and Chicago.

    Can you share the story of how your journey in music began?
    Yeah! I went to an art centric grade school where I played half a dozen instruments  and when I was 10 I got my first guitar and wrote my first song. Then in high school  I started taking it seriously and playing with different groups around Seattle. I  remember at one point, jamming with some friends in a closet and recording  drums and guitar off my laptop speakers on Garageband. A week or so later, I got  an interface and recorded some distorted, reverbed out vox. I was continuously  writing and experimenting the years following and at 19 decided to move to LA to  get serious. But funny enough, it wasn't until I came back to Seattle that I really  discovered my sound and “What's Inside You” was written.

    When creating music, what specific emotions do you aim to evoke in your  audience?
    I’d like people to feel validation and one-ness in the innate desire for human  connection and the love and loss that coexists. I’d also hope that some people  could take parts of the music as creative fuel for something of their own.
    What are some of your primary inspirations when making music? Poetry, short stories, mythology, record stores, used musical instrument shops…

    What are your aspirations for the upcoming year? 
    Definitely working on a new album and touring overseas.

    Could you share three noteworthy or amusing facts about yourself?
    1. I’ve taken 60+ hrs of mime class for my stage performance. Intention in  performance is really important to me. Whether that’s in the way you  stand, look at the audience, move your hands.. It all makes a difference  and helps convey the intended message to the audience.
    2. Akira Galaxy is my legal first and middle name.
    3. I played a munchkin in 50+ performances of the Wizard of Oz play in  Seattle when I was 3 years old.

    Reflecting on the start of your career, how has the experience been so far? And what are some of the things you are most proud of?
    Man, it’s been extremely rewarding. Since the EP came out, I’ve gotten to play a  ton of shows and am now starting to play festivals. The bands gotten super tight  and comfortable through this which is something I'm proud of.

    Additionally, do you have any aspirations or advice for aspiring artists?
    Put in the hours. Sit down consistently and do the work. A quote that an old friend  once said to me and has always stuck with me, “the more you fish, the more likely  you are to reel in a good one.” the same goes for writing. You’re gonna write a lot  of throwaways and then you hit gold and sometimes the throwaways are gold but  you just weren't in the place to see the vision. Everyday you're a new kind of artist;  your voice may sound different, your emotional state may be different, etc.. work  with that current version of yourself. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. My best music comes when in a state of  childlike curiosity. Experiment. Let the song guide you and when you hit the gold,  stay there for as long as possible.

    What aspect of your artistic side do you wish to improve upon? 
    It’s hard to choose one thing, but I'd love to get to a place where I can fully  produce and mix my songs. Slowly but surely..

    Could you give us some insights about the making of your latest EP? How was the process of writing and producing it?
    Yes! I wrote the record in Seattle in my childhood bedroom. It was a perfect  combination of things–my first stack of poetry books, a reverend guitar I was lent, the time to reflect, and the limitation of virtual human connection. I also was  getting really experimental with some reverb pedals (specifically the oceans 11) at  the time which I think took a big part in shaping the feeling of the songs.
     

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