Photo Credit: Den Porvatkin

Every one in awhile you come across someone that makes you wish you had more time. More time to book a tour inside their head because they come at you with such insight, that a few questions back and forth just doesn’t seem like enough. That’s the case with Barbara Panther. A feminist with African roots and a beautiful note about almost everything you toss her way. It was more than a pleasure to exchange words with this songstress and we at ZO cannot wait to hear what’s next from her.

Kendra: You mentioned your Rwandan roots. How have those played a role in how you approach not only your music but your everyday life?

Barbara Panther: I tend to call my music African futuristic pop. I like to mix electronics with natural sounds, technology with nature so to speak; the digital with the organic. In my everyday life, I try to stay as close as possible to my African roots even though I grew up in Europe.
Having been to Rwanda has completely changed my view of life.

To me Africa is like an oracle, speaking directly to your core, revealing your place in this life on earth. Stripping you of all that isn’t necessary anymore and making you understand the essentials. When I hear people complaining about small material things they want or they don’t have I roll my eyes and think to myself, “You should go visit Africa and see how you feel then.” I try not to complain too much and not want what I don’t have or need.

Kendra: Women, well some women, have only had the right to vote for a little over 100 years and in your latest single, “Feminine,” you speak of women and their power here on earth. With that, why do you feel our power in the U.S. has always been somewhat muted and ignored

Barbara Panther: The fear of losing power is deeply rooted in some men. They envy the fact a woman has the power to carry life and therefore, has a stronger connection with the earth and the universe in general. The ego of some men will go through great lengths to keep their power alive even if that means war and destruction and telling women they don’t have a voice, but times they are changing.

The earth as we know it and as I see it is female. She carries and creates life. She nurtures and feeds all that is. I believe it is time to reconnect to the mother of all mothers again because when she suffers, we suffer. We haven’t shown her a lot of respect. We have taken, borrowed, stolen, but haven’t given anything in return besides destruction and death. By reconnecting with the earth we reconnect with female energy and feminine vibration. It’s time to reset. Our lives have been dominated by male energy and as a result…well, look around you. So it is time for that to change, time to embrace and accept that to save this place we might need the help of a woman.

Kendra: Do you hope “Feminine” can also lead to people realizing the importance of the world around them?

Barbara Panther: When I wrote this track I wasn’t thinking about how other people would receive it. To me, it is my Ode to the earth, a personal love song, a letter, to tell her that I feel her pain, her power, her selflessness. A promise that I will try to do better in giving her the respect she deserves and restore what has been polluted…RESET!

When I wrote the song it was like looking into a crystal ball, straight into her womb into her ocean, the very place that birthed us the place we in return destroy. That is my observation and if with “Feminine” others understand what I see then that’s fine for me.

Kendra: Listeners can hear this song on your second album. What other themes came about while you were penning this record?

Barbara Panther: The universe, the animal kingdom, the human condition, the state of affairs.

Kendra: Right now you’re living between Berlin and New York City. Do you get different creative vibes depending on where you’re waking up that day?

Barbara Panther: Yes and no. Of course, each city has its own energy and vibration that makes me feel and react differently. Each vibration makes you observe and absorb things in their own unique way. But in the end, all that you experience ends up being filtered through your veins, your self. I guess the basis is always naked, you just dress up differently.

Kendra: Can you let the people know what you have going on in the coming months? Local shows? Touring?

Barbara Panther: I recorded a part for a musical and once the mastering is done will continue that project. I am in talks to go to Rwanda for shows and to make a documentary. As for my album, I hope that soon I will be able to come back to New York, and of course, here in Europe and share my new work.