With "Pork" Thoom has moved from DIY-noise to murky electronics and the use of her supple voice in her album where she collaborated with her mother on the Arabic lyrics. In an interview with ultra-authentic artist Thoom below, we uncover her musical journey and find out the ins-and-outs of "Pork".

After leaving Lebanon at the age of 11 to head to the United States, Thoom has always reached towards in her rich family heritage for inspiration. Thoom debuted on the Californian label Club Chai in 2017 then began collaborating with emerging artists Via App & E-Saggila, resulting in an EP for Montreal's Infinite Machine, as well as Swedish label Northern Electronics where she just released a track on their latest compilation.

What song do you always find yourself singing in the shower?
Dolly Parton, Jolene.

You were born in Lebanon, have travelled to the USA and now you are Berlin-based, how have your travels influenced you and your music?

I can't say exactly how they've influenced my music, a lot of my songs come from the feeling of not belonging anywhere, and feeling very empathetic and misanthropic at the same time.

How would you describe the music scene in Berlin?

I don't really know it that well yet. Berlin is very high production, when I was in Chicago I would always look for an opportunity to listen to my music on Funktion1 speakers, in Berlin its the standard. Most of the systems are high quality and production. The underground is not like in America or Beirut or elsewhere, being deviant is more accepted and embraced, which I think neutralizes people. There's not that much to be angry about if what you're doing is more socially acceptable. But since lockdown, I haven't really gone to shows, right now they are allowing very small groups of people and most of the time you have to be sitting down, which changes a lot of the context of the music that was being performed pre-corona.

You're new debut EP 'Pork' is described as a reflection on four tumultuous years of transition and rediscovery, can you expand on this?

I was really young and stupid.. Through the course of making this album, a lot of things became clear to me about the music that I like, and what I want to express and how i want to express it. While it was incredible to come to terms with these things, it can be painful and can unearth a lot of feelings you forgot about.

What are your techniques in distinguishing individuality in your music?

I dont really have techniques for that...once you find your sound, voice, its inevitably gonna be unique. Unless you're trying to be someone else.

What is the best advice you've ever given anybody?
To stop hanging out with people that make you feel like shit.

It's said "for the first time, you have prioritises melody, songwriting and the honesty of your own supple voice, over rage and electronic noise", what inspired this change?

I don't really like music without melody, and I got happier and was not as angry. I dont want the production to be too intricate and sound design, i wanted it to be instinctual and raw.

From 'Pork' which of the 9 tracks is your favourite & why?

Sound of a heavy stone and shaytan, especially shaytan because it was the first song we made on the album and it. opened up a field of possibilities.

What is the one message you would give to your following?

To worry and focus less about your image. the world moves fast and there's a lot of pressure to move faster which has resulted in a lot of half-baked music and art. Take as much time as you need to make the project the best that it can be.

What are the next steps for you & your music?

To keep doing what I've been doing. My favourite songs I've made are the ones I'm making right now.
Her two videos are now out that you can share-
Shaytan: https://youtu.be/M_DFCrc1o4U
Eat to Taste: https://youtu.be/fS8WMUqzLbU