aden

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.