Serpentskin is the dancefloor-oriented alias of Alison Lewis, also known as Zanias. She combines the sounds of trance and darkwave, complemented by her signature ethereal vocals and otherworldly textures, creating a unique aural transcendence perfect for the club environment. In her debut self-titled EP, Serpentskin showcases five tracks that delve into this new realm, exploring varying degrees of euphoria and longing—from the rapturous 90s-inspired ‘Basking in the Light at Heaven’s Gate’ to the melancholic yearning of ‘Apparently Nothing’.
My hope in creating this track was that one day it would be heard at exactly the right moment on exactly the right dancefloor by people on exactly the right dose of tranquilisers to invoke transcendence. Giving something back to the scene that gave me such moments to remember… forever.
Since 2011, Zanias has haunted underground clubs worldwide with her instantly recognizable voice and distinctive electronic productions, beginning with her first project, Linea Aspera, in London. After relocating to Berlin, she has released music under various aliases and collaborated with artists, including Sid Lamar of Schwefelgelb in the band Keluar, and provided vocals for Dax J, Ancient Methods, I Hate Models, Fractions, and Infravision (Kendal and Pablo Bozzi). Zanias also co-founded and runs the independent label Fleisch Records, which significantly contributed to the resurgence of electronic body music in the Berlin techno scene, boasting releases from artists like Schwefelgelb, Forces, Kontravoid, Infravision, and Kris Baha.
Her live performances at venues such as Berghain, Khidi, Wave Gotik Treffen, and Cruel World Festival, alongside iconic acts like Duran Duran and Blondie, as well as guest appearances with the Jesus and Mary Chain, have allowed her voice to transcend the darkwave and EBM genres from which she originated.
Under her moniker Zanias, she has released an EP and four full-length LPs, all receiving critical acclaim in the underground scene. Her latest album, ‘Ecdysis’, set for a 2024 release, was described as “rich in atmosphere and hugely evocative,” with Louder Than War naming it ‘Album of the Week’ upon its release through Fleisch and Metropolis Records.
With her new alias, Serpentskin, and its self-titled debut EP, Zanias aims to highlight the aspect of herself that thrives equally in the DJ booth and on stage with a microphone. By fusing her love of wave and hyper-pop with the structures and textures of trance, she skillfully carves a new niche in dance music, enriched by her signature vocals and a fondness for euphoric, evocative melodies.
Serpentskin’s debut EP will be released on Fleisch Records on the 10th of March, 2025, available in both vinyl and digital formats. Pre-order: serpentskin.bandcamp.com/album/serpentskin-ep-1
Follow www.instagram.com/zoe_zanias
Press- Photos by ©-Duranite www.instagram.com/duranite
22nd of February – DJ set @ Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
7th of March – hybrid live @ Laundry, Melbourne
14th of March – TBA, Beijing
21st of March, TBA, Shanghai
24th of April – TBA, Berlin
All tracks written and produced by Alison Lewis
Mixed by Ewan Kay
Mastered by Conor Dalton @ Glowcast
Artwork by Hidrico Rubens
Cat. No. F031 – All rights reserved
℗ & © Fleisch Records 2025
