Zurich
Have you never heard of raguwavy ? Well you're going to do it. The new musical genre has the Tamil-Swiss singer-songwriter Priya Ragu as its greatest exponent.
Her experimental sound sounds like the dance beats of M.I.A., the versatile voice of Sza or the melodic of Kollywood, but it is her unique fusion of electronica, RnB and slow songs –produced by her brother, Japhna Gold– that has made her led to collaborate with the London band Jungle on his next album.
This interview is part of "The World Made Local" , a global project of Condé Nast Traveler in the seven international editions, which gives voice to 100 people in 100 countries to find out why her own territory should be your next destination.
If we are going to see you in Zurich, what places would you take us to see?
We would go for a coffee The Stanz a (which also has very good music, which is essential... and rare to find). Yes. it is your first time here I would take you to the National Museum and to a traditional restaurant. But at night we would go to the Longstreet Bar in Langstrasse, to have some Gin Tonics and see the DJ set of DJ Obie or. by DJ C.N.G., then go to moods to a dirty party. On Saturday we would go to the flea market in Helvetia Platz –I found my Best of Stevie Wonder vinyl there but the stalls sell everything. When I move to live alone the first thing I'm going to do is buy a record player. Also, my next album goes. to be on vinyl.
Where would we go to eat?
I go to a lot ooki and I always order the karee raisu, a Japanese curry with chicken and rice. I'm terrible at planning ahead and making reservations, so I usually sit on a stool at the bar overlooking the kitchen.
The best time to go to Zurich?
In March, what it is. when it is done M4 festival in Schiffbau . They accept any demo in a competition that they do, which is a great platform for new artists. But summer is always a good time... the park Bäckeranlage It's beautiful and great for a picnic.
Priya Ragu
What place is perfect for a weekend getaway?
Locarno It's like being abroad because it's the Italian part of Switzerland. Everyone speaks Italian, the food is wonderful, and you can take great walks around the lake and the mountains. Besides that there is a lot of silence. One day I walked for 3 hours and didn't come across anyone. I love being in the middle of nature, the sounds, the silence... but I can't imagine life living outside the city.
What kind of plans do you usually make as a family?
We recently took my father to Hoher Kasten to a revolving restaurant. She loves traditional places and this one had magical views of the Appenzell district.