Aiko – Cleopatra

By starrymag | April 3, 2025

By: Kelly Kearney

 

 

Q) For fans in the U.S. who might not yet be familiar with your music, how would you describe your sound?

A) I like to jokingly call it dramatic pop! I love contrast and use it in my music quite a lot. A little love child of all of the 2013 alt scene starts like The Neighbourhood, Halsey, Arctic Monkeys and Marina and the Diamonds.

Q) European audiences already know you from your high-energy self-love anthem Pedestal, which won you a spot as the Czech representative in the Eurovision Song Contest. Is there a story behind that song and the empowering message behind the lyrics “I will be loving me more” that you might share with the fans hearing it for the first time?

A) I wrote this song when I was really angry, it’s a break up song. I was leaving a 3-year long relationship, but me leaving was long overdue. I wrote this for myself, sort of as a reminder that it’s time to stand up, know my worth and keep pushing for something better. Little did I know that this song will not only give me an amazing opportunity to represent my country in Eurovision, but also my healthiest relationship! I met my partner in Eurovision, she was competing against me, representing a different country.

Q) How has the song resonated with fans, particularly in terms of its message of self-empowerment?

A) I would say so! A lot of people reached out to me saying that this song got them through some tough times. I had people coming up to me after my gigs telling me that the songs empowered them after breakups. It always really warms my heart to hear stories like this because that’s the reason why I create it in the first place – to connect with people.

Q) In 2025 you released “Cleopatra,” accompanied by a visually stunning music video that strikes a bold mix of visuals, intricate costuming and powerful vocals. How important is visual storytelling in your music?

A) Thank you! Yes, I love visuals and storytelling. I feel like it’s a very important part of music, especially in this day and age. You get to create a whole visual identity, artistic voice and I love that. It’s like dress up for adults. To be very honest, though, I don’t consume as much as I create – I enjoy creating and coming up with interesting visuals, but I rarely watch videos of other artists myself. 

Q) Did you have creative input into the concept and wardrobe choices? 

A) [laughs] I was doing the styling for the whole thing! There’s a certain beauty in DIY things; you have the full say in everything creative and I enjoy that process a lot. I collaborated with an amazing fashion designer, Monika Łuczak, who borrowed us clothing for the whole shoot. Kiti Woolich, the mastermind behind the visuals, is amazingly talented and I have to say that she fully understood my vision when I said I wanted something that screams confidence and empowerment, combined with elegance. She just got it!

Q) Every musician has that defining moment—whether it’s hearing a song, seeing a performance, or discovering an artist—that sparks their passion for music. What was that moment for you?

A) That’s a great question, which I’m not sure how to answer. [smiles] It feels like I just always knew? I have videos on my parents’ old VHS camera of me dancing and singing while pointing at myself in the mirror saying, “You dance girllll!” when I was about three years old. I used to “sell” tickets to my parents for my living room performances when I was about six or seven years old. By thirteen years old I started writing and singing, so it’s always been a part of my life. I just know that in my teenage years I stumbled upon Halsey’s live performance video and was completely mesmerised, thinking that I want to have this stage presence when I grow up.

Q) Let’s talk about your rise in the music industry—your journey has been truly Aikonic, just like the title of your 2024 album. With over 12 million streams, a Times Square billboard, and millions of new fans from Eurovision, was there a moment when you realized, “Wow, this is really happening”?

A) Awww! [laughs] Thank you! Since my career hasn’t been an overnight success, but rather a slow build into something bigger, when achieving things I often struggle with feeling like I should’ve been at this point earlier and I’m just finally doing a good job in my work — completely silly, I know. [smiles] But with that said, Times Square was definitely one of them. It was a childhood dream come true. And Eurovision, of course! From live gigs, we sold out a show in London last year and it felt amazing – I moved to London when I was nineteen years old to pursue a career in music and the feeling of people caring, buying tickets and showing up hours before the show, queueing for it? Irreplaceable. 

Q) Playing at a festival as renowned as SXSW is a milestone in any artist’s career. How did it feel when you got the news? 

A) It was totally unexpected and amazing! My manager called me with the news saying that she managed to arrange the performance and I was extremely excited! At the same time I was a bit worried because that meant taking care of all the Visa and logistics and details, but it’s the good kind of busy. [smiles] It means a lot to play in the US and I would hope this is the first of many. SXSW was on my vision board for years. [laughs]

Q) Did you approach these showcases differently than you would a typical performance? 

A) Not really, a gig is a gig. [smiles] I interact the same way I would at a normal gig – I might have a little less feedback from the people, but that doesn’t stop me. [laughs] The only different approach is that I invite professionals to see me live and chit chat, but that’s it.

Q) Are there particular songs you’re especially excited to play live?

A) Hmmm, I have to say that excitement from playing a song live comes to me after playing it many times! It’s figuring out which emotion I want to convey while being on stage, how I want to move and interact with the listeners. So, the latest addition was “Cleopatra.” It’s been fun and I’m still figuring things out.

Q) SXSW is filled with incredible artists from all over the world. Were there any performances that stood out to you while you were there?

A) I was a bit busy preparing, performing and running from meeting to meeting, so unfortunately there wasn’t a lot of time to catch different performances for me, as I still had to find some time to rest in between to preserve my energy. But…We saw Los Eclipses. Their song “Elodie” went straight into my playlist and has been on daily rotation. I also caught Beth McCarthy. She was great; I knew her music from before.

Q) You’ve spoken on social media about the challenges of being a DIY artist, especially when it comes to touring. While there are financial and logistical hurdles, you’ve continued booking more live shows. What is it about performing live that makes it all worthwhile for you?

A) What makes it all worthwhile and fuels my love for live performance is the interaction with fans. It’s hearing the people sing your lyrics back to you, seeing the excitement in their eyes when you speak and interact -, it’s feeling what song works live and what doesn’t. It’s being fully present and in the moment like nowhere else – you can maybe even call it a form of meditation. [smiles] But touring is definitely hard and not for the weak ones! [laughs] Lots and lots of hours on the road, living out of a suitcase, can get pretty hard financially. 

Q) Is there a city or venue on your upcoming tour that you’re particularly excited to play?

A) Hmm, all of them really! Texas was an amazing way to start our second round of tour. Poland always has amazing energy. It’s my first time doing a headline gig in the town I call home – Brighton – and generally play around the UK. It’s always amazing to come back to Prague. So, in short, all of them!

Q) You were recently announced as the headliner for Czech National Day at Expo 2025 in Osaka. How does it feel to represent your country on such a global stage?

A) Yes, we are! Super excited to be back in Japan. I went there when I was seventeen years old to visit. It was one of my dream destinations, just like for many of us. It inspired my stage name and it’s amazing to be back but with my music this time. And, of course, the biggest part of it being that it’s a massive honor to represent my country abroad, especially at such a grandiose event. I’m fortunate enough to be picked by the Czech Republic and super excited to start coming up with the actual staging and details for the performance.

Q) Are you back in the studio at all working on new music?

A) Oh definitely! Trying to balance touring and creating, I have recently been back in the studio creating more new music. You’ll hear a lot from me this year. [laughs] I have a project cooking in my mind that I’m really excited about.

Q) Finally, what would you like to say to both the fans who have been with you from the beginning and the new listeners who discovered you at SXSW?

A) Thank you, you have all my love and heart! ❤️