Creative Frequency

In this episode, we sit down with Pierce aka Raphael, a London-based multidisciplinary designer, illustrator, DJ, and music producer whose work bridges impactful design and soulful soundscapes.With over 8 years of experience across agencies and in-house teams, Pierce shares what it means to tell stories through design, illustration, animation, and print, while also building a global music community with over 33 million streams and 120K+ followers.We unpack the meaning of socially-driven design, the challenges of freelancing in a saturated industry, and how DJing has shaped his creative process across disciplines. From his Barbican exhibition to international gigs in NYC and Venice, Pierce reflects on the lessons learned from marathon training, creative burnout, and shifting into full-time music production.Expect real talk on creative discipline, impostor syndrome, and the rituals that help him stay grounded.Follow Creative Frequency on other platforms:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our newsletter, Creative Capsules: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Pierce aka Raphael:⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠TikTok⁠Word logo artwork@‌annafastova@‌nfastova_visuals

In this episode of Creative Frequency, I'm joined by Zambian-Northern Irish illustrator, designer, and artist Aislinn F, whose work boldly reclaims space for complex identities through the lens of Afrofuturism.Through intricate illustrations, Aislinn creates visual vessels that explore the layered intersections of race, gender, culture, and belonging.She opens up about her personal journey, growing up between cultures, the impact of displacement, and how these experiences shaped her creative voice.We discuss the power of illustration as resistance, the responsibility of representation, and the role of Afrofuturism in imagining expansive futures for Black women. Aislinn also shares insights into her recent award as Emerging Digital Artist of 2024 and her upcoming collaboration with St Albans Museum to spotlight Black historical narratives.Whether you're an artist, a storyteller, or someone navigating your own multifaceted identity, this conversation is a reminder of how art can hold space for truth, healing, and unapologetic visibility.Follow Creative Frequency on other platforms:⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our newsletter, Creative Capsules: ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠Learn more about Aislinn F:⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠Word logo artwork@‌annafastova@‌nfastova_visuals

In this episode of Creative Frequency, we’re joined by NYC-based regenerative textile designer, creative director, and mycologist Helena Elston, whose work is redefining the future of fashion through circular design, material innovation, and ecological thinking.Helena shares her journey, from studying at the Royal College of Art to building a practice that transforms deadstock and waste textiles into wearable pieces infused with life, including living systems like mycelium.We explore the spiritual and scientific dimensions of working with fungi, the challenges of confronting fast fashion’s disposability, and the patience required to honour regenerative cycles in a world addicted to speed.From her internationally exhibited collections to collaborations with conscious brands, Helena offers a powerful vision of fashion that not only sustains but restores. Whether you’re a designer, environmentalist, or curious creator, this conversation invites you to rethink what fashion can be and what it should return to.Mentioned:Generated by AIMycelium has the potential to be antibacterial, but the extent and spectrum of this activity vary based on species and conditions. Various studies have shown that certain types of mycelium can produce compounds that inhibit the growth of bacteria.Follow Creative Frequency on other platforms:⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our newsletter, Creative Capsules: ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠Learn more about Helena Elston:⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠Word logo artwork@‌annafastova@‌nfastova_visuals

In this episode, I continue the conversation with London-born musician, producer, and performing artist Love Ssega, where we discuss the role of art in activism, mental health, and artistic influences and inspirations.Follow Creative Frequency on other platforms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Creative Capsules: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Love Ssega: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Website⁠⁠⁠Word logo artwork @‌annafastova@‌nfastova_visuals

In this episode, musician, producer, and climate justice advocate Love Ssega discusses how his work blends music, public art, and activism to inspire change. From founding the LIVE + BREATHE clean air movement in South London to collaborating with major cultural institutions, Ssega shares how creativity can serve as both a tool for resistance and a vision for a more equitable future.We explore how creativity can be used to create meaningful change within local communities, the responsibility of tech companies in supporting independent artists, and the ethical considerations that arise when collaborating with art institutions.Stay tuned for part 2! Follow Creative Frequency on other platforms:⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Creative Capsules: ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠Learn more about Love Ssega:⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠Word logo artwork @‌annafastova@‌nfastova_visuals

In this episode, we dive into the vibrant world of Waacking with dancer, battle performer, and community leader Myss Tru.Born in the Canaries and based in London, Myss Tru shares how Waacking became more than a dance style — it became a transformative tool for self-expression, healing, and community building. From the underground club scenes to international stages like Red Bull Dance Your Style and World of Dance, her journey is a testament to the power of movement as both personal and cultural language.We unpack the rich history of Waacking (also known as Whacking), its distinctions from Voguing, and how club culture continues to shape identity, community, and resistance. Myss Tru also reflects on the creation of Disconnection Jam, her work mentoring the next generation of dancers, and her academic research into the psychological impact of Waacking.Whether you’re new to the scene or deeply immersed in dance culture, this episode offers a powerful reflection on creative leadership, resilience, and the beauty of moving through life unapologetically.Follow Creative Frequency on other platforms:⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Creative Capsules: ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠Learn more about Myss Tru:⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠Disclaimer ⁠STUDIO 27°⁠⁠ is my business. Any mention of it or its services/products is not considered an official sponsorship. My opinions are honest, and I will always be fully transparent about my affiliations.Word logo artwork @‌annafastova / @‌nfastova_visuals

In this episode, I sit down with award-winning photographer Kim Lang to explore the power of visual storytelling and the role of photography in shaping cultural memory. Known for his bold, theatrical portraits and deep-rooted narratives, Kim takes us on a journey from his early influences, shaped by travel, heritage, and academia, to his current practice redefining contemporary photography.We dive into the stories behind his standout projects, Odyssey of Reconnection and Nations of the Atlantic, unpack the intersection of documentary and theatrical styles in his work, his views on the ethical responsibility of photographers, and what it means to tell the truth through image.Kim also opens up about the challenges of working in fashion and portraiture, the emotional depth of his work, and the importance of capturing identity and heritage with care and intention.Whether you're a photographer, creative, or simply curious about the stories behind powerful imagery, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the art of capturing the unseen.Follow Creative Frequency on other platforms:⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Creative Capsules: ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠Learn more about Kim Lang:⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠TikTokDisclaimer ⁠STUDIO 27°⁠⁠ is my business. Any mention of it or its services/products is not considered an official sponsorship. My opinions are honest, and I will always be fully transparent about my affiliations.Word logo artwork @‌annafastova / @‌nfastova_visuals

Join me as I sit down with Savannah Simms. A trailblazer in the music industry known for her dynamic DJ sets and her impact on community engagement.In this episode, Savannah shares her journey from working behind the scenes as an artist liaison to taking center stage as a full-time DJ.Discover how her passion for music and commitment to social advocacy have intertwined, allowing her to use her platform to champion inclusivity and celebrate diverse cultures through her electrifying performances.Savannah discusses the challenges and triumphs of her transition into a full-time DJ career, her strategies for maintaining sobriety in the nightlife scene, and her initiatives to create inclusive and supportive spaces within the music community. She also opens up about her most memorable performances, from high-energy sets at Glastonbury to intimate gigs at community-driven events.Tune in to hear how Savannah Simms uses her decks to mix tracks and blend cultures and foster unity, making her a pivotal figure in shaping a more inclusive music industry.Follow Creative Frequency on other platforms:⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our Creative Frequency newsletter: ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠Learn more about Savannah Simms:⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠Disclaimer ⁠STUDIO 27°⁠⁠ is my business. Any mention of it or its services/products is not considered an official sponsorship. My opinions are honest, and I will always be fully transparent about my affiliations.Word logo artwork @‌annafastova / @‌nfastova_visuals

In this episode, I’m joined by the incredibly talented SAKI, a London-based Japanese fine artist whose powerful paintings redefine the portrayal of womanhood. SAKI brings her unique blend of traditional Japanese influences and modern artistic expression to discuss the deep themes that drive her creations.From her early days experimenting with street art to her evolution into a fine artist, SAKI shares her journey of artistic growth and transformation.SAKI's work is a celebration of the female form, imbued with a mystique and sensuality that both challenges and charms viewers.She opens up about the inspirations behind her enigmatic paintings, and how the female figure emerges not just as a subject of beauty but as a beacon of strength and vulnerability. With no formal art training, her ability to capture the essence of femme mystique through colours, flowing lines, and intriguing expressions is nothing short of remarkable.Follow Creative Frequency on other platforms:⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our newsletter: ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠Learn more about SAKI:⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠Disclaimer ⁠STUDIO 27°⁠⁠ is my business. Any mention of it or its services/products is not considered an official sponsorship. My opinions are honest, and I will always be fully transparent about my affiliations.Word logo artwork @‌annafastova / @‌nfastova_visuals

Join me as I learn about the world of Donna Poderosa, a London-based burlesque artist renowned for her versatile and mesmerising performances. In this conversation, Donna opens up about her journey from an aspiring performer to a celebrated figure in the burlesque scene. Discover how her mixed heritage enriches her acts, bringing a unique blend of passion, rhythm, and dramatic flair to the stage.She discusses her creative process from concept to costume to performance, revealing how she crafts her high-energy routines to captivate and connect with her audience. Donna also shares the challenges and triumphs of being a performer and the importance of producing community-focused events that celebrate and carve a space for the next generation of burlesque artists.Through her story, we explore the cultural misconceptions surrounding burlesque, the evolution of this art form, and its role in promoting diversity and inclusion. Episode Disclaimer:Please note that there are some audio fluctuations in this episode due to technical difficulties. You might still need to adjust your volume occasionally for a better listening experience. We've done our best to minimise these issues. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding.Follow Creative Frequency on other platforms:⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our newsletter:⁠Substack⁠Learn more about Donna Poderosa:⁠Instagram⁠⁠Website⁠Disclaimer⁠STUDIO 27°⁠ is my business. Any mention of it or its services/products is not considered an official sponsorship. My opinions are honest, and I will always be fully transparent about my affiliations.Word logo artwork @‌annafastova / @‌nfastova_visuals