Golden Medusa
DJ | Leisure System | Refuge Worldwide
In Greek mythology, anyone who gazed into the eyes ‘Medusa’ would turn into stone. She was one of the three powerful Gorgon sisters, each of whom had slimy snakes protruding from their head in place of luscious locks; unlike most female characters in ancient Greece. After Perseus slew Medusa, her venomous head — snakes still intact — was added to Athena’s shield as a form of protection, which is where the association of Medusa as ‘protectress’ is rooted.
That wasn’t the last of Medusa though. Since the 20th century, Medusa has been reinterpreted in literature, pop culture, art, fashion and now, music. Her presence has slipped into the shadier world of electronic music where Lara Golz aka Golden Medusa pays homage to the snake-haired creature in the form of techno, electro, breakbeat, EBM, bass and experimental rhythms amongst other anomalies in dance music.
As a manager and resident DJ for the independent record label and event series Leisure System, Golden Medusa has followed a steady rise since her first gig in Berlin’s Chalet club in 2016. With a penchant for collecting records of every conceivable genre, Golden Medusa is an explorer of sound, always keen to push the limit (or limiter, depending on where you’re listening) to create a kaleidoscope of noise for an audience that is always curious to hear more.
Griessmühle, ://aboutblank, Säule, Berghain, OHM, Herrensauna and Atonal festival appeared throughout her pre-pandemic diary. Not forgetting her previous contributions on Leisure System Radio — the platform she co-curated with Sam Barker back in 2017 — Golden Medusa recently joined Refuge Worldwide Radio where she unleashes her sound to a global listenership with the bi-monthly show RESONATE.
As the pandemic continues its rippling impact worldwide, Golden Medusa shares a poignant memory from the Other Life. Looking back to a morning outside Berghain with her close friend and artist Marie, she talks about what’s keeping her mind in tune during Lockdown, what she hopes for the future of dance music and club culture, and the latest material in her stack of well-thumbed reads…
Post-workout 🖤 Marie Davidson & Golden Medusa ✨ Photo: Unknown
Where was this photo taken and why did you choose it? What was the music vibe at the time?
This photo was taken in front of Berghain in August 2019 after the 36th Leisure System event. I chose it because it represents a highlight in my personal life and career. Not only was I more involved in organising this LS party than ever before and got to play the opening slot again, I also shared special moments with some of my favorite people. During my set I went for moody, energetic broken techno, electro and ravey breakbeats. The first track, when I was still on my own, was by Sunn O))) because I wanted to hear some drone metal on that system lol.
Next up was my friend Sibel's (aka JakoJako) Berghain debut and she killed it, playing her beautiful modular synth techno live set in front of a big crowd. Sam (Barker), co-founder of LS and dear friend/mentor of mine, closed with incredible breaks and other non-4/4 UK styles.
It was also my friend Marie Davidson's birthday who I had booked as the live headliner. We've been friends for years now and had always dreamed of collaborating. This was the perfect way to do it. She played her last set in Berlin on a jam-packed, vibing main floor, before retiring from the club scene and forming a new band (check it out here). The photo shows Marie and me tired AF but blissed out in the morning after the party had ended. Everything went so well that night. Even my mom came to watch us play and brought Marie and me flowers to the booth.
How have you been over the last while and what is life currently like in Berlin?
I've been holding up quite well in the last months and I'm grateful for that, even though there are always good and bad days for sure. Berlin is still in a hard lockdown until the beginning of March so there's not much to do except for taking walks. Some people work (from home), some are on Furlough, some are unemployed. The city seems emptier in comparison to pre-pandemic days. I’m mostly reading and listening to music when I’m not working.
Last weekend I was able to attend a (socially distanced) memorial gathering and protest in Berlin to mark one year after the horrible right-wing terrorist attack in Hanau, Germany. Nine young people were shot and killed by an armed racist. If anyone would like to donate to the initiative founded by family members and friends of the victims, please click here.
You recently joined Refuge Radio as a resident DJ and host of your show RESONATE. What's the show sonically all about? Do you plan to bring any guests onboard at some point?
Yes, I’m excited about Refuge Worldwide’s new radio platform.
I’ve played their events in the past and always liked their concept/bookings. My show is about experimental, weird or beautiful tunes I don’t necessarily get to play out at parties usually. I’ve always loved styles like ambient, electronica, IDM, avant-garde, leftfield pop, post-industrial, some noisier stuff too. The common denominator of music I want to feature is this slightly melancholic emotional quality, maybe. I don't want to limit myself though, so I'll also play some breaks or techno, if I feel like it. I want to prioritize music made by friends and use my platform to promote people who are lesser-known. If I get more slot time for my show in the future, I’d love to have guests too.
Your taste is quite diverse, covering everything from breaks to electro to experimental and beyond. Who are the local or emerging artists that have slipped into your library of tunes lately?
At the moment, some of my favourite international breakthrough artists are Anz from Manchester (her output blows my mind), crystallmess from Paris, Katatonic Silentio from Milan, Animistic Beliefs from Rotterdam, FARWARMTH from Lisbon, Kelvin T from Hong Kong, and KMRU from Nairobi. Local up-and-coming recommendations are my dear friend LUZ1E, then obviously JakoJako, who I mentioned already, and Berlin-based people like Ireen Amnes, Ciarra Black, aνa* and dmitra.
How are you currently feeling about the future?
I want to remain patient and calm as much as possible and not get my hopes up too much in regards to a quick return of live music and nightlife.
I would be grateful for an open-air summer like the last one, where some legal, well-organized events at places like Oxi Garten were allowed. I hope that our industry and especially marginalized people with lower incomes and less financial stability get help and can bridge the gap until things start back up. I hope that when parties and venues are back, our industry can evolve into something better. I hope that 2020 was a year of reflection for the people in power who are making decisions.
We need more inclusion and better representation of BIPOC, queer, trans and disabled people. We need to establish a climate where everyone feels safe and seen. I would love to see more queer, femme BIPOC in leadership positions, creating new infrastructures.
Back to the present moment. Tell us how the photo below is something that brings you happiness or comfort in your day-to-day life right now?
Apart from essential shops, the state of Berlin has allowed book stores to stay open throughout lockdown. I’ve been reading loads since last year when everything shut down for the first time. I finally had enough time to get back into it after crazy busy, hectic years of neglecting my reading lists. This photo shows some books I’ve recently finished and 2-3 new ones I’m really stoked on. Reading calms me down and helps me focus. I try to be less on social media too. It really helps.
Reads 👀 Photo: Golden Medusa