Peggy Gou: «Thank you, Italy»

Star of the electronic musicinternationally renowned DJ, stylist, producer and activist. There there are many ways to tell Peggy Gou but no one is able to fully grasp its many facets: 31 years old, south koreanis based on Berlin but she is allergic to labels, as the over two and a half million followers who follow her on Instagram know well. She loves thinking and playing outside the box, looking at the world without filters. Maybe that’s why she loves her so much giraffe, symbol of his streetwear fashion label: From above, everything is put into perspective. She is always on the move, from one part of the world to another, and – even if she is in Thailand at the moment – this conversation took place via Zoom from Dubai, where she stopped off for some shows.

2023 opens in the name of many new features, including the new album, to be released soon. Can you anticipate something?
“No (laughs, ed.): I never talk about my plans and future projects: I like to surprise the public».

With what state of mind do you face this new challenge?
«For me it is an important step, on which I absolutely want to concentrate also as a producer. I await the release with two very different states of mind: I feel thrilled and very nervous at the same time».

Did you start working on it during the forced stop of the pandemic?
«During the lockdown I repeated to myself that to be creative you need moments in which to do nothing. And so it was: I slowed down and I don’t want to complain about how it went, on the contrary. When you’re always on tour and on the go it’s hard to create: when I travel I just want to relax and watch Netflix».

Looking at her diary, it’s hard to believe that she can stay still or in one place for more than a couple of days. How does she do?
«I have rather iron ethics: I roll up my sleeves and get busy. I prefer facts to words, I don’t waste time, I learn from mistakes, I research, I listen, I look for inspiration, I look closely at other people’s art and I’m not afraid to try new things. I like to challenge myself.”

Is there a “but” coming?
«But if I’m not good at something, I accept it and find something else to do, I don’t insist».

Favorite place of inspiration?
«Museums: art improves my taste, because I consider myself an esthete».

His father is a professor, a self-made man despite very humble origins. Is it from him that his ethics come?
«Yes, he taught me not to waste time, so I think it’s part of my DNA: he received 33 no interviews to become a teacher but he never gave up and today, who is 70 years old, he still repeats to me that giving value to things is crucial. I’m very attached to him because he showed me the value of gratitude, the importance of always thanking, verbally, with a letter or a small gift. That’s why I appreciate the fans and don’t take their support for granted.”

Is it part of the Korean mentality?
«In Korea people are smart and work hard because they always want to excel, but lack self-esteem, instead when you’re good you must first admit it and then know how to value yourself. Instead, this is part of the European mentality that I have internalized after having lived everywhere. Just think that when I arrived in London, at the age of 15, I didn’t know a word of English».

Have you ever thought about giving up in front of obstacles?
«I felt crushed by the pressure many times but I didn’t let it get me down, I know that taking risks is part of the creative process. As they say? If you want the crown, know that it weighs».

Many of his colleagues say that creativity was a way to save himself from shyness. Is that also the case with him?
«Absolutely not: I’ve never been shy, in fact I did everything to attract the attention of others, as a child. I always wanted to be in the front row, perform, show people what I could do, in fact, from an early age I learned to play the piano and dance. Unlike my brother. Yes, he has always been reserved!».

Who were your idols at the time?
«First I would like to make a premise: I’ve never been one of those people who looked at others or famous people thinking “I would like to be like him or like her”. No, I just wanted to always be myself. However, as a child I admired the talent of pop stars like Britney Spears, Madonna and Beyoncé. When, for example, I collaborated on Magnum with Kylie Minogue it was incredible for me. Her music is timeless: longevity is a quality I try to have in my career too. If I think that twenty years ago in her videos she showed support for the LGBT + community, it seems incredible to me. And you know what? In person she is even better: prettier, humble and affectionate than you can imagine ».

It is evident that she never enters «fan mode», not even in front of her idols, but is there an artist that you have met recently and that has amazed you?
“Lenny Kravitz. And I’m not saying that because he always looks amazing and never gets old. We were at dinner and I noticed he didn’t eat, so I asked him why. He replied that he is part of self-discipline and that really struck me ».

She was a guest in Milan of Vanity Fair Stories. What is your relationship with our country?
«Italy is a place that I have always visited, one of my biggest markets, a place that makes an artist feel loved and appreciated. The crowd is loyal, as I’ve come to understand since the first time, in 2015, when I started in a club with less than a hundred people. The room wasn’t even sold out but my Italian entourage told me to be calm because you grow with your fans, you create a bond that then continues over time. I trusted: now I know all the regions, I also go back on holiday and I feel an affection that I never take for granted. I have also developed my little rituals and from Naples, for example, I bring buffalo mozzarella with me. In my opinion, the best cuisine in the world is that of Puglia, which is a land with an incredible soul and sound. To be honest, I believe that part of my music is inspired by the Italian house and disco of the past, even before techno».

His interests span many different fields. Have you ever thought about cinema?
«I would be a good actress, why not? I like to experiment, perhaps on a set with Timothée Chalamet».

Something she does less well?
“I would not know. I’m good at many things, for example tennis, but there is always room for improvement. Like in the kitchen: I would like to learn Italian dishes, but as long as they are simple and quick».

I know you don’t like labels, but do you consider yourself a feminist?
«Every woman in her life has experienced sexism but there is no need to use the label of feminism, better a less aggressive definition and greater support between us. It’s more difficult for the female gender to be in the world but now I’ve learned to deal with it. How? If they disrespect me, I talk back, raise my voice, write emails and make sure I’m not ignored. Ditto for racism and injustices in general: maybe it won’t help to get an apology, to make them admit they were wrong but maybe next time they’ll learn not to do it again. On the other hand, it is taught with facts: no gesture is small”.

Photo by Saskia Lawaks

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