Sweet Escape: an Interview with Disco Shrine, aka Persian Barbie

Disco Shrine, aka Persian Barbie, is the LA based, pop spark plug known for being a songwriter, world traveling DJ, and event curator. Disco Shrine released her debut single 'Up In The Air' in 2018 through French label Kitsune in partnership with the NBA. The electro-pop track was inspired by her parents' immigration story to America from Iran. 'Up in the Air' has touched global audiences receiving acclaim, charted in numerous countries including Spain, Greece, France, and Sweden as well as being played at major retailers including H&M, Zara, Uniqlo and Kitsune. To support the release, Disco Shrine curated a series of pop up events in unconventional locations such as Laundromats, Barber Shops, and Mattress Stores to advocate for immigrant rights. Her latest single, Wanna Get Away, is the first of many singles coming out leading up to her debut EP in the summer!

Tell us about your song, “Wanna Get Away” and your idea behind it!

My new song is called “Wanna Get Away” and I thought it was the perfect song to release right now because it's all about using escapism as a way to deal with your problems. I know it’s not the best way to deal with things, but I think it tends to be a go-to for a lot of people. I know for me, it's been a solace to imagine all of the things that I could do, when quarantine is over and think about the things that I missed doing and how I want to do those things again. It’s about that nostalgic feeling of wanting to escape and do all the things that you never did before but also go back to the things that you love and appreciate them more.

Where does the name Disco Shrine come from?

It came super randomly! I was talking to a friend about this art piece where someone was breaking glass and mirrors, and they would put them back together in different shapes and forms. I thought “Oh my gosh, it's like a disco shrine!” At the time I was trying to find a cool name for myself and as I started writing more, I felt like it was so perfect because a lot of my music is passionate. It’s not holy, but the idea of a shrine is really spiritual and passionate. At the same time, I want it to be a party and I want people to have fun and dance. I just want to spread good times and good vibes and so I feel like it's a perfect contradiction between the two of those.

How did you start your music career?

I used to be really folky when I first started writing music. I wore floppy hats, long floral dresses from thrift shops, had long curly hair and used to listen to Fleet Foxes.

I started making really sad folk music, and it was so much fun and a nice way to get all of my angst out, but when I would play shows a lot of people looked sad because my music was sad. I was tired of spreading that kind of energy so I took some time off and figured out what I wanted my sound to be. In that time I started DJing at parties and experimented, wrote, and worked with a lot of different musicians and writers. I figured out what I wanted my sound to be and then that's when I released my song, “Up in the Air”.

Who inspired you to make music?

When I was 11, my older sister took me to my first ever concert and it was a Madonna concert. We were all dancing and I honestly feel like that was the beginning for me. Gwen Stefani is also a huge inspiration for me. I've loved her so much since I was a kid and I love that she’s so fearless with everything. She also contrasts a girly girl style with tomboy style and I feel like that's so me. However, Madonna was definitely the start of it all and it was meant to be.

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

It's pop, but I feel like that's such a generic way to describe it. I think the thing with me is that I have always loved experimenting, whether it's with fashion, art, photography, and especially music. I don't ever want to put boundaries on myself because I love collaborating and being inspired by other music and people. I think because of that reason, I make what inspires me and what speaks true to myself. My aesthetic is constantly evolving and there's definitely some true things that I stick to, such as being a “tomgirl”. I'll experiment with being more girly and sexy with some of my releases and music but I still have this punk vibe that I feel like I grew up with. I love contrasting things and if that's an aesthetic, then that's my aesthetic.

How did you end up getting signed to a French label opposed to an American label?

I'm not with them anymore but I did my first release with Kitsune. Kitsune is a clothing brand/music label and they were really popular when I was younger. They broke Years and Years, Two Door Cinema Club, and were responsible for a ton of indie UK bands. I followed them for the longest time and I would always listen to their playlists and find new music through them. When I released my new song, a friend of a friend knew someone at Kitsune, who was the A&R there. I sent an email to them and they got back to me saying they loved my song and at the time, they were doing a collaboration with the NBA and asked me to be a part of it. They flew me out to New York and I performed at their launch party.

You describe yourself as a “Persian Barbie”. Where did that label come from?

I feel like it’s my alter ego and performance persona. I dyed my hair blonde a year and a half ago, and ever since then, I’ve felt so free. It sounds so silly but I felt like something that was inside of me could finally come out and I embraced the diva inside of me. My first song, “Up in the Air”, was about my parents immigrating to America so I'm very proud of where I came from and my Persian heritage.

Was your family always supportive of your career choice?

It’s so difficult because there is so much pressure on you when you're a first-generation American. My parents struggled and, in turn, they don’t want me to struggle.

I'm really lucky because my mom has always been supportive of me, and she just wants what's best for me. After I wrote “Up in the Air” and my parents saw what it was about and what it was inspired by, I think that secretly made them proud.

They're appreciative of me and my art, but I think that with the Persian culture there's always gonna be an underlying feeling of needing to be a doctor or a lawyer. I still feel that today, but I'm blessed and lucky that my parents are supportive.

How did you balance going to school at UCLA and your music?

It’s hard because college is so crazy, you're under so much pressure, and forced to try to become successful. I think what people don't realize is that the arts help you do better. When you have some sort of an outlet like that, it's going to help your overall performance and act as a form of therapy. I put music on the side burner because I was focused on getting straight A’s and what's going to make me money. If I had spent more time writing music, I think that I would have felt happier, less stressed, and gotten fewer wrinkles and gray hairs in college.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I want to be making music still, and I want to be able to make a living off of it. I want to be making music that resonates with people and makes people happy. I really don't care about fame. All I care about is that I'm able to make a living doing what I love and that I'm able to spread some sort of a positive impact on people's lives.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to pursue a creative career?

Knowledge is power. With any sort of art, there are so many pieces that go into it, but if you don't know those pieces or at least try and learn, then you're constantly going to rely on other people. It's empowering if you learn your way around your work and learn the different steps. The second thing that I would say is that there's going to be people out there that don't like what you do. All that matters is that you like what you do. Be confident in your work and don't look towards anybody to validate you.