Anushka Chkheidze is constantly scoping out new influences and ways of expressing herself. On her current album Clean, Clear and White, for example, she combines field recordings from an abandoned building with piano and choir.
On her first two albums »Halfie« and »Move 20 – 21«, Chkheidze made tracks mainly inspired by IDM (intelligent dance music), harnessing energy by combining bold beat patterns, atmospheric pads, and crystalline pop melodies. After having grown up in the Georgian village of Kharagauli (population 2,000), Anushka Chkheidze quickly outgrew her lonely bedroom studio, driven towards interacting with other people.
In 2022, she inspired audiences as part of the Goethe Talents programme for Pop-Kultur Nachwuchs, and now, she can be seen in the main live programme.
FACTS
1. Normally , I am an anxious and confused person.
2. I have never been drinking alcohol.
3. My grandmother is very important person in my life.
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
It’s very difficult to say what is the biggest , because I am always inspired by others’ music. I am super inspired by some beautiful human beings , but in a musical way polyphonic music is very important. For me music always should have its own dark and bright parts to be inspired.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
I was already 3 years old when I started playing on my grandma’s piano. This instrument captivated me to invent some melodies. But , if we talk about when I got into real making of my music , it happened quite late , when I was 19 years old and started studying for my bachelor , which was not interesting for me . I had a period of complexes and being an unconfident , super shy person . Music helped me to be a more confident , strong and nice person . Because, when you are happy with what you do , you become more kind.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
Honestly , it’s not difficult , because I have albums which I get back all the time when I am bored.
Boards of canada – “Music has the right to children”
Talk Talk – “Spirit of Eden “
M-ziq – “1977”
Aphex Twin – “Selected Ambient Works 85-92”
Kali Malone – “The Sacrificial Code”
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
When I think about Berlin , I see a big space with multicultural people. It’s always easy to lose yourself , but it’s also super easy to find out your place, people. Berlin is the place where something always happens.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
My balcony in the evenings , especially if I could eat cold watermelon or crack nuts.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
I was always dreaming to be a dancer and at some point it took me out of my mind , my physics still believes it’s possible. Music came to my mind from dancing. I was such a music lover all the time , because of digging tracks to dance on it.
7. What was the last record/music you bought or listen?
Last record that I bought was from Clarissa Connelly – World of work. It was only the playlist for that moment.
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
It’s the secret/dream , what about I don’t like talking :D
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
Sometimes there are days , when I feel the best after the performance, or other days – I am not so happy , but feel so much energy from spectators. For now my ARTE concert was when both happened. I was as happy as the audience , so I could say the best gig was in Clermont Ferrand.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
Honestly , technology was the only tool to use for creating my own music. I was singing in a choir, playing on a piano and making some dance mixes in Windows Movie Maker. How could you imagine me making music without some synths, DAWs etc.
11. What can we expect from your concert at Pop-Kultur?
Little bit of traveling , you could choose Ship , plane or bicycle.
