Musician — Washington D.C.
Name, where are you from?
Eden Girma – born in Washington D.C., mostly raised in Madison, WI.
What do you do?
A mix of musical/artistic work and astrophysics-related research.
Describe your style in three words?
Contemplative, curious, compassionate.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
The EP release party of The Vernon Spring, a gorgeous solo project recently launched by musician Sam Beste. I’m just in awe of how transcendent it was, the deep attentiveness and intimacy held between everyone in the room. It carried such power that obviously I still think about and feel to this day.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
George Lewis, who is a living legend and literal vanguard in relation to improvised, experimental, and interactive/generative computer music – and aside from him, I would say Moses Sumney, who I think is breaking such remarkable new ground both in the realms of music composition and performance.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
To name a few: Afrofuturism, drag, RPGs, anime, Africana philosophy, cyberpunk, crypto-anarchy, Fluxus, the Hainish Cycle, animism. I’m drawn to what challenges binaristic frameworks, and is imaginative and regenerative. Also, that which champions self-autonomy/determination alongside collective empowerment.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history, who would it be?
I’d say Jesus, if Jesus is considered a historical figure – but if not, then I’m not exactly sure, other than it would be someone from my family.
What is your favourite independent venue?
I have to say the NX Records shop (in New Cross) holds a very dear place in my heart. I also really love any sort of house party/home space converted into artistic performance space.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
A friend and I discussed recently, just how much beautiful music and art is moving through this world. People from all over devote such precious time and energy to keep currents of culture, community, their own expression alive – so if anything, the most unsung are those who do this work without any particular platforms to fame or access to resources. They are the ones who, by shaping and nurturing their own environments, invariably shape our society as a whole – despite a near total neglect, disenfranchisement, or censorship by governmental or capitalist structures.
The first track you played on repeat?
'Pump it' by the Black Eyed Peas‼
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now' by The Smiths captures a lot of both my teenage memories and my teenage angst.
One record you would keep forever?
'Young, Gifted, and Black' by Aretha Franklin.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"We're only particles of change I know, I know
Orbiting around the sun
But how can I have that point of view
When I'm always bound and tied to someone
White flags of winter chimneys
Waving truce against the moon
In the mirrors of a modern bank
From the window of a hotel room"
From 'Hejira' by Joni Mitchell.
A song you wished you had written?
There are too many...currently torn between Alexander Borodin’s 'In the Steppes of Central Asia' and Esperanza Spalding’s 'Dancing the Animal'.
Best song to turn up loud?
'This Side' by EARTHGANG – specifically their COLORS show!
A song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
'Conoce Tu Creador' by Turbo Sonidero. (Shouts to Gonzo for putting me on to it!)
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Douha (Mali Mali)' by Disclosure and Fatoumata Diawara‼‼‼
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Part B' by Karen Gwyer, if what I’m looking for is a proper cleanse.
Best love song of all time?
What an impossible question. I can only say that when I think of love, I often go to 'White Ferrari' by Frank Ocean.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
I’ve been flipping out over this recent re-issue of the album 'Sons of Ethiopia' by Admas, an Ethiopian-American band from the 1980s. (See: 'Anchi Bale Game'). J’von also just released a new album that is incredible, called THUNDERBOY.
Name, where are you from?
Eden Girma – born in Washington D.C., mostly raised in Madison, WI.
What do you do?
A mix of musical/artistic work and astrophysics-related research.
Describe your style in three words?
Contemplative, curious, compassionate.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
The EP release party of The Vernon Spring, a gorgeous solo project recently launched by musician Sam Beste. I’m just in awe of how transcendent it was, the deep attentiveness and intimacy held between everyone in the room. It carried such power that obviously I still think about and feel to this day.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
George Lewis, who is a living legend and literal vanguard in relation to improvised, experimental, and interactive/generative computer music – and aside from him, I would say Moses Sumney, who I think is breaking such remarkable new ground both in the realms of music composition and performance.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
To name a few: Afrofuturism, drag, RPGs, anime, Africana philosophy, cyberpunk, crypto-anarchy, Fluxus, the Hainish Cycle, animism. I’m drawn to what challenges binaristic frameworks, and is imaginative and regenerative. Also, that which champions self-autonomy/determination alongside collective empowerment.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history, who would it be?
I’d say Jesus, if Jesus is considered a historical figure – but if not, then I’m not exactly sure, other than it would be someone from my family.
What is your favourite independent venue?
I have to say the NX Records shop (in New Cross) holds a very dear place in my heart. I also really love any sort of house party/home space converted into artistic performance space.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
A friend and I discussed recently, just how much beautiful music and art is moving through this world. People from all over devote such precious time and energy to keep currents of culture, community, their own expression alive – so if anything, the most unsung are those who do this work without any particular platforms to fame or access to resources. They are the ones who, by shaping and nurturing their own environments, invariably shape our society as a whole – despite a near total neglect, disenfranchisement, or censorship by governmental or capitalist structures.
The first track you played on repeat?
'Pump it' by the Black Eyed Peas‼
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now' by The Smiths captures a lot of both my teenage memories and my teenage angst.
One record you would keep forever?
'Young, Gifted, and Black' by Aretha Franklin.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"We're only particles of change I know, I know
Orbiting around the sun
But how can I have that point of view
When I'm always bound and tied to someone
White flags of winter chimneys
Waving truce against the moon
In the mirrors of a modern bank
From the window of a hotel room"
From 'Hejira' by Joni Mitchell.
A song you wished you had written?
There are too many...currently torn between Alexander Borodin’s 'In the Steppes of Central Asia' and Esperanza Spalding’s 'Dancing the Animal'.
Best song to turn up loud?
'This Side' by EARTHGANG – specifically their COLORS show!
A song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
'Conoce Tu Creador' by Turbo Sonidero. (Shouts to Gonzo for putting me on to it!)
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Douha (Mali Mali)' by Disclosure and Fatoumata Diawara‼‼‼
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Part B' by Karen Gwyer, if what I’m looking for is a proper cleanse.
Best love song of all time?
What an impossible question. I can only say that when I think of love, I often go to 'White Ferrari' by Frank Ocean.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
I’ve been flipping out over this recent re-issue of the album 'Sons of Ethiopia' by Admas, an Ethiopian-American band from the 1980s. (See: 'Anchi Bale Game'). J’von also just released a new album that is incredible, called THUNDERBOY.