Both Katerina Adonov and Lizett Montiel aka Rizu X appeared on Cómeme before their shared release Bizarro World. The former Helsinki-based artist released her debut on the label back in 2018 and she appeared twice on Cómeme’s Solidarity Forever compilations. Though the Laredo, Texas-based Montiel self-released her debut EP, she appeared twice on said compilation as well. On the third edition of Solidarity Forever, Adonov and Montiel shared the space of a 12-inch record with their respective tracks. Not least thanks to their joint appearance on Cómeme, the two artists bonded over a mutual appreciation of each other’s “wacky” tracks, as Lizett puts it below. With Bizarro World, they once again celebrate this approach to dance music—take “Quiero” as an example:
Claiming that all it took for a collaboration to start and a split EP to follow was something as small as an appreciation of wackiness might seem to be an understatement. The argument becomes even more disputable given the fact that the press release of Bizarro World references the ongoing lockdowns due to COVID-19 and their consequences, such as an increasing virtualization of life, empty dance floors, and an uncertain future. The questions around these issues are far-reaching, so far open-ended, and may not be answered with explanations referring to small things. Still, Adonov and Montiel show us in their conversation that trivialities are just as important. “[I]ntimate dance music (…) for an emotional workout” may be one of these small things, as the press releases states. Experiencing intimacy in a conversation with a friend—even in a digital one—, may be another.
Lizett Montiel There’s a cognitive dissonance these days resulting into erratic behavior: While being in the same enclosed space for several days—even if you go out for a walk nearby—, I lose track of time or what day it is, resulting in mixed emotions… Did this happen to you?
For me the best way to keep our sanity and sound mind is self-care. For example, I’m big on facials and listening to binaural and ASMR sounds.
Katerina Andonov To be honest, I’ve been a loner for years now, so in this sense it hasn’t been a big change for me. It’s more like life as usual but with a big grey cloud of worry and sadness hanging over me. Worrying about my parents, who are at risk, and worrying about the world and about people less fortunate, without the basic necessities of life, people who are alone and have nothing or nobody… The ones on Instagram saying they’re bored make me furious. How can you be bored in a time like this? There are so many people who need your help.
As per usual, I have forgotten about self-care, I think. Tough I would say my cat is my biggest tranquilizer. You have a cat, too, so you know what I mean, right?
LM Yes, cats are the best! Cleo knows how to make me feel better…
The release notes of Bizarro World state that the EP is an attempt at “reclaiming intimacy in isolation.” I was able to disconnect more often from social media during this time period. I continue creating and producing from home, but cannot say I’m in a frenetic state of creation either, more like an occasional “writer’s block” sensation. But honestly, the process leading to the release of the EP has helped to get back on it and regain the pace somehow…
In any case, it’s genius that you came up with the title! It just hits it right on the dot. How did the original idea emerge and how does it relate to the track with this title?
KA The way the track came about was like a series of bizarre accidents, also that’s how the world kinda feels like.
I’m curious, how does the process of naming your tracks work for you? Do you name your music early on or come up with titles later on?
LM I try to come up with the name while creating new music depending on what original intention, emotion, or inspiration it has. Usually, it happens right after I’m done producing for that day.
I find it quite interesting how we came about knowing of each other through Matias [Aguayo, from Cómeme]. I believe it was when I sent over some music while you guys were working on your EP Just When You Thought It Was Over a couple years ago. And then, the same thing happened the other way around when Matias and I were working on some tracks… It just seemed like the right connection and logical to do. And you said something between the lines like “we are both kind of whacky!” And that still sticks to me, ‘cause the tracks are all playful in that sense.
KA Yeah, I was in the studio with Matias trying to decide which tracks of mine should go on my first EP when he played me some music he was considering for a release. I gravitated towards your music because to me, it sounded very authentic and had a lot of personality. Matias also showed me your Instagram profile and I was like “I wanna meet this girl!” You just seemed real.
LM The feeling was definitely mutual!
It’s insane how much has changed since we created the tracks for the collaborative EP, but I do believe the sentiment and intentions remain the same. There are reoccurring themes that are constant reminders of our society, especially when it comes to privacy and security for example. How do you envision these to be changing for you in the future? In what direction are we heading as we live through uncertain times?
KA I really don’t know. It feels like the world is ending most of the time. I do what feels right in my heart, one day at the time. I’ve had some health issues that have made me realize that I have been too hard on myself and that life is not forever.
…sorry, I’m diving to the deep end here. To counter that, how do you fight it if your mood sinks low? What makes you laugh? For example, I love Dave Chapelle!
LM I get you,realizing to take more care of yourself and not ignore the signs your body gives out.
I usually rely on the videos my boyfriend and other friends share for laughs, but I am big on cute animal videos and pictures to feel better when down.
You’ve already done a gig recently ever since some businesses started to reopen, right? How would you describe this experience? And did you participate in any live streams before this? I did one local live stream and a set on live radio so far. Both were a whole ordeal regarding the set up, but they both came out alright without any interruptions, luckily.
KA Yeah, here in Finland the situation isn’t that bad, we are so lucky. I was asked to do a few live streams, but I respectfully declined. I have been tired and needed a break anyway. Finally, when there was an opportunity to play for a crowd again, I was ready. The gig was limited capacity and the curfew was early. While arriving, I saw that people were behaving very nicely, respectfully and being careful. I played a four hour set and people started dancing right from the start. I have to say I haven’t felt this emotional and good with a crowd in a long time: They were on my side, they were with me. I had that feeling I can go wherever I want and I will be loved. That doesn’t happen every time!
Do you miss playing live? How is it in the States? Do you see gigs happening again any time soon?
LM I do miss playing live, definitely, and interacting with new people, discovering some of the venues and events. I myself would organize some local events and, as stressful as it was, I miss it. I miss traveling the most for sure and meeting with other fellow artists…
The situation varies for every state and I’m in the Texas/Mexico border area. Some places reopened too soon, I think… But the border did not for “non-essential travel”… So it’s an ongoing thing but at the same time inevitable. Might take a while for live gigs to come back and things to settle.
To finalize, I would like to ask what is in the picture/mood board currently for Katerina? I know Snoopy and DJ Quik are always a recurrent theme for you!
KA Lately I have been so into Shock G from Digital Underground. I recommend looking into his body of work and if you want a glimpse of his persona follow him on @sirshockalock on Instagram. You’ll get him singing and playing piano spontaneously in a hotel lobby. It’s beautiful and touching; such an immense talent. He is big on comedy sketches of his own as well, but will occasionally pour his heart out and even shed some tears for the current state of humanity. I dream of working with him one day! When I played the before mentioned gig, my last record was his remix of Prince’s “Love Sign”. I just can’t get over how good it sounds, perfection—this is coming from a person who normally isn’t big on remixes. Of course, Prince is an essential part of my mood board forever. There is so much music that is vital for me, but in addition to music, I’m a very visual person and especially love nature. Recently, I’ve spent a lot of time shooting videos in nature, different landscapes, nature’s shifting moods. I’m having the time of my life doing that.
Before I go on and on forever, I’m dying to know what’s on your mood board!
LM Will have to check out all of that for sure. And I would love to see some of the footage you’ve shot, that sounds awesome!
As for me, I guess I’m always drawn to visual references as well, especially into performative or futuristic and sci-fi aesthetics. Music wise, I always go back and listen to Sade or Kate Bush, I find comfort in their music, just like the Mexican 90’s Pop stuff I grew up with (that’s a long list).
Lately, I’ve been really into Biosphere 2, thanks to a documentary which I also recommend. It’s a facility in Arizona that was built back in the late 80ties to simulate an ecological system for a space colony. I also like browsing “satisfying” video compilations on the internet, which are mainly textures and repetitive patterns. I’ve been trying to create my own for a music video, too. Hopefully I get to show some of that soon. Also besides the hype, there’s something about the Animal Crossing video game that has been an evident inspiration throughout the last few months (probably thanks to the cuteness). My little brother owns this game, glad I don’t have my own (yet) or it would be too many hours spent on it.
KA Thank you for the conversation, it was a pleasure! Hope to meet you soon somewhere in the world and in the meantime keep in touch. You’ve got my support, always!
LM Likewise! Thank you for the chat and hoping we can meet once we can see each other on the dance floor. In the meantime, I will send the occasional Instagram message like we usually do.
Bizarro World is out now via Cómeme.