#111: Selene (Audio Fiend)
We're joined by author, DJ, and UI/UX designer, Selene, who tells us more about Depeche Mode & The Cure, her event series 'Audio Fiend', seafood, Ratchet & Clank, and more.
Raw, explicit, vulnerable. Selene is a multifaceted creative force, weaving together words, beats, and design. As an author, DJ, and UI/UX designer, she explores the intersection of art, technology, and community. Through Audio Fiend, her event series, Selene brings together like-minded individuals from diverse genres, fostering a culture of unity and creative expression.
You can purchase your tickets (women only!) for Selene’s upcoming Audio Fiend event, ‘CULT OF DIONYSUS’ taking place on the 8th of November at Smokey Dreamz in Randpark. But for now, we welcome her to The FRM Newsletter to share what she’s been into recently!
👕🎸 personal fashion
i’m not that crazy about fashion to be honest, it’s not an art form that i’ve really delved into. i would describe my way of dressing as alternative/punk. i often just look through my closet and throw something on. on a daily basis, it’s sweat pants, band tees and converse. on a night out (if i have the energy) i try to dress up but with two things in mind:
dress to sweat.
dress for comfort.
i don’t want my outfit in my way at a rave or punk show, i want to move freely.
🎧🥁 music
music is everything to me. i grew up in a household that (to this day) plays every genre under the sun on a saturday morning while breakfast is being made. my biggest influence with music is definitely my dad, we’d listen to stuff like depeche mode, new order, the cure, a-ha and jamiroquai on the way to school in the morning. my dad shaped my love for alternative sub genres and electronic music. i started writing songs when i was around 6/7 years old, because i thought i’d have my own band someday, instead i found myself in the rave scene when i was 18, i was baffled and amazed at this community where people could be themselves unapologetically. i love the rawness of it all.
i ended up learning how to dj instead, i grew addicted to the vulnerability in techno and psytrance, it’s interesting how you can take people on a journey and make them feel so much with your sound. i’ve also grown quite introverted and shy over the years, being a dj is great because i don’t have to interact with anyone, i can tell a story through my sound.
when i’m not throwing down some filthy techno, i’m probably listening to shoegaze or punk, i love the distorted vocals, the beautiful riffs… i love the hopelessness and the numbness shoegaze makes me feel. i love the rawness of punk, the political awareness, the fact that something as simple as joy and love is an act of resistance.
🎨👹 art
i typically find myself appreciating surrealism, i don’t care for structure, i don’t care for “sense”. my favourite artist is Zdzisław Beksiński, famously known as “the nightmare artist”. his style is described as dystopian surrealism. i appreciate art that is vulnerable, unusual and disturbing, i appreciate art that makes me feel something deeply. i was cursed with the inability to draw, so when i feel like putting something on paper or a canvas, it’s definitely abstract.
🎬👾 film / media
my attention span sucks, i mainly watch cartoons. when i’m not rewatching rick and morty for the 600th time, i’m often rewatching films that have gripped me like the perks of being a wallflower, coraline, the corpse bride, mandy (to name a few). i’m more of a gamer, i love games like god of war, ratchet and clank and warframe. i LOVE indie games, my absolute favourite at the moment is road 96.
📚✍️ books
i don’t read as often as i used to, but i always find myself going back to books from my childhood, goosebumps, mr gum, diary of a wimpy kid. when i’m not reading books from my childhood, i like to read about psychology, philosophy, spirituality and witchcraft. publishing my own book (How to Abuse Drugs) was one of my biggest achievements, i started writing poetry at 14 and when i made it to matric one of my teachers encouraged me to publish my work. i didn’t want to take inspiration from other poets when writing the content for this book but i couldn’t help but read some of William Blake’s work along the journey. William Blake and i have something in common, rebellion against societal structures. on the rare occasion that i’m reading, when i’m not occupied with music, work or design, i have William Blake’s anthology in my hands.
🍱🛐 food
i have a weird relationship with food. i’m neurodivergent and as i grow older i find myself becoming more picky, because i suddenly don’t like the taste or texture of something. a type of cuisine that i always find myself going back to is asian cuisine. i absolutely love any form of sea food. i don’t like sweet treats but i lose my self respect when it comes to chocolate.
🇮🇸🗿 travel and lifestyle
i haven’t had the opportunity to travel, but i’d love to. i’d like to experience the rave scene in amsterdam / berlin, spend time at spiritual retreats in the amazon rainforest, visit ancient places like tikal, the pyramids and ruins of the greek gods. i’d absolutely love to settle down in iceland, cut off from society… peace and quiet, living with the earth.
being unable to travel doesn’t stop me from being THE SIDE QUEST QUEEN. i find myself on new adventures every week, finding new spots and making some interesting new friends.
