Lekker Collective + Majestic Casual Sessions: 001

Against the current world context of sociopolitical madness, any opportunity to be swaddled in good feels and lovely humans (where people from all backgrounds, places and cultures are embraced) is a welcome one – not least when musical goodness, soul foods and art appreciation are in the mix.

Last weekend's Lekker session supplied aaall the goods. Created by extra talented lady queen Donna Arendse – and with the support of her three-woman team of fellow lady queens – Lekker Collective is, in Donna's words, "a family of musicians and creatives working with music." Sidestepping the mainstream music industry's often fickle and superficial nature, the Lekker crew goes far beyond surface level when it comes to supporting rising artists. 

As the "Collective" segment of the name suggests, Lekker exudes a familial, inclusive vibe that in turn has attracted – and continues to attract – lovely likeminded types with a mutual appreciation for musical and spiritual realness. And the offline events epitomise this entirely. 

Hosted in Neukölln's aesthetically-on-point Studio Chérie, the sweet Sunday session was bigger, but no less intimate than Lekker's earlier offerings. The afternoon kicked off casually with an abundant selection of homemade foods (lentil dhal and banana bread were involved), keenly priced drinks, a stellar playlist and good conversation. 

Far from pretentious or intimidatingly "cool," the crowd was made up of open, diverse and stylish-in-their-own-way individuals who – rather than constantly looking at their phones – were largely focused on the people in front of their faces. When the first act, Hugh, took to the neon-lit stage, Donna politely hinted the need to shhh during the performance – a little r-e-s-p-e-c-t for the artists please. From the off, the London-based group had an infectiously uplifting energy, with meaningful lyrics and killer moves to boot. 

After a 30 minute break to have a drink, chat and eat some more, it was the turn of another talented group hailing from the UK: Lyves. Made up of four multi-instrumental friends (feat. powerhouse female lead Francesca), the band provided yet another fix of soulful, feel-good sounds and deservedly earned the warmest of receptions from the crowd in return. The evening finished up with an afterparty set by Berlin-based SugaBoy, who mixed tune after tune (after tune etc.) – the dance floor full of energy, but with enough room to actually move.

While the event was grounded in the quality music being showcased, it was very much an all-encompassing celebration of art, style and creativity – from the beautiful exhibition of illustrator Niti Marcelle Mueth to the cute display of fresh Lekker merch, which was also launched on the night. 

In other words: If Lekker Collective represents the future of the music industry, I'm listening.

A space of one's own

Although there's an intrinsic impermanence associated with every physical space we inhabit – our own bodies being the only true “home” we reside in for our life’s entirety – the act of creating a soul soothing space we repeatedly return to is, to me, an immeasurable kinda pleasure. It's palpable, visceral; a place of solace and respite, imbued with everyday rituals and one-off memories. 

At its core, a sense of home isn’t material in nature: it’s a feeling. And however small, big, or (im)permanent your current physical space may be, it’s in your power to make that feeling a good one. Of course, only you can define this – it's a sensation entirely idiosyncratic; unique to you. 

Whether it was my first little Berlin flat two years ago, the uni room I settled in last year, or the more longterm Berlin apartment in which I currently reside, one thread has remained consistent: each and every space has encompassed a pot-pourri of elements that characterise and reflect me, in all my eccentricities. 

Life’s an uncertain little thing. There’s so much we encounter in our daily lives – people, scenarios, energies – that are entirely out of our control (and can occasionally have an undesirable impact on our internal state). This is where your sacred space swoops in and saves the day, quite often in a very literal sense: it restores your baseline, your default setting. It’s a place to reset, recharge and be entirely yourself. 

This is why solo living is the ideal scenario for an introverted soul like me. Since I’m able to immediately ground myself upon each return, my little one person apartment is a fundamental that lays the foundations for my character outside the private sphere – that is, it reinstates my energy, wellbeing and the inner contentedness I seek to maintain, equipping me for the more uncontrollable elements of the public sphere. 

Home means something different to everyone, and even your own definition will ebb and flow over time. The household accompaniments we value, and material space we inhabit may indeed change, but one trait will remain constant: that warm feeling of return is something you simply can’t put a price on.

A visual diary: Salpal + Siblet pay a visit

Full time independence and expat livin' comes with all kindsa perks, but there's no doubt about it: a good dose of your "people" and some R&R every now and then are very much required. While having a super-tight-knit triangle of a family unit is a total blessing (and one which I'm very grateful for), being away from the ol' homeland is a little trickier when you'd – in an ideal world – be spending far more time hanging out with yo' nearest and dearest. 

Not that this makes me wanna rush back to LDN just yet (not at all in fact), but there are times when having the best of both worlds would be just swell. Ever the idealist. Needless to say, when my favourite ladies came to town the other week, it gave me a much needed boost; a chance to spend some proper, quality time together and recharge my batteries after a mad few months to say the least. 

For a spot of context, see here 'n' here. 

After a few darlin' days hanging as a three, Salpal headed back to her working world, leaving the much missed sis and I to get up to our old antics as a lil duo. After over 4 months without my best gal, it was all the more lovely to just chill in each other's company. Indeed, a short but sweet week was all it took to get me fully feeling myself again: I've been on a fam-induced high ever since.