This article originally appeared on i-D Germany
Why just do one thing when the whole world is at your feet? That’s what Berlin-based producer Peggy Gou thought, with tracks like It Makes You Forget (Iteghane) and Han Jan conquering the hearts of you, your best mate and everyone else you know. Everyone loves Peggy — and with good reason. With her unbeatable house and techno sets, she could make anyone and anything dance. Guaranteed. Last year she played almost 200 shows. An impressive number that you should ruminate on as Peggy offers up some life advice.
It was always Peggy’s goal, by the way, to be the youngest woman and first South Korean ever to play Berghain. She did it, of course. That and so much more. This season during Paris Fashion Week, for example, she launched her own label, Kirin, which is Korean for giraffe. “I’m hyperactive and giraffes reassure me,” she told i-D Germany in an interview last year. She’s also the new face of Nike’s #justgobigger campaign. One more reason to talk to Peggy about the big things in life.
What do you consider to be your biggest achievement so far?
The past year. 2018 was the best year of my life. I’ve achieved so much and been to so many places I’d never been but always wanted to go to. People ask me what it feels like to have “made it” and I always answer, “What do you mean? I’ve just started!”
Do you have any big pre-show rituals?
I have these little moments to pray. I don’t want to go into too much detail right now, but when I’m alone in my room, I appreciate what I have and say thank you… and then drink a bit of GnT, which is what I lovingly call my gin and tonic.
What about some big life advice from Peggy Gou?
I’m currently reading The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson, which is basically telling you not to care about anything. You alone decide what is important to you and what is not. Everything in my life is happening so fast and I’m often scared, feel pressured. I can never really relax, but I’m just learning. My agent always says, “Peggy, you have to stop worrying so much or you will forget to enjoy the moment”. It’s great if you are ambitious and have a big dream. But it’s just as great when you’re both alive in life and enjoying the moment.
What’s one of the biggest fears that you’ve overcome so far?
Big gigs or talks still make me nervous. But worrying is good. Worrying means that you care. I remember that I was pretty scared when I released my last EP. I was like, “What if they think my language or my voice is weird?” I often have these thoughts, but fear doesn’t stop me. Fear makes you grow, you should feel it, otherwise you’re not really risking anything and it’s just easy. And I don’t want to have an easy life.
You’ve been living in Berlin for more than four years now. What do you think is the biggest lie people tell about the city?
A lot of things are true. Berlin is a really great city that has taught me a lot, and the Berghain is still cool. Sometimes though, I have the feeling that people here can be pretty cold, but I do appreciate Berlin a lot.
What big things in life do you believe in?
I believe in myself! I’m a person who tries to live in the moment and to push boundaries. Personally, I believe in God. Maybe God doesn’t exist, but you only live once and you have nothing to lose. It’s nice to have some kind of myth as long as you’re not trying to force it on others. If you want to believe in yourself, do it. If you want to believe that a cow is holy, do it. It’s your choice.
Tell us all the big things that’re coming up for you.
When people ask me that, I always try not to talk too much about it, because otherwise I’m just putting myself under pressure. I want to show people instead of just talking about it. I have just launched my own fashion label, Kirin. If you like it, wear it. If you don’t like it, don’t. I’m not a designer, I’m just doing what I love.
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