We had a chance to chat with VIO ahead of their performance at the Dyke* Festival on Saturday, August 30th, at the Garden Stage! Originating from Italy and now based in Berlin, VIO is an indie soul artist whose music beautifully navigates between introspection and atmosphere—creating a tender dialogue between oneself and the environments we occupy. Their sound, a rich blend of indie and R&B, resonates with warm melancholy and the bittersweetness of the present moment, evoking the feeling of a memory that lingers just out of reach, yet still stirs something deep within.
Can you share a bit about your journey from Italy to Berlin? How has this transition influenced your music and creative expression?
Moving from Italy to Berlin really changed the way I approach music, especially in my songwriting. I moved here at twenty, so this city has shaped a lot of my early adult life. Through the experiences I lived, and through discovering and reconnecting to different sides of my identity, I could authentically explore my music. This city has given me the space to not just be, but to think, question and express myself in ways I hadn’t before.
Who or what are your biggest musical inspirations, and how do they shape your sound?
Growing up, I was immersed in the sounds of 70s Italian music, later branching into blues, soul, and folk, so that’s where much of my intuitive sound originates. Today, I’m drawn to anything that carries a sense of rawness and authenticity. Recently, artists like Maro, Annahstasia, and Tanarélle have been particularly inspiring, each creating music that deeply resonates with me. The essence of my own sound lies in its ability to move me, it emerges from such an emotional place that, at times, I find myself processing unexpected feelings while writing melodies and words.
Your lyrics often touch on themes of identity, longing, and connection. Can you elaborate on what these themes mean to you personally and how they manifest in your songwriting?
From a young age I’ve been a deeply sensitive and questioning person. As a queer Black person growing up in Italy, I struggled to share my experiences, and there was little representation in my daily life. As a result, I internalised a sense of solitude. Music, and particularly songwriting, became my way of expressing the questions and reflections on topics like feeling out of place, learning my self-worth, and navigating the challenges of communication. It’s in this space, where I blend my truth with poetry, that I’m able to expose parts of myself I don’t always have the energy or words to access.
What does your songwriting process look like? Do you have certain rituals or environments that help inspire your work?
I write music in a very spontaneous way, most of it comes from an immediate need to express. I tend to write lyrics while on the move, usually on a train, in that space between places, because that’s when I feel suspended, and have time to process. I typically write music playing guitar, exploring what chords and progressions resonate within me on an emotional level. I let this process happen as naturally as possible. The only real condition is that I don’t feel rushed. I need to truly feel and allow the music to unfold in its own time.
Your lyrics are described as raw and disarmingly honest. What role does vulnerability play in your creative process?
Being vulnerable even if only with ourselves, can be terrifying because we allow people to see a part of us that is real and therefore we allow them to really love us but also how to really hurt us. Acknowledging how we really feel instead of how we wish we felt and actually owning it is a constant process. For me, music is the easiest way to do that. It’s where I can just say things as they are and be honest about where I’m really at. It also gives me a sense of closure. It’s the first place I can let out emotions I haven’t been able to work through in my head in a rational way.
Can you share a specific song that you feel embodies this vulnerability? What’s the story behind it?
One of the songs that personally I find more vulnerable is “Uncomplicated”. It’s a self-reflection on the tendencies that come up while getting close to someone. Through the emotional intimacy, you end up confronting parts of yourself that aren’t polished and that you might not fully understand. The song captures both the desire to grow closer to someone while naming out loud some of the patterns that make the process hard. These are the lines in the song that sum this up “Uncomplicated, I wish I could be like that/ but I’m drawn to chaos and I need a break from myself/ I have potential to take something good and make a mess/ I let you read between the lines of what I don’t say) . It’s an open letter to someone I loved, to acknowledge the layers and complexities but in the first place I acknowledge them within me.
How do you hope your music resonates with listeners, particularly within the queer community?
I believe sharing stories defeats a sense of solitude and isolation. Finding points of contact with anyone and relating to each other makes us feel connected in a way that took me a long time to find. If someone walks away feeling seen, or even just a little more willing to embrace who they are, then that would be the most heartwarming feeling.
Can you recall a moment during a performance when you felt a deep connection with your audience? What was that experience like for you?
There’ve been a few moments during my shows where I ask the audience to close their eyes and tune into a specific emotion. It happened that I could almost feel the change of energy. And when someone tells me afterward that they were moved, I’m so grateful they allowed themselves to go there. We’re so used to rushing through life that we rarely stop and actually feel. So when music creates that pause, that opportunity to connect with yourself and with others, it feels like something really meaningful.
Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re particularly excited about? What can fans expect from you in the near future?
I’m really excited about my upcoming EP which is going to be a new kind of raw for me. There’s an intimacy and vulnerability in these songs that feels different from anything I’ve shared before.
How do you envision your music evolving over the next few years? Are there new themes or styles you are eager to explore?
I feel like my music will naturally keep evolving, because I’m constantly growing and changing too. I’ve always seen my sound as a reflection of where I am emotionally and personally, so as I grow, the music naturally shifts with me. After this next EP, I’m interested in exploring new directions, especially by experimenting more with percussive elements. I’d still want to keep the soul and emotional honesty at the centre of it all, but I’m open to letting the sound take shape around whatever feels real and relevant in that moment.
What are you most looking forward to about performing at the Dyke* Festival?
I’m really looking forward to connecting, not just with the people in the audience, but also with the other artists. There’s something beautiful about being in a space where music, community, and vulnerability can exist side by side. Environments like that feel rare, and I’m grateful to be part of one that centres queer experiences. I am happy to perform in a space where my music will be felt and will in the best case resonate with others. And I’m also excited to be inspired, to hear others share their stories. These moments of exchange are what stay with me the longest, a great balance between being heard and listening.
Do you have any specific messages or feelings you hope to convey through your performance at this festival?
With my performance I would like to show that there’s so much strength in softness and sensitivity, that showing your authentic self can be a very important act to empower yourself and others.
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photos by Zulema Ali @zulemarose
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