I started spinning house and R&B. I was taught how to DJ from house producers, so it was mostly house music in the beginning. But then sometimes people can get a little tired of hearing the same four-four beats all the time, so if you throw a little R&B in there as well, it gives people a little breather. That's the way I was DJing then when I learned how to spin. That was my introduction to house music in general, which was eye opening for sure.
The clashes of people and the clashes of cultures have assisted me in learning the openness you have to be a part of in New York. You're always meeting people who are different than you. You always have to find a way to exist in it and also find a way to be yourself. In Stockholm, I thought I was artsy, then I came to New York and was like, "there's a bunch of artsy people everywhere!" It really forced me to start looking myself and ask. "what does it mean to be me?"
I actually started meditating more when I moved to New York, which has helped me a lot. The energy is so much more magnified and intense here. In Sweden, there are forests and lakes nearby and you can chill. But here, I had to actively meditate to stay sane.
I have all my tricks to unplugging. Sometimes I just close my eyes and I breathe a couple of times, even if I'm in the middle of a conversation. It centers me. Dancing also helps me to unplug, so does writing music. I really enjoy going to Central Park and Upstate New York, when I really want to unplug from the city. Going to the library is great, too. There's just a nice equality about libraries, there's everyone from kids to senior citizens to students, it's a nice environment. I grab whatever book I feel attracted to and then I just sit there and read it for a little while.
In New York, there's so much stuff going on all the time, and when I first moved here my productivity went down. I felt like I had certain social obligations. I found the more that I was like, "Don't listen to other music," or "Don't watch other things," and, "Don't go to other shows," for a specific time period, if I really need to complete something, that is the most helpful tool for me.
I think it's important for us to allow ourselves to be in creative bubble when you really need to finish something. You can always re enter the world after, once you feel like you're done with it.
I feel kind of like a kid absorbing everything. I just like seeing people who are doing their thing, whether it's music, or a movement they're creating, or coming up with new technology. I really like seeing that there's new stuff happening. I find that the most inspiring thing.
I am super inspired by the Grand Canyon. Looking at nature and observing what it does even looking at a little seed, is impressive. I have a couple of plants at home and you see how they grow ... it's just like, "Whoa!" I'm really inspired by the newness of humans and nature, I think it's really cool.
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