SYNTHS FROM THE UNDERGROUND: GATA INTRODUCES THE MUSIC OF UNHUMAN AND PETRA FLURR
Unhuman and Petra Flurr are legends in the underground music scene. For the past decade, they have helped shape the cultural and sonic Landscape of Berlin, by fusing their love of the surreal, occultism and queer culture to produce an intoxicating musical and visual experience. With their latest LP release titled Mala Vida on BITE, the duo collaborated to create a pulsating record that embodies everything that the pair has come to represent over the years. Flurr’s lyrics delve into the underbelly of the German capital’s sex scene, punching through synth-laden beats and energetic hooks while Unhuman’s production on the record pushes continues a deep exploration of electronic music, referencing a shared appreciation of 80s heritage with Flurr, connecting the dots between techno, wave, punk and industrial music.
GATA recently connected with these two underground legends on the back of them touching down in Japan. Accompanying the interview is an exclusive collection of images created by some of the most hard-hitting and creative minds in the city; a dark blend of occult symbols, surrealist motifs and captivating visual flair. Enjoy this touch with darkness.
GATA: Hi Unhuman, Petra, thank you so much for your time! Could you please introduce yourselves to the GATA family?
P.Flurr: Greetings GATA! Thank you for the invitation. I'm Petra Flurr, the singer of this project, lyricist, and performance artist. My journey in music and collaboration dates back to the early 2000s.
Unhuman: Hello GATA! I'm Manos, the creator behind Unhuman, a Berlin-based electronic and experimental project that originated around 2010 in Athens. Initially more focused on power electronics, I serve as the producer, composer and instrumentalist for "Unhuman and Petra Flurr.".
GATA: Your latest LP, “Mala Vida” a collaborative project for the two of you is quite a departure from the darker, industrial sound that you (Unhuman) are known for, drawing inspiration from dance music and techno; what was the thinking behind this creative union?
Unhuman: Mala Vida marks our second album together following Cause of Chaos, released in 2020 on She Lost Kontrol records. The creative union between Unhuman and Petra Flurr began earlier in 2019 when Petra contributed vocals to a track on my first EP, Nylon Speech, released on Bite Records. Our collaboration has evolved from studio works and jams, and we've recently enhanced it with a full live force, introducing a new live set and stage presence. The project continues to develop, reflecting our dynamic exploration of sound and performance.
P. Flurr: The Mala Vida project emerged from a shared sentiment of boredom during that period. We questioned whether we should create a project that blends elements from the past and the future, particularly in my case and, I believe, in Unhuman's as well. Our musical roots trace back to the early '80s, encompassing deconstructive sounds, industrial music, wave, and punk. The creative union was fueled by our similar views and taste in music, providing a platform to explore a fusion of these influences.
GATA: How did the two of you meet? What was it about each other that attracted you to create something together?
P.Flurr: Around a decade ago, we crossed paths through mutual friends and party organisers. Over time, a natural connection developed, and we shared a mutual understanding that we would collaborate in the future. The attraction to create something together stemmed from an intuitive desire to break away from the contemporary sound and construct a musical entity that combines elements of the old and the new—a fusion of the familiar with the innovative.
Unhuman: We first connected around 2012, almost 12 years ago, at Drop Dead Festival where we were performing with separate projects. I was playing with my solo project “Unhuman” and also with my duo band project I had then “Flesh United” At that time, I hadn't fully relocated to Berlin yet. The Athens scene had a significant impact on me due to my involvement in various bands with diverse musical styles, ranging from post-punk to metal, surf, and experimental. Upon arriving in Berlin about 12 years ago, I discovered a rich and inspiring local scene where I met Petra and other friends, marking the beginning of our ongoing musical journey together.
GATA: Berlin seems to have played an integral part in the identity and sonic quality of both of your sounds, have you ever thought what your music would be like if you were based somewhere completely different?
P.Flurr: The impact on the development of my music genre was more significant during the early stages when I established the persona Petra Flurr in Spain around 2000. Berlin served as a platform for the professional release and realization of my musical endeavours, but the roots of my artistic identity were shaped elsewhere.
Unhuman: Berlin didn't shape our identities; both Unhuman and Petra Flurr already existed as projects and were shaped in different countries. Unhuman originated as a project in Athens, Greece, while Petra Flurr started in Spain. In fact, we see ourselves as integral to the sound of Berlin, dating back nearly two decades. We, along with other influential artists, decided to relocate to Berlin, and collectively, we laid the foundations for the vibrant music and art scene that the city is renowned for today. We both entered Berlin with a strong musical background that had already been shaped. Upon moving to Berlin, we aimed to further develop our individual projects and artistic visions. The city provided a unique environment and inspiration to nurture and refine our musical identities.
GATA: Evolution and reinvention, seem to be a clear and important aspect of your creativity, where do you see music and art as a whole moving towards in the next few years? On a personal level too, how do you see yourselves developing?
Unhuman: Certainly, we recognize that predicting the exact direction of music and art in the next few years is uncertain. Our approach is not guided by a specific vision of the future; instead, we are dedicated to the ongoing process of creating new and personally meaningful music. The essence of our journey lies in the exploration and discovery within our craft, allowing the creative process to unfold organically.
P.Flurr: Regarding the future of music and art, it's challenging to predict our specific trajectory. I prefer to go with the flow, adapting to the evolving situation. As long as we continue to create, embracing both construction and deconstruction in our artistic endeavours, that journey is fulfilling for my soul.
GATA: The images you created for GATA feature striking visual motifs—pale bandaged faces and St George’s flag for example. What was the inspiration behind the concept for this shoot?
Unhuman: You got to be joking, right?! The photos have nothing to do with St George's flag. In our project, we consistently use occult symbolism, playing with magic and the dark arts. The visual motifs in the GATA images, like pale bandaged faces, are a reflection of this fascination. We selected clothing from alternative designers such as Julius, Rick Owens, and SeunghyunKim. The shoot's concept drew inspiration from surrealism, with influences from artists like Dali and Gottfried Helnwein.
Taka, a talented and creative director who's also an old friend, curated the photoshoot. The soundtrack of the photoshoot featured the music of Haus Arafna, Christian Death, and Sopor Aeternus, creating a remarkable and memorable atmosphere. Working with Taka and his talented team was truly one of the best experiences, making it one of the best photo sessions ever.
P.Flurr: The whole GATA shoot vibe? Well, that all came together in Taka's studio. We messed around and boom, there it was–no grand plan, just the creative chaos (laughs). Shoutout to our badass makeup artists and hair gurus who made it all pop. The makeup? Always changing. It's about the mud, the soul, and the rebirth–you know, show up, wreck things, and start anew. Big on symbolism, occult vibes, and magic, all guided by the raw force of nature. Now, the St. George's Cross? Not my intention, but hey, who's that guy anyway? (laughs)
GATA: At GATA we are huge admirers of cinema, have any films in particular influenced your music over the years?
P.Flurr: Totally, cinema has been a significant influence on my music over the years. Some films that have left a mark include: Begotten (1989), The Holy Mountain (1973), The works of Kenneth Anger and David Lynch, these films, among many others, have played a role in shaping and inspiring my creative journey.
Unhuman: Absolutely, the influence of cinema has been profound in our music. Films such as Ken Russell's Altered States (1980), Shin’ya Tsukamoto's Tetsuo (1989), David Cronenberg's The Fly (1986) and Videodrome (1983), as well as John Carpenter's They Live (1988) and Christine (1983), have left a lasting impression. Our admiration for the big screen is boundless, and the list of influential movies is extensive. The aesthetics and captivating soundtracks of these films have impacted our creative journey.