The Swedish singer Zhala has just released her long-awaited, self-titled debut album, bathing half of Stockholm in glitter and rose-water at its launch party with Grolsch Studios. The first darling of Robyn’s record label mixes cosmic pop with modern electro tribalism – and everyone is invited along for a trip into her spiritual landscape.
You conquered the music world with your track Holy Bubbles. What does “holy” mean for you?
“Many personal things are holy for me – material things I’ve owned, gifts I’ve gotten, words and thoughts someone’s shared with me. Although I don’t believe in God or any particular religion, I am religious in the way I am, because of my upbringing. Some people like to read self-help books; I prefer to consume spiritualism and travel inwards.”
You often use Kurdish political symbols, such as the flag, in your performances. How is your spirituality influenced by your Kurdish roots?
“I reflect my emotions in my music and in my visual expression. You can find God, smells, flags, spiritual life, realism, Kurdistan, the good girl and the whore there. Especially being ‘immigrant Swedish’, it’s almost natural I’m becoming politicised. Everything that stands out itches somebody else’s butt!”
On the other hand, is Sweden spiritual for you in some way?
“I guess we are not the most spiritual country. I often feel like Swedish people are scared of spiritualism, like you are too out-there or stuck in an acid trip, unless you stick to only Yoga and incense. I think all levels of spiritualism is nice. In other parts of the world, mental illness such as schizophrenia is described as a spiritual awakening. I think that’s a good alternative.”
Would you say you embarked on a long trip with your first album?
“I worked nonstop for a year. My focus was to show myself just as I am – dorky, stressed, scared, confident, Kurdish, Swedish, human being, citizen of the world, universe, force, power, etc. That’s a classic pop album for me – exploring different sides of oneself. I want to encapsulate my views, feelings, life, experience and restlessness in it.”
Both the video to Slippin’ Around and your release party were done in collaboration with the artist Makode Linde. How do you two connect and find a coherent vision?
“We’ve been collaborating for few years and we complement each other very well. Neither of us sets boundaries in our expression. I want to keep openness and ambiguity in my videos. That’s why Slippin’ Around can feel very modern, but at the same time even religious or tribal. Makode had a total freedom to direct it and as a fountain of ideas he is, it turns out, bursting with creativity. He is incredibly good at translating my music into visuals, also because he makes music himself and he is a real genius.”
The release party by Grolsch Studios was indeed a magical and ambiguous evening. Do you think a perfect party can be a spiritual experience?
“I really believe so. It’s a party when everybody can be exactly as they are, right here and right now. In spiritualism you can reach extreme openness and it’s the same with the best parties, when you feel totally free. I hope we made everybody feel like that last Friday – it was the most intimate mega party in Zhala’s world!”
Zhala – Holy Bubbles (Make Make Remake Remake Remix)
Credits:
Words by Weronika Pérez Borjas
Photography by Felix Swensson
Styling by Fiffi Jenkins
Make-up by Josefina Zarmén
Hair by Karolina Danielson
Zhala is out now on Konichiwa Records
For more info, please visit Grolsch Studios.
Fashion Credits:
1. Kimono by Minimarket, top by Weekday, skirt – Zhala’s own
2. Jacket – talent’s own, top by Weekday, skirt by Monki
3. Vest by This Is Sweden, kimono by Minimarket
4. Shirt – talent’s own