Q&A: Disco Shrine
☆ By Joy Saha ☆
INTERTWINING HER SPUNK VOCALS WITH POP-SYTNH BALLADS - Jessica Delijani - a.k.a Disco Shrine and “Persian Barbie” - is the modern day musical lovechild of Madonna and Charli XCX. It’s her bops like “Power,” “Up in the Air” and “Turn on the Lights” that feature electro-funk beats paired with a bit of 90’s sonical nostalgia.
For Delijani, music began as a budding passion that later blossomed into a full-fledged career after she graduated from UCLA and debuted as Disco Shrine in 2015. The songwriter, world-traveling DJ and event curator has released a collection of singles ever since, including her latest track “Future Memories.” Watch her latest VHS inspired music video below and read on to learn more about her creative process, desire to write a song in Farsi and words of wisdom for young girls interested in entering the music industry.
LUNA: How have you been lately? How is your quarantine treating ya?
DELIJANI: Hey, I've been good. I'm getting ready to release my debut EP so that's been the main thing keeping me busy and sane during these crazy times.
LUNA: You recently put out a new song and music video “Future Memories” - congrats! The track was produced by Ceci G and co-written by Liz Nistico, can you share a bit about the creative process for this track?
DELIJANI: Yeee thanks! This was actually my first time working with Ceci and Liz together and it was honestly so much fun. They're both such talented artists but also just great people so it ended up feeling more like a fun hangout with friends. Ceci first started playing the synth melody on this new synth she just got the day before and I think Liz and I jumped up and started rocking out to it and that energy became “Future Memories.”
LUNA: The video is tight - it has so many fun elements to it that I love. What role do you play in the visual side of your work? Why is tapping into that side important to you?
DELIJANI: Ahhh thank you!! I've always been really passionate about creating overall vibes with my music and looking at every song as an artistic moment in time. Whenever I'm finished writing a song, my mind immediately starts brainstorming what world I want to bring people into with that song. So, I'm pretty heavily involved in the visual side of my work as well. “Future Memories” has such a nostalgic 90s and angsty vibe to it but it's also really playful, so I wanted to capture that in the video with the 90's VHS footage and also the super cool MTV inspired effects and editing. I worked really closely with Nicole Lip, who directed it, and Marti Hoyos, who brought it to life with his editing. I'm always collecting photos of images that inspire me that I pull from when I'm in the creative process. So Marti and Nicole and I went through the footage and I pulled from some of my inspirations! I'm really happy with how it turned out.
LUNA: “Future Memories” is the first track from your upcoming debut EP xoxo, disco. How would you compare the rest of the EP to this track? What can we expect?
DELIJANI: “Future Memories” to me feels like the intro track that is inviting listeners to my world. With every song on the EP you get a little bit more of a glimpse into who I am. This EP is inspired by my different experiences dating in Los Angeles. I talk about getting heart broken, one night stands, friends with benefits, dealing with loneliness etc... But I do it in a fun way that makes you want to dance instead of cry. It's definitely the most vulnerable I've been in my music thus far, but you can still expect lots of upbeat dance bops mixed with some more summery laid back tracks too.
LUNA: Can you share a favorite moment / memory from the making of the EP?
DELIJANI: Right before Los Angeles got locked down, I had a show where I was able to play “Future Memories” for the first time live. Hearing it come to life and playing it live was so exhilarating. It was the best feeling. I wish I could do the same for the rest of the new songs on the EP, but hopefully that'll happen one day.
LUNA: Are there any common themes or narratives you explore in your upcoming music?
DELIJANI: In this EP I explore the different facets of love: love at first sight, self-love, selfish love....lack of love haha.
LUNA: Sonically, what are some of the key elements shaping your sound lately?
DELIJANI: My sound is always evolving because I'm also always evolving. I don't like being pinned down to one genre. I think now more than ever artists can get away with genre-bending and dipping their toes in different pools of music. People like Doja Cat, Rina Sawayama, Halsey are all doing it in a way that's really genuine and still feels like them as artists. That's how I feel about my music and making music. I always want to challenge myself to try different things and grow as an artist. But lately my songs have been a little more punk rock vibes haha.
LUNA: What’s been inspiring you lately?
DELIJANI: I've been listening to a lot of hip hop and r&b lately. I'm really inspired by Chloe x Halle, Dominic Fike, Rosalia, Easy Life. I've also been listening to some Persian music and have been really inspired by those sounds. Maybe I'll write a song in Farsi!
LUNA: If you could offer some advice or words of wisdom to young girls wanting to get their start in the music industry but may feel a bit on the out, what would you say?
DELIJANI: I would tell them that knowledge is power. Music feels like an impossible world when you're first starting and a lot of people are going to tell you that you can't do it or make you feel inferior, but if you learn to become more self sufficient and don't need to rely on other people that's the most empowering thing you can do for yourself. Dive into the music world, make mistakes along the way, learn from them, and grow as an artist!
LUNA: Little bit of a tricky question these days, but do you have any upcoming goals you’d like to share? Anything you’d like to speak out into existence?
DELIJANI: I want to get my music synced to film and tv shows that I love! Writing it into existence haha.
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From Pavietra 🕊️ https://t.co/BXVgWlZud8 -
slowthai by Rosie Matheson 🤩 https://t.co/z7SDfFQ5iF
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RT @i_D: Ian Kenneth Bird photographs young punks on Polaroid: https://t.co/MKT0tMUqO9 https://t.co/a0tTl12ML5
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RT @AnOtherMagazine: #DreamHome – this isolated idyll in the mountains of Lanzarote 🌵 📸 via Nowness, photography by Clemence Blr 🔁 https://t.co/GUusdxD0cg