Car∂amo, Androgen and Queer
By Made Of Sound
Who Are You, and what kind of sound are you trying to create with your music?
I'm Cardamon, a blend of the people who inspire me and the many facets of my own personality. My musical journey began as a classical violinist, but I've evolved my sound when I heard a Berlin vibe for the first time. I’m inspired by artists like Dorian Electra and the PC music scene, and crafting music that's both a reflection of my experiences and an exploration of new sonic territories.
Your songs often evolve from mainstream to avant-garde. Is that intentional?
Yes, the whole point of my artistry is related to this. I like to shake people and throw them in places. I want everybody to experience different things. Life is so short that we should experience as much as we can. Musically, my way of doing that is to sing a ballad, and then throw kicks. It’s just cool, I like switching up genres and things like that.
You have a deep appreciation for international music, including Eurovision. Can you share more about what draws you to these musical influences and Eurovision in particular?
International music is a big inspiration of mine because I’m half Italian, half Cypriot. I’ve always been a huge fan of the Eurovision song contest, and anything that isn’t just “4 to the floor,” even though I love classics, I do like venturing out. Eurovision is based on an Italian competition, Sanremo, which is a festival where they take a lot of artists, young and known, and they perform for the whole nation, in a broadcast. A winner is selected, and they’re celebrated. Often they will be paraded for the year, as the winner of Sanremo, and it’s a really nice thing. The Eurovision was based on this idea. The Eurovision is a break from the reality of geopolitics. That’s one reason why I love it. Also, Eurovision has always been representative of queer culture and the variety of different expressions of sexuality and gender from different countries. And the last reason is that the songs are so funny. They’re great, I love them.
You never think in terms of serious vs fun music, do you?
No, I think music is taken too seriously anyway. Music shouldn’t be so serious. It is art. Art is derivative but also art is fun, is expression. I throw away silly music vs serious music. In my album, I’ve got songs about me understanding my sexuality and my gender, and a song about frogs. We should bring more comedy into music. Look at what people like Lil Nas X are doing, where they are taking everything to the Nth degree. Being a provocateur is now something that is not considered a bad thing as much as it was, and I think that with provocating the broader audience, you’re able to expose different ideas and poke fun at them.
Would you say the world lacks craziness?
Not the world, but we do. These social norms have a place, there are certain things we shouldn’t do, things that are immoral. But have they gone too far in a sense that somebody walking down the street singing their favorite songs is considered a weirdo or simply giving a compliment to somebody on the street, is like, why you’re talking to me. But I do that a lot!
What inspired your androgynous artistic direction?
Growing up, I was very closeted, I was very close-minded, brought up with this idea that men do something, women do another, and that was just to do with my traditional upbringing, it’s not something that I learned myself, and I sought out, it’s something that was thrown upon me, and so many people. I think it’s very important at the earliest stage to understand that this is one way of understanding life and it is a way that life has been understood, but there is also this other part, this new way of life, this more accepting way. I think that’s important to be exposed to the idea that some people don’t care about others’ perceptions of them.
How do you translate difficult experiences into creative expression?
In my song Scream About, I directly quote my dad in something that he would tell me when I was young. Also, I talk about how my mom projected all her insecurities into me as a child. Do I resent them? Yes, kind of, but also, what can you do? Ultimately parents are just people who have children. Writing songs from personal experiences, I find that very easy. I go to therapy, and I never run out of shit to say.
A key message you’d like to give people?
Stream my music, give me money (laughs). That’s not a joke! But if you want something more poetic, live your life the way you want it. Just be crazy. Go tell someone on the street they have nice hair, and that their fashion sense is really cool.
Any advice for people who struggle with their identity?
In terms of identity, the most important is to understand that you have your own. No matter who you’re inspired by, you won’t ever be, because you’re not them. It’s important to understand that maybe you will be successful, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll meet the love of your life, maybe you’ll die alone. Life happens. It’s important to understand that any of these possibilities might happen. The only thing that doesn’t change is you. You are inside you. Be comfortable with it, make it your friend.
How do you want your career to progress long term? What are your goals?
I want to be rich and famous. I want everybody, all the world to know all of my songs. I want to book an Arena, to collaborate with my favorite artists, to be treated like royalty. I want the world, as much of it as I can have. I say that as a humble person. I will take as much as you give me because I’m nothing without shared experience.
Anything else?
If anybody reading this is related to Eurovision in any way, shape, or form, message me, I will represent any country, I don’t care (laughs).