Esther Silex: Spirituality Has Always Been A Big Part Of My Work
We caught up with the delightful Esther Silex ahead of her performance at Let Them Eat Cake…
The famous dance choreographer Pina Bausch once said, ‘Dance, dance otherwise we are lost’, and in these politically tumultuous times we currently find ourselves, that sentiment couldn’t be more relevant. It’s also a statement that German DJ Esther Silex lives by, even going so far as to quote Bausch in her bio.
Silex is a Cologne producer/DJ who revels in music, spirituality and the honourable quest to find the true self within. No doubt, this is also a theme she drew inspiration from for ‘Pachamama’, her debut release on Sweden’s home of oddball house Studio Barnhus. Silex acknowledges the duality of life: the hard work internally that needs to be done versus enjoying yourself. It requires a really tight balance to master it.
It’s with this insight that Esther Silex will be gracing the stage at the upcoming Let Them Eat Cake, a set we already have ticked down as one to watch. We caught up with the rising star for a quick chat on all things music, life and, of course, spirituality…
Hi Esther, thank you for your time! Your hometown of Cologne seems to be a hotspot for talent, with acts like Robert Babicz, Tim Engelhardt and Supermayer all hailing from there. How different are the scenes between Cologne and Berlin?
Smell the Cologne…
Hello! I would not compare the scenes as Cologne is a small and comfy town in comparison to Berlin. Cologne has a horizon, a horizon that ends in the distance, whereas Berlin never seems to stop. Berlin goes on and on, and you can go out 24/7, there will always be music around some corner or another.
Cologne is very dear to me. Through Kompakt and the Total Confusion parties, I got into electronic music and started my club nights with a group of friends. It was wild, new and raw, and I am eternally grateful for that time and for Kompakt and all its lovely characters which over the years have become my friends. I am thankful for the inspiration, the rave, the bass, the excess and all the love.
Your bio quotes Pina Bausch, the famous dance choreographer and ballet director: ‘Dance, dance otherwise we are lost.’ What about that quote resonates so much with you?
I used to dance a lot and to all kinds: from ballet to Brazilian Forro to jazz and hip-hop. There was always music and dancing at our house when I was a kid, so it just naturally comes to me wherever I am. It is such a great feeling of freedom when you let loose, close your eyes and let your body move to the rhythm. Everything is in motion, and your mind is still, you could call this meditation. I dance through all my sets; it’s very healing actually. Sometimes you have to dance all those worries and thoughts away, let them go and shake it all off.
Recently, you signed your debut EP to Sweden’s house tastemaker label Studio Barnhus. We LOVE that label. How did that working relationship come about and what about Studio Barnhus was a good fit for you?
Studio Barnhus is an amazing label, so beautifully diverse and full of exciting ideas. It has inspired me a lot, especially their eclectic and courageous approach to music. I became friends with them first through Matt Karmil, who is one of the most talented producers out there, and who also helped me with the record. After some time they asked me to send them my tracks once they were ready. That’s exactly what I did, they loved them, released them, and here we are!
The title of your first EP is called ‘Pachamama’, the name given to a goddess revered by the indigenous people of the Andes. Is spirituality important to you? How do you feel having a good spiritual foundation enhance your creativity?
Spirituality has always been a big part of my work. I also teach yoga and meditation and spend lots of my time studying the body and mind and how they work together. I want to be free, make choices based on my personal desires and values in life, instead of decisions that are based on trauma-patterns from my past which then influence my future and my needs.
Metaphorically speaking I don’t want my life to consist of me screaming to be loved; I want to be able to love myself because I know who I am and because I can trust and forgive myself I can also heal myself. I believe the most significant challenge and goal in life are to discover who you are, to know yourself and act according to that.
Everyone is here for a reason and has their very own unique path to walk, and it takes focus and breathing and freeing yourself of society’s often conservative way of thinking to be able to see and feel what is right for you.
We are all the same, atoms with air in between, we just look differently. It is all pure energy, and if you tune into it, synchronicity happens, we connect, and life is in a flow. Music waves are the same; it is energy that is weaving through our souls.
Let Them Eat Cake is a beautiful one-day festival which occurs on the manicured lawns and gardens of the stunning Werribee Mansion. It is a unique location! Which festivals in Europe comes to mind for their unique locations?
Regarding unique locations, Secret Island Nation Festival in Sweden definitely tops it all. It takes place on a little island just off the Swedish mainland and hosts around 500 people who are all stuck together on an island. Everyone helps and contributes, and all work is shared. Nature over there is stunning, and food gets delivered via boat by the local fishermen.
Nevertheless, Garbicz Festival in Poland, close to the German border, is my favourite festival so far: A beautiful lake, beautiful forest, lovely people, lovely art, amazing music. You won’t find any Smirnoff tent or Red Bull camp. It’s a smaller, arty weekend with lots to discover!
And what has been your biggest track for 2018?
My biggest track of 2018 is for sure ’Nasty Woman’. It is a speech held by Ashley Judd at the Woman’s Day March in Washington DC last year. The fantastic label Cómeme found the right beat to go with the vocals and has elevated this already crazy important speech to new heights. My goal is not just to entertain but also to inspire. During these days, in this lovely and equally broken world, we all share the responsibility to speak up about injustice, no matter what kind. We are in this together, always!
What can we expect from your set at Let Them Eat Cake?
Surprise, surprise!
