"… a prayer heard and answered …"
Salut camarades,
Earlier this year, my sister told me that she writes her newsletter “not so much to be read”, but because it helps her putting her “thoughts together”. I agreed. Yesterday, she confessed that, more than ever, she struggled “putting things together”. I agreed, again.
I feel ill-equipped for sudden outbursts of social media activism, even if (or maybe precisely because) I work around social justice issues most days of my life. Recently, I’ve found refuge, yet again, in newsletters and other channels of information that aren’t fueled by an algorithm. (For example, I’ve been diving into this great collection of zines which includes several perspectives on the colonisation of Palestine). Maybe this is partly why I’m still sending this off today, and although I couldn’t finish writing an essay in time.
Despite the awful news, difficult conversations and overwhelming emotions, I am inspired by new possibilities. This summer, Pop-Kultur Festival dropped its partnership with the state of Israel, after a 6 years campaign during which artists (including myself) voiced their concerns.
I do believe in strikes as a potential for social change and support today’s global strike for Palestine. If DJs are now willing to express solidarity - especially those who hold the most privilege, power and security! - I am hopeful that they might, someday, be willing to hear the prayers of millions affected by climate crises, too. This could lead to a radical and urgently needed re-shaping of our industry.
A final word again to my sister: this month’s missive is dedicated to you; you’re my deepest source of inspiration and I love you!
Coeur sur coeur, camarades !
Xx
Nono
Party
The Fictions party at Sameheads should still happen tomorrow! Please keep an eye out on our Telegram channel for last minute changes. We’re aiming to donate a majority of the proceeds from tomorrow’s party will go towards Medical Aid for Palestinians and Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
Our special guest Soa420 is currently on trains between the west of France and Berlin. I met her a few years ago when I played on her radio show and I’m so honored that she’ll join us behind the decks.
Born into a Franco-Malagasy musical family, Soa420 grew up surrounded by the sounds of Afrobeats, r'n'b and reggae. It's in keeping with her family heritage that she tackles the themes of Afro-descendant identity and the influence of minorities on electronic music. Cavernous bass, percussive breakbeat, languorous dancehall or dark trap: a crossover of genres reflecting her cultural plurality.
Originally from the Paris region, Soa420 has contributed to designing exhibitions in squats, and discovered dance music during a year's study in Berlin. Fascinated by the artistic and social direction of Berlin clubs, she then began working at the Macadam club as soon as she moved to Nantes in 2018. Her experience of Nantes nightlife led her to co-create Zone Rouge in 2019, a collective aiming to highlight female artists and minorities in electronic music culture, as well as the No Scrubs label with Aasana in 2022.
If you’ve come to our parties before, you’ll have bumped into Gonsher, a regular and close friend. Often busy coming up with headlines, folding zines or pushing the smoke machine button, he’s also an attentive listener and fantastic selector. Catch him for a too-rare appearance in the booth!
Radio
Last week, I recorded a Fictions “at the afters”: one for the early hours. I read Mary Oliver’s morning poem: “each pond with its blazing lilies / is a prayer heard and answered / lavishly, / every morning”. Until I upload the recording, here is some archive. I’ll be back at Cashmere HQ on Nov 9th and, as always, you’re invited.
Fictions #60 w/ Abd-El-Aziz & Nono Gigsta 14.09.2023 - In Morocco
Moroccan dubstep around deep chats on rhythms and spirituality
Fictions #59 w/ Minor Science, N.E.Girl, Nono Gigsta & Sarj - In The Basement
A sample of our last sweaty night in the basement
Fictions #58 w/ Nono Gigsta 27.04.2023 - On A Mountain
Slower vibrations and some poems
Archive
Reflections on the Moroccan earthquake, the agency of places and the “case against travel”
On my last weeks in Morocco, hosting workshops and reflecting on disappearing nomads
About the colonial gaze, heatwaves and reconsidering “the limits of one’s own capacity to perceive and understand the world”.
Next gigs
09.11 - Fictions show b2b w/ Jan Loup, Cashmere Radio, Berlin, DE
11.11 - Accidental Meetings b2b w/ k means, Venue MOT, London, UK
02.12 - All Night Long at Cobalt Studios, Newcastle, UK
05.12 - Panel at Forum culture durable, Charleroi, BE
07.12 - Panel at Transmusicales, Rennes, FR
08.12 - FICTIONS PARTY, Le Chinois, Paris, FR :)
29.12 - DJ set at Tresor, Berlin, DE
02.02 - TBA, Köln, DE
02.03 - TBC, Nantes, FR
05.03 - TBA, Toulouse, FR