Catalan musician Marina Herlop’s fourth album Nekkuja starts with a bang. On its opening track “Busa,” deep synths pierce through a bouquet of harp strings, choral arrangements and giggling voices. “I always want to include this surprise factor,” she says. “It’s like when you go on a trip, you always need something unexpected to happen, you need to go on a little adventure.” When speaking of the record, Marina often invokes metaphors, comparing the process of making music to architecture, gardening or even playing video games. While her melodies are mysterious and playful, combining elements of devotional and folk music with contemporary electronics, her lyrics are nonsensical, a deliberate choice to allow for the music to speak for itself (Nekkuja is a word she made up). “I don't want to talk about my life, I want to make music that feels aesthetically interesting,” she says. The artist, who counts Björk among her fans, is nonchalant about her recent success. “I know that this has come and this might go at some point, because people might get tired of it or because there's another project that feels hotter at the moment. But the effort I’ve put into music, that growth, never goes away.” We spoke to Marina Herlop about the spiritual nature of creating art, music as a refuge, and trusting her instincts. Read more.
Drowning In Black Gold: Read Our Interview Of Evita Manji →
shirt: Sportmax
top: Matoguo
glasses: Gentle Monster
necklace: Chanel via Vestiaire Collective
interview by Caroline Whiteley
photography by Matias Alfonzo
art direction and styling by Camille Pailler
set design by Matt Bianchi
casting by Alter Casting
hair by Tina Pachta
makeup by Nikolas Paroutis
nails by Camilla Inge
Evita Manji is an Athens-based artist and vocalist who implements their carefully constructed practice of sound design into live shows and productions. In addition to founding the independent music label, myxoxym, they have collaborated with numerous artists across various media. Their most recent release is a compilation of international artists with all proceeds going to ANIMA, a non-profit association active in the field of ecology, with its main activity being the nursing and rehabilitation of wild animals in their natural environment. One of their recent singles, OIL/TOO MUCH addresses the toxic effects of crude oil extraction on the planet and its inhabitants as well as the exploitation of its laborers. A process akin to drowning and being burned alive simultaneously. Read more.