Key Moments
Peggy Gou | Full Q&A at The Oxford Union
Oxford UnionKey Moments
Peggy Gou transitioned from fashion to music, facing industry skepticism as a female DJ, but used criticism to fuel her success and broaden her sonic palette in Berlin. Her journey highlights the challenges and triumphs of carving a unique path in the creative world.
Key Insights
Peggy Gou initially pursued fashion styling but realized she only enjoyed styling herself, leading her to explore music production.
She faced significant obstacles as a young female DJ, including her opinions not being valued and facing rumors that others were producing her music.
Moving to Berlin significantly upgraded her music taste, particularly deepening her understanding and appreciation for techno music beyond her initial house and disco preference.
Glastonbury 2019 and her large-scale curation party at Printworks London, attended by over 5,000 people, stand out as particularly emotional and unforgettable gigs.
She credits artists like Andrew Weatherall, DJ Harvey, and Lauren Garnier not only as musical inspirations but as examples of career paths she wishes to follow.
Peggy Gou's fashion line, KIRIN, aims to empower wearers with confidence, drawing inspiration from her personal style preferences like pajamas, prints, and sets.
Discovering music after fashion school
Peggy Gou's initial foray into the creative industry was through fashion school, where she aimed to become a stylist. However, she quickly realized that her passion was limited to styling herself, finding the process of styling others less engaging. This realization coincided with her discovery of music and nightlife culture in London. Her commitment to music grew to the point where she began skipping university classes to focus on production. This period marked a pivotal shift, leading her to fail her course and prompting her parents to support her continued study in London, signaling her definitive move away from fashion towards a career in music.
Overcoming industry obstacles as a female artist
The path to recognition in the music industry was not smooth for Peggy Gou, especially as a young female DJ and producer. She openly discussed facing significant obstacles, including her opinions not being valued and encountering skepticism from others who doubted her capabilities. Rumors circulated that her music was produced by someone else, or that her success was merely due to luck or fame. This criticism, however, served as a powerful motivator, fueling her determination to prove doubters wrong and exceed expectations. She views these challenges not as deterrents but as catalysts for her work, emphasizing that proving people wrong is a deeply satisfying experience.
The transformative impact of Berlin on musical taste
Relocating to Berlin proved to be a major turning point in Peggy Gou's musical development. Previously rooted in house and disco, Berlin's vibrant music scene exposed her to a broader spectrum of sounds, most notably techno. Working in a record store during her initial year in the city was instrumental in educating her palate, exposing her to diverse genres and artists. While she initially gravitated towards the house and disco played in Panorama Bar, she gradually began to explore and appreciate the techno played downstairs. This immersion in Berlin's electronic music landscape significantly upgraded her taste and expanded her understanding of music, particularly embracing techno as a genre she came to deeply appreciate.
Memorable performances and career milestones
Throughout her career, Peggy Gou has experienced numerous unforgettable gigs. Glastonbury, where the phenomenon of people shouting 'Peggy Gou!' happened organically, and attendees danced to her music, remains a cherished memory. The Boiler Room set also marked a significant step in her career. More recently, her own curated party at Printworks in London, which drew over 5,000 attendees, was an intensely emotional experience, bringing her to tears. Playing at Potato Head in Bali, sharing the stage with DJ Harvey, was another highlight. These experiences underscore her connection with diverse audiences and her growth as a performer.
Inspirations and guiding figures
Peggy Gou draws inspiration from a select group of artists who serve as more than just musical influences; they are exemplars of careers she aspires to emulate. She specifically mentions Andrew Weatherall, DJ Harvey, and Lauren Garnier as crucial figures. The impact of meeting Andrew Weatherall after her first show in Sydney, where he complimented one of her mixes, left a lasting impression. This affirmation from an artist she admired underscored the significance of mentorship and the encouragement artists can offer each other, shaping her perspective on her own career trajectory.
The art of DJing: balancing crowd and personal vision
When performing, Peggy Gou emphasizes the importance of adapting each set to the specific crowd, venue, and time. While she acknowledges the utility of tools like Rekordbox for tracking sets, she consciously avoids using its history feature, inspired by DJ Harvey's philosophy of not becoming lazy. Her core DJing philosophy is to provide the crowd with 50% of what they want while incorporating 50% of her own artistic vision. This balance is crucial for creating a dynamic and engaging experience, ensuring that no two sets are ever the same and that the DJ takes the audience on a journey rather than simply playing a predictable sequence.
Championing gender equality and emerging artists
Peggy Gou is actively involved in initiatives aimed at supporting female artists and promoting gender equality in the music industry. Through campaigns like the one with Smirnoff, she has mentored aspiring female DJs and producers, offering guidance on everything from beatmatching to refining their sets. This passion for giving back extends to her own label, Gudu, which she founded to support emerging artists, particularly those facing the same breakthrough challenges she experienced. Her label aims to provide a platform for artists to realize their vision, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more inclusive and supportive music ecosystem.
KIRIN: fashion as self-expression and confidence
Peggy Gou's fashion line, KIRIN, is an extension of her personal style and creative ethos. She designs with the intention that people wear her clothes with confidence, aiming for an effortless yet impactful aesthetic. Her collections often feature elements she personally loves, such as pajamas, bold prints, and two-piece sets like tropical shirts. The inspiration for her designs and color palettes comes from various sources, including her travels to places like Japan. The line is characterized by its unique blend of comfort and statement pieces, encouraging wearers to express themselves authentically and feel empowered.
Social media's dual role: engagement and scrutiny
Peggy Gou views social media, particularly Instagram, as a powerful tool for engagement with her audience. She actively reads comments and direct messages, fostering a connection with her fans. However, she is also aware of the complexities and potential downsides, including the pressure for constant engagement and the scrutiny that comes with a public profile. An anecdote from Bali, where she posted about collecting plastic on the beach and faced criticism, highlights how even positive actions can attract negative attention. This experience has led her to focus on channeling negative energy into positive action and exploring solutions like carbon offsetting for her travel.
Bridging music and fashion industries
Initially, Peggy Gou felt a disconnect between the music and fashion industries, believing she might have to abandon fashion to be taken seriously as a musician. However, over time, she has come to see them as interconnected rather than mutually exclusive. She no longer distinguishes between the two, embracing her multifaceted identity as an artist involved in both music production and fashion design. This evolution reflects a broader shift in her perspective, where she feels empowered to pursue both passions without compromising her artistic integrity or facing judgment. Her approach is now about seamless integration, allowing her creative spirit to flow across different mediums.
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Common Questions
Peggy Gou initially pursued fashion and worked as a stylist but realized she only enjoyed styling herself. She discovered production and music production simultaneously, which led her to abandon fashion and focus on her music career.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
Andrew Weatherall was a significant inspiration to Peggy Gou, and she recommends listening to his mixes.
Peggy Gou had the opportunity to work with producer Maris Fulton on her label Guddu.
A documentary by Taylor Swift revealed sexism in the music industry, a topic relevant to Peggy Gou's experiences.
DJ Harvey is an artist Peggy Gou looks up to for inspiration and as an example of how to navigate the industry.
Craig Green is a fashion designer whose work Peggy Gou looks up to.
Peggy Gou's favorite synthesizer is the Roland Jupiter-6.
Peggy Gou admires Phoebe Philo's work at Celine.
The Roland TR-606 is mentioned as one of Peggy Gou's favorite drum machines.
Peggy Gou owns an MPC 3000 drum machine but admits she doesn't know how to use it.
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