As we grow, we start to realize the truth about being a woman in this society — we face pain, assault, unjust gender roles, voices of judgments, and discrimination. But despite this, there are so many incredible women who fight to be strong everyday. Berlin-based songwriter Erika Severyns reminds us every woman has to be the strongest woman she knows with her single Strongest Woman. She gives courage to all women, writing a song about a traumatic event in her life and opening the door to discuss sexual assault. All the proceeds from her Bandcamp album are being donated to Good Night Out, a non-profit that’s creating a safer nightlife by training spaces, event organizers, and communities to respond to and prevent sexual violence. We talked to Erika Severyns about her music career, latest album, and the MeToo movement. Check out our exclusive interview with Erika Severyns to learn more about her.

Where are you based?
I’ve lived in Russia, Belgium, and London, and have now moved to Berlin.

What inspired you to get into music and your style?
Well, my mum believed that to be considered well-educated, my brother and I both had to learn a musical instrument. For my brother, it was the trombone; I chose the guitar, thinking I’d one day sing songs around the campfire with my friends. To this day, I’ve never done that, but I did learn how to play, and eventually, the interest to write my own songs grew.

Can you tell us a little bit about your song “River Water”? What is the story behind this song?
I had gone through a breakup a few months before and was at a stage in my life where I thought I should do a lot of casual dating. I started using a lot of online dating apps and going out a lot but after two dates with the same guy, I realized that I couldn’t really do casual dating as I was already imagining our future together. That song is about that period in my life and also the insecurities that come with these dates. When you meet up looking for something casual and then you change your mind, you never quite know - was the other person only looking for sex? Do they actually like me as a person?

Jejune is blown away by your song “Strongest Women.” We're sorry for what you've been through, but are so impressed by how brave you are to sing about it. It is important that we talk about sexual assault. Can you tell us a little bit about the story behind this song?
I wrote it the day after a friend of a friend slipped a drug into my drink and took me to his house. I bolted out the door after the man lay down next to me on the couch and I noticed that something felt off.

This is a very emotional song. What do you hope your fans get from it? What type of response have you received?
When talking about my experience, I noticed that a lot of people didn’t realize that drugging still happened. They thought it was just a horror story their mums used to tell before they went out or something. On the other hand, I’ve met several girls who have experienced the same thing, so I felt it was important to release the song to raise awareness for this kind of stuff. It happens, it’s real, it’s scary. I’ve received great feedback from people, and it has started some conversations about women’s safety on nights out here in Berlin.

We learned that you recorded the guitar and the vocals in your bedroom in your childhood home in Belgium. What effect do you think this experience had on the song?
I was recording the song with my dad because he always helps me set up my microphones, and hearing the song, he started crying. I think it put me in a very different headspace recording the single because his reaction made me feel heard.

What is the definition of strongest women for you?
I think every woman has to be the strongest woman she knows. On a daily basis, we experience so much harassment, inequality, and aggression that you have to have thick skin. I have so many women friends who have experienced sexual assault, it’s frightening.

Do you have any strongest women you know that affect your life?
My friends, my mother, the female writers and musicians all affect my life in different ways. One of my friends is having a baby soon and I think that’s strong. Another is a political activist and I think that’s strong too. Another is a sexual assault survivor who writes beautiful music about it. All of them are making me a better person.

How can we all be a little stronger?
A lot of my strength comes from the people I surround myself with, but it also comes from spending time with myself. I think things like journaling, meditation, and creative projects are necessary coping mechanisms. We all need some time every day to sit with ourselves. I think it’s easy to get pulled every which way if you don’t allow yourself the time to get centred.

Jejune loves that all the proceeds from your Bandcamp album will be donated to Good Night Out, a non-profit that’s creating safer nightlife by training up spaces, event organisers, and communities to respond to and prevent sexual violence. Can you tell us a little bit about it, and why you decided to partner with them?
I found out about them in university when I was writing an essay about safe spaces at festivals. The work they do helps to prevent the exact thing that happened to me, which is the main reason I chose to support them.

Your single cover art looks very aesthetic and unique. Who draws it and why do you decide to use a drawing for your single cover?
My cousin Maria Shashkina drew this one and many of my other covers. I decided to use a drawing because I always feel weird using a photo of myself, it feels a little egocentric. For my music, she created this girl character that also appeared on ‘River Water’ and will also be on my upcoming single’s cover. I think the way she draws captures the DIY aesthetic of the songs quite well because they’re such simple, heartfelt drawings.

Do you feel like The MeToo movement has been very powerful in the film industry. Do you feel it has been as powerful in the music industry? Do you feel the music industry creates a safe environment for women? What would you change, if you could?
I think it depends on where you look. For sure, it has had an effect everywhere because people are more aware of their actions now, but on the other hand, in most cases, transgressive behaviour and sexual assault still often go unpunished. That’s also the case in the music industry. Most music happens at night and I think that nightlife spaces are easier places for sexual assault to occur — people are often drinking and taking drugs anyway, so drugging someone becomes easier. People are generally a little looser, there are a lot more dark hallways or backstage areas. I’ve heard a lot of unsettling stories, but it’s not just a music industry thing. It’s our society in general. This happens in clubs and music venues but it also happens in people’s bedrooms.

Did you ever get any justice?
There is no way to get justice, unfortunately. I went to the hospital the night after I was drugged to do some tests, and they told me that too much time had passed to see anything. I would’ve had to go to the hospital right away, but, of course, I wasn’t thinking about that stuff. I have no evidence, and that’s how the perpetrators usually get away.

What advice would you give other women who went through your situation?
Talk about it with the right people. Most people want to help, but some people say the wrong thing. “Are you sure this happened?” is supposed to make you feel better, as in — if it didn’t happen, you have nothing to worry about. But instead, it only makes you question yourself, thinking you’re crazy. When you do decide to share your story, share it with someone you trust will make you feel safe, loved, and believed.

How would you like to see others supporting sexual assault victims?
Just listen and be respectful. Believe what the person is telling you because there is no reason to share a story like that if it’s not true. It’s painful, unsettling, and depressing. And don’t tell anyone else about it unless that’s what the victim wants. It’s not your story to tell.

How have you been staying positive during a shelter in place? Are you back to normal now?
Back to normal is not quite what it used to mean to me. I feel weird around men who remind me of the man who drugged me. I don’t feel safe in the places where I’ve run into him before. I’m more careful knowing that something like this might happen again. But I also know that it’s life and it goes on, and bad stuff happens for no reason. All I can do is move on from it a stronger person.

What is your motto in life?
Every day matters.

To learn more about Erika Severyns, please follow her via the below platforms:
https://www.patreon.com/erikaseveryns
https://erikaseveryns.com/
https://erikaseveryns.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: Erika Severyns
Facebook: @severynserika

Photo Credits: Denise Dombrowski

Erika Severyns: Raising A Voice Through Music