Interview with SUSURRATION (2/2)

In our two-part interview with Jessy Bäsecke-Beltrametti—the mastermind behind Susurration —we talk about her latest EP, “Dominance.” And things definitely heat up, since the main theme revolves around BDSM. Did you miss the first part? No problem—you can read it here.

Orkus: If you think about it further, it’s obviously also about sexual self-determination. Why is this a particular concern of yours?
Jessy Bäsecke-Beltrametti: I believe that self-determination and an awareness of one’s own needs and boundaries—and, along with that, an empathetic and respectful acceptance of one’s partner, including their needs and boundaries—form the foundation not only for fulfilling sexuality but also for healthy relationships and, ultimately, a society worth living in and free from discrimination. I therefore see the conscious shaping of our lives and our relationships as an essential cornerstone of social change.

O: We haven’t talked about the remixes yet. How did you end up choosing Anna Soares’“Fuck My Brain”?
JBB: Anna is a kind of “Insta-friend” I found years ago because we do very similar things. She, too, makes music that paints a diverse picture of BDSM, leads workshops, organizes events in this field, and is committed to education and visibility free of stereotypes. We haven’t met in person yet, but these parallels have created a bond that we’ve wanted to celebrate with a remix for a long time. The EP was the perfect moment for it.

O: And “Escalate” by Dunkelsucht? What’s your connection to the band?
JBB: We really like each other’s bands’ music. Our personal connection began in 2024, when Tim from Dunkelsucht played our track “All Fuchs Given” on the electro floor at the Schwarzer Ball in Zurich. It was the first time we’d heard one of our own tracks on the dance floor. A magical moment and the beginning of a musical friendship.

O: Why was it important to you to revisit “Boibitch”?
JBB: My two producers, Michael Hirst and Hannes Bachofner, are incredibly creative musicians who are bursting with ideas and energy. That’s what makes our songwriting so versatile and inspiring. For the EPs, I wanted to feature both of them explicitly and let them run wild on one of our old songs without any restrictions. Michael immediately jumped on “Boibitch,” which was a perfect fit for the first EP, both lyrically and musically.

O: We’re also planning another EP, which will be titled “Submission” …
JBB: Exactly. This second EP includes more songs on the same theme, as well as remixes and collaborations. However, they have a slightly softer and warmer tone. The two EPs are meant to represent different perspectives on similar themes.

O: And will all of this culminate in the next album next year? Can we already reveal the title, “Trauma Ties”? – And what can you tell us about it right now?
JBB: Yes, I’d love to. It’s going to be a major concept album on the topic of trauma. In three sections, we’ll explore the themes of body dysphoria, attachment disorder, and sexual abuse. The chapters will be linked by short radio drama sequences on each respective topic. The visual design will be created collaboratively by two very different female artists. Musically, it will be even darker than before.

Claudia Zinn-Zinnenburg

Lineup:
Jessy Bäsecke-Beltrametti – vocals
Dave Wieser – drums
Hannes Bachofner – keyboards
Michael Hirst – studio guitars

You can also find “Susurration ” in our July/August issue:

Listen to Susurration on our “Current Issue” playlist on Spotify: