We talked with AYEN GL about her latest single “BITCH BITE” and her previous work on her “LIMITED VISION” EP: a self-exploration and a metamorphosis.

AYEN GL is a Berlin based performer, artist and singer who is exploring herself in deep by making music. Her message of research is strong in her EP "LIMITED VISION": it’s a mystical journey, a catharsis that pushes the listener into a loop.

AYEN GL tells us that music changed her in Berlin, but their relationship began when she was little inspired by the figure of her mother. Therefore, a female figure who introduces her to an experimentation that is female like music. And through music she reaches awareness and Ovid's metamorphosis begins. An artist who explores artistically and spiritually through performance. We also talked about Plush, a song that is a flow of thoughts, but also a rewarded search. Visions materialize to her before the music ends.

With AYEN GL we talked about music, therefore about art, in short about spirituality: and her music expresses the mystical relationship that she has with herself. She's mutating herself.

Who is AYEN GL? Tell us about your musical and artistic journey. How did you start and where does your passion for music come from?

To be honest, I think AYEN has just woken up. She’s very aware of what is going on but is still trying to figure out: is this really her body she’s in? Is this reality, or is she in a dream and her physical body is located somewhere else? - I began connecting with music through my mother. She used to sing in a church choir. I’ve also always been kind of drawn to the performative part of music and the translation of what moves you. I’ve done some small extras in an opera as a child, and I was so captivated by the garments, light, and atmosphere. It was always a dream to stage something very artificial one day.

Yours is a 360° project, so let's talk about music but also about art and protagonism. You are a complete artist, with a strong aesthetic sense: you entirely take care of the artistic direction of your works and your imprint is strong and recognisable. How would you define your aesthetic in a few words?

It’s the story of an alternative myth. A metamorphosis that creates a filthy little excitement.

I was pleasantly impressed by the visualiser of “Plush”, a strong but delicate song, accompanied by a visual that makes you feel uncomfortable but at the same time fascinates and keeps you glued. Do you want to tell us about it?

Thank you, I’m glad you like it. I mean, “Plush” is really about me coming back to my strengths and giving no shit. I was so annoyed by the douchebag esprit of people treating me like I’m a little plush kitten in a time where I didn’t know where to go. I mean, I get that you’re not sure of who I am, but take it as it is. It’s not always this or that; sometimes it’s exciting to have no name to call it and just thrive for a while. So we came up with the visuals to open up this voyeuristic view that doesn’t really let you see too much. You’re not quite sure where and what to watch. It’s like my body is dissolving. “I’m on stamina edging, can you handle that?”

“LIMITED VISION” is your latest EP, with a title song that I would dare to define as sci-fi, a vortex that takes the listener and transports him into a parallel world. Do you want to tell us your vision and how this song came to life until it was presented to an audience?

I had this one on my hard drive for quite a while. The vision that haunts me is to be able to look everything in the eye. I wanna take off my blinkers. I’m quite anxious, so it’s often really hard for me to figure out what is scaring me and to take the time to face that. “Limited Vision” is this blindfolded game where I’m in this submissive reverie. A run through a mystic hedge maze. Exploring and experiencing without looking away. It’s trust in uncertainty and desire on a cathartic trip. Especially uncertainty in a relationship. But I mean, nothing feels better than the satisfaction of excitement and looking for potential in a flickering light far away. I’m having fun with the fantasy of someone else fulfilling my own potential on this fun ride. Quite a pleasing imagination.

You have a strong artistic sense that is striking and that links very well with the music you make: you write and produce your songs by yourself. However, I imagine you have a crew that follows you and supports you in what you do. Can you tell us how your project took shape over time?

I took some time off the last three years and have been out of the scene pretty much. It felt like an urgent need to go on this hiatus just for a little while. I moved to Berlin, and coming back to my strengths there, it took me some time to share the fragile state I was in. I think that led me to do everything on my own, which actually felt quite nurturing to define where I wanted to go. But I’m also extremely grateful that I’m finally open enough to share this process with others. And to be capable of choosing if I want to do something on my own or with others. At the moment, I just love having people around me and sharing visions. I love collaborating with everyone who is with me on “BIOME". I produced most of the music with Neve. We had such a good flow on this and went in deep in such a short amount of time. Later, TCV joined and the songs started merging smoothly with everything that was already there. What really took it further for me this time was to do everything pretty much at the same time. Visuals came on in a moment where music hadn't even been finished, and they just went hand in hand naturally. I think I’m finally stepping out of me being only in front of my laptop, which I’m pretty bored of at the moment.

In your latest video “BITCH BITE” we see the contrast of a softer side and a character gaining domination. What can you tell us about “BITCH BITE”?

Writing bitch bite was the urgent need of dealing with transphobia and the fear of people aggressing on the street which led me to this battle-ready warrior mode. Coming from a place of pushing fears and anger away, I was longing for the incorporation of dystopia and utopia which grew to these extreme polarities to stage different versions of me. The song came from a sense of explaining myself and my environment. On one side the sonic awakening from being isolated from emotional prosperity and then the desire for confrontation and the emancipation from power dynamics. There’s always a multi dimensionality to these dualities. Though I have this delicate and graceful side in me, there may be a higher and darker power to it too and you better step back if you’re trying to come for me because them bitches bite.

Can you give us a little teaser on what we might expect on your upcoming EP “BIOME”?

The game has just started. Set up the biotope. “Position me in the middle. I fuck with it right.”