Biographies:

Velvet Two Stripes Velvet Two Stripes are united by a 15-year band history, and still Sophie and Sara Diggelmann and Franca Mock know only one direction: forward. „Nothing can hold us back any more,“ says Sara. „We navigate the way we like,“ adds her sister Sophie, referring not only to the trips across the rusty railway bridge on the Columbia River that took them to the recording studio in the summer of 2022. She also means the meandering between the underground and the music industry that the band has mastered so confidently. What next? Always moving forward, always on the move, allied in threes. Sophie: „The music remains the most important thing. We don’t have to conform to any trends, we don’t have to please anyone, just ourselves.“

Maria Chiara Argirò (pronounced ma-REE-ah key-AH-rah r-gee-ROW) has been a central figure in the UK jazz, classical and electronic worlds since she moved to London from Rome over a decade ago. A skilled pianist since childhood, she’s collaborated with everyone from These New Puritans to Jono McCleery to Jamie Leeming alongside output with Moonfish. Her previous solo album, the stunning electronic jazz-fusion record Forest City, received widespread critical acclaim and was covered by the likes of The Guardian, Pitchfork, Vogue, and Rolling Stone. Her music has featured in the Netflix series, Elite, and she can count the likes of Four Tet and Gilles Peterson as fans, with the latter describing her music as “absolutely crazy good”. Closer, her new album coming on April 2024, is a testament to Maria’s journey of self-exploration and a manifestation of her profound connection with music. Rooted in an indescribable feeling that compelled her to create, the album transcends boundaries and traverses the spectrum of electronic music with unparalleled depth and clarity.

Ramin a Swiss-Iranian DJ, producer, and curator, has been a prominent figure in Geneva’s music scene since 2019, gracing stages like Montreux Jazz Festival and Paléo Festival. He curates cultural and club events across Geneva, collaborating with venues like Le Rez – L’Usine and Bongo Joe Records. Currently, he co-curates Club Salaam at La Gravière, fostering a space for SWANA artists and diaspora. Through radio shows on Noods Radio and Radio Alhara, Ramin explores his diverse musical inspirations, offering club experiences that transcend borders and ignite dance floors.