A few questions for BUG POP's main (wo)man, "Queen B".
Describe BUG POP:
BUG POP Jewellery celebrates the uniqueness of the wearer, which is why we stick to One-Off or small-run
Limited Edition designs!
Most pieces are created from a mixture of new and vintage elements, and are made with
specific stories, people, songs, or places in mind, giving them a rich narrative, as well as concentrating on bold and
vibrant colours and patterns, and easy wearability!
What inspires you most?:
I am passionately influenced by a massive range of Art, Films, Music, and World Pop Culture,
from the Harajuku Girls and laser-firing Robots of Japan, to the post-war Suburbia of 1950's Great Britain.
From Twee Vintage Children's Books, to Gorey 19th Century Encyclopedia Anatomica! I think very visually, and have an ever-growing Arts Library at home!
What's with the pseudonym?:
I don't know! ... I've had a stage name, ZOMBINA, in my band since a young age, and think it's probably stemmed from that. My birth name is all good, I like it, but it feels like a friends and family thing... I've worked under my real name as a photographer, but I also illustrate under the name NO-LOOKING, and have previously gone by TORSTEN BOOM for graphic design jobs. I guess like most creative people I'm a bit of a fantasist, so creating new names and alter ego's for different themes / and elemental styles within my work, just helps to put all of my thoughts and ideas into neater seperate boxes.
So does your music come into your jewellery designs?:
Not always directly, but I work to a soundtrack of Doo Wop, Hip Hop, 80's Pop, 70's Punk, 60's Girl Groups and 50's Rock'n'Roll, Reggae, Heavy Metal, Motown and Fiery Classical!... And I like to think it shows in the finished pieces! Also I have been able to travel a lot through touring. We've been around Europe a lot... Germany, Bavaria, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Czech Republic and Finland. The sights and sounds of all of the places I've been is all there somewhere. And obviously the dark undertone of my HorrorPunk roots is often visible in my work, even in its theoretical design base.
Everyone knows that being an Independant Musician or an Independant Designer are not always extremely dependable money-wise, and you've been both for a long time now. How do you fill in the financial blanks?:
These other roles over the years have seen me as: a Waitress, Touring DJ, Chambermaid at a B&B, Festival Bar Staff, Office Admin Staff, Charity Fundraiser, Shop Assistant, Session Recording Vocalist, Bettaware Lady, Wedding and Events Photographer, Youth Music Worker, Merchandising Assistant, Kitchen Staff, Barmaid, Club Designer, Domestic Cleaner, and Locations Assistant for a Hollywood Movie! That's inbetween touring and building on my creative portfolio. And of course in the last few years, BUG POP! Keep it real. Keep it fresh! Haha!