In conversation w/ ZenGxrl
OCTOBER 22, 2024 → PHOTOGRAPHY MARCUS SABAH STYLING ZENGXRL, CATARINA CARVALHO SPECIAL THANKS CONSTANCA ENTRUDO
WEARING CONSTANCA ENTRUDO
Under the azure skies of Lisbon, in the space and momentum filled with multicultural history, rhythms and turbulent energies, ZenGxrl gracefully pulls the strings of all and develops her way of sub-culture.
Raised in an eclectic musical landscape, linked to her Angolan family roots, she boldly merges the sounds, traditions, genres and communities. As a DJ, ZenGxrl embraces the emotional flow at the decks, deeply connecting with the place, moment and crowd. At the same time, she’s challenging the narrative by bringing unexpected bits into electronic music and mixing it with the African legacy, pop culture and instrumental groove.
For ZenGxrl, culture is unity. The integrity of music, fashion, dance, performance, visuals. You name it. She braids those all and invites you to Zen’s high-energy world of creating.
WEARING CONSTANCA ENTRUDO
When you reflect back to your childhood, what are your earliest memories of music?
Looking back, I always remember how my parents would search for different sound systems for the house and spend their free time listening to music. One memory that stands out is having a birthday cake shaped like a xylophone, which is one of the few cakes I actually remember. So, music has always been around, even as a listener from a young age. Later, when I went to school, I realised how much I enjoyed music and wanted to keep learning more about it. I remember recording myself playing guitar and composing new songs when I was around 11/12 years old.
What is it like for you to connect with your roots in a musical way? How does it spark your creative inspiration?
Having distinct cultural backgrounds really has an impact on the way I create. It allows me to listen and explore broadly and it gives me the freedom to be open-minded. Feeling confined to a single label can make it harder for creativity to flow, so I believe we should be allowed to create without limits or labels, especially in the early stages of creating. I love listening to music and feeling it, rather than thinking things like, “I can’t mix house with batida, so I can’t do it.” I like knowing the rules, but I also love knowing them so I can break them—that’s one of my favorite parts.
How do you draw parallel between audio and visual approach? Would you perceive yourself linking music and fashion fields through your practice?
For sure! Music and visual approach both reflect who I am, how I want to present myself to the world, and even how my “own world” in my head looks. Just like with music, I don’t stick to one thing all the time with visuals either—it’s more about how I feel with it than what I’m wearing.
I approach both in the same way - by mixing different elements and influences, whether it’s using a formal shirt with super baggy, colorful trousers or blending two “opposite” genres.
If you think about it, most jobs have a uniform—a pianist, a doctor, an electrician, a tennis player; they all dress differently, and they can’t really swap uniforms? But as a DJ, I could wear their uniforms and it’d still work because there are no limits. Though, I’d probably only wear a few elements, and not the full outfit!
Just like with music, when I think about how I want to look, it’s about how it makes me feel and the energy I want to bring. So my style and music definitely influence each other. If I feel good in an outfit, it puts me in a certain mood, and that energy carries into my music and performance.
WEARING CONSTANCA ENTRUDO
You seem to truly embrace the local Lisbon scene. What are your favorite spots to play, enjoy, and explore?
To be honest, I have been noticing that I’m kind of a homebody. Don’t get me wrong, I love being out, but I also love staying at home because it’s relaxing and it’s my space. But when I do go out, it’s really my friends that make the spots fun. That said, some of the spots I like in Lisbon and around are for clubbing MusicBox, HigherGround and Outra Cena; for food Zubir, Talho Central and Thiep Senegal; for drinks and music Collect and Antú; and just places Jardim Botânico Da Universidade De Lisboa, Jardim da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Galápos Beach, Wide Shades Showroom, Under The Cover.
How do you perceive your personal style? Do you have any specific guidelines for your stage looks?
I don’t think I can define my personal style with a specific word. Intuitively, I instantly know what feels right for me and what doesn’t. I tend to go for outfits that pair baggy and tight clothes—it’s all about balance. Just like with my music, if I like something, I’m going to wear it—no rules, just vibes! laughs
What’s currently spinning on your playlist? Any tracks you’ve recently fallen in love with and bring to the dance floor?
I feel like my playlist is quite random. It can go from kuduro to jazz in a matter of seconds. Here are a few club tracks that I’ve been loving and definitely bringing to the dance floor:
→ Deejay Poco - "Tipo Nao Ta Andar"
→ State OFF - "Mandoza (Instrumental)"
→ Pantera - "MTG Tapa na Cara (BSB Version) with Petrus.wav, Novin Yarp"
→ Vanyfox - "Alegria da Velha"
→ Sky White - "Olha Você"
In conversation w/ ZenGxrl
OCTOBER 22, 2024
PHOTOGRAPHY MARCUS SABAH
STYLING ZENGXRL, CATARINA CARVALHO
SPECIAL THANKS CONSTANCA ENTRUDO
WEARING CONSTANCA ENTRUDO
Under the azure skies of Lisbon, in the space and momentum filled with multicultural history, rhythms and turbulent energies, ZenGxrl gracefully pulls the strings of all and develops her way of sub-culture.
Raised in an eclectic musical landscape, linked to her Angolan family roots, she boldly merges the sounds, traditions, genres and communities. As a DJ, ZenGxrl embraces the emotional flow at the decks, deeply connecting with the place, moment and crowd. At the same time, she’s challenging the narrative by bringing unexpected bits into electronic music and mixing it with the African legacy, pop culture and instrumental groove.
For ZenGxrl, culture is unity. The integrity of music, fashion, dance, performance, visuals. You name it. She braids those all and invites you to Zen’s high-energy world of creating.
WEARING CONSTANCA ENTRUDO
When you reflect back to your childhood, what are your earliest memories of music?
Looking back, I always remember how my parents would search for different sound systems for the house and spend their free time listening to music. One memory that stands out is having a birthday cake shaped like a xylophone, which is one of the few cakes I actually remember. So, music has always been around, even as a listener from a young age. Later, when I went to school, I realised how much I enjoyed music and wanted to keep learning more about it. I remember recording myself playing guitar and composing new songs when I was around 11/12 years old.
What is it like for you to connect with your roots in a musical way? How does it spark your creative inspiration?
Having distinct cultural backgrounds really has an impact on the way I create. It allows me to listen and explore broadly and it gives me the freedom to be open-minded. Feeling confined to a single label can make it harder for creativity to flow, so I believe we should be allowed to create without limits or labels, especially in the early stages of creating. I love listening to music and feeling it, rather than thinking things like, “I can’t mix house with batida, so I can’t do it.” I like knowing the rules, but I also love knowing them so I can break them—that’s one of my favorite parts.
How do you draw parallel between audio and visual approach? Would you perceive yourself linking music and fashion fields through your practice?
For sure! Music and visual approach both reflect who I am, how I want to present myself to the world, and even how my “own world” in my head looks. Just like with music, I don’t stick to one thing all the time with visuals either—it’s more about how I feel with it than what I’m wearing.
I approach both in the same way - by mixing different elements and influences, whether it’s using a formal shirt with super baggy, colorful trousers or blending two “opposite” genres.
If you think about it, most jobs have a uniform—a pianist, a doctor, an electrician, a tennis player; they all dress differently, and they can’t really swap uniforms? But as a DJ, I could wear their uniforms and it’d still work because there are no limits. Though, I’d probably only wear a few elements, and not the full outfit!
Just like with music, when I think about how I want to look, it’s about how it makes me feel and the energy I want to bring. So my style and music definitely influence each other. If I feel good in an outfit, it puts me in a certain mood, and that energy carries into my music and performance.
WEARING CONSTANCA ENTRUDO
You seem to truly embrace the local Lisbon scene. What are your favorite spots to play, enjoy, and explore?
To be honest, I have been noticing that I’m kind of a homebody. Don’t get me wrong, I love being out, but I also love staying at home because it’s relaxing and it’s my space. But when I do go out, it’s really my friends that make the spots fun. That said, some of the spots I like in Lisbon and around are for clubbing MusicBox, HigherGround and Outra Cena; for food Zubir, Talho Central and Thiep Senegal; for drinks and music Collect and Antú; and just places Jardim Botânico Da Universidade De Lisboa, Jardim da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Galápos Beach, Wide Shades Showroom, Under The Cover.
How do you perceive your personal style? Do you have any specific guidelines for your stage looks?
I don’t think I can define my personal style with a specific word. Intuitively, I instantly know what feels right for me and what doesn’t. I tend to go for outfits that pair baggy and tight clothes—it’s all about balance. Just like with my music, if I like something, I’m going to wear it—no rules, just vibes! laughs
What’s currently spinning on your playlist? Any tracks you’ve recently fallen in love with and bring to the dance floor?
I feel like my playlist is quite random. It can go from kuduro to jazz in a matter of seconds. Here are a few club tracks that I’ve been loving and definitely bringing to the dance floor:
→ Deejay Poco - "Tipo Nao Ta Andar"
→ State OFF - "Mandoza (Instrumental)"
→ Pantera - "MTG Tapa na Cara (BSB Version) with Petrus.wav, Novin Yarp"
→ Vanyfox - "Alegria da Velha"
→ Sky White - "Olha Você"