Glamcult meets Phöri

All bandaged up, yet far from aseptic – introducing Phöri

Whether we talk about fashion week, vision boards or new year resolutions, there is a dominant sense of order and ritual to the month of January. Something that took us out of our customary winter routine was meeting Phöri – a natural born singer and performer, in recent years she mustered all of her showman faculties, building up to her self-made figure. “Self-made” is not a term we use here in a colloquial tone; with imagery, vocals, fashion, production and all-around concept solely belonging to her, Phöri is textbook self-sufficient. Phöri’s nascent persona is built on the cycle of ailment and recovery – whether she recounts emotional malady or straight-up physical infirmity. The pain she embodied and was exposed to by proxy transposed her into the thriving artist we got to meet. Despite introducing herself covered in bandaids and evoking a medical-gone-cool aura, her persona is anything but sanitised. With her freshly released EP Recovery Mode and a clear, assured, non-referential image, Phöri plunges in the scene fervidly. We talked to the NYC born and bred artist about her emergence in the music world, her upbringing, dreams and the city that gave her wings.



Hey Phöri!! Glad to meet you <3 Here in Amsterdam, we are in the middle of a gloomy, foggy winter. How is the cold season treating you in NYC? 

Hi Luna! Happy to meet you as well. NYC winters are brutal! It has me in hibernation mode. I only go out when absolutely necessary. Most of the time, I’m home, recording music, or shooting content.

Yeah… winter is not the most inspiring season. But hey! Congrats on your first EP! You acknowledged it is an account of heartbreak succeeding healing. Could you elaborate more on its vision and creative process?

Thank you! This is my first EP where I was more vulnerable… What inspired the making of Recovery Mode was my life. I left a long-term relationship and started my whole life over. It wasn’t easy. I had to take time to recover. Then my grandmother had a knee replacement. All the bandages, her knee brace, and the medical equipment was so cool to me. The idea for my cover was inspired by her. Her healing process was physical. My process was emotional but it made me realise that these things take time and to be patient with myself. I was pulling myself out of a dark place. 

That’s a lot of healing congested in such a short span of time. I am glad you got to take it and transform it into a whole act! Speaking of, ever since you were a child, you were fated for performance, in all that entails. What does being a performer signify for you?

To me, being a true performer is to be able to entertain and engage an audience. Showmanship is an energy thing. Either you got it or you don’t.



Is there a well-defined chronology to Phöri the musician-performer as we know her today?

Ever since I could speak, I have been singing. I started studying ballet from age 7-12. I sang in the choir in both elementary and middle school. I even went to a performing arts high school, where I was classically trained vocally. I was also the lead singer for my school’s orchestra. 

Then as a young adult, I learned the process of recording my own songs. Picking beats, mixing my vocals, and mastering. Phöri came to life and here we are 🙂  

Sweet! You also emphasise the importance of innovation in your art. How do you make sure to stand out in the current saturated art sphere?

I stand out by picking sounds that are fresh, new, and different. I don’t aim to sound like anyone else who’s out right now. I’m carving my own lane. You make more of an impact on the listener when you give them something they never heard before.

You mention your upbringing was R&B and pop- heavy. Can you tell us more about specific references in your artistry?

I grew up with a mom who adores 80s pop. She would play a lot of Prince, Michael Jackson, Annie Lennox, and Cyndi Lauper. Being introduced to that era – the styles and their freedom of expression, it definitely influenced me to be unafraid to put myself out there. Her taste also introduced me to Aaliyah, Timbaland, and Missy Elliot. I love Aaliyah so much. She is my biggest inspiration. Her visuals, sound, and personal style was so amazing and ahead of her time. I adopted her mindset –  being a trendsetter, in creative control of her work, and always aiming to be innovative. I remember being 8 and seeing the video for One in a Million for the first time. It changed my brain chemistry.  My Dad’s taste is what gave me soul. He loves his classics. Anita Baker, Sade, Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, Patti Labelle, and 70s funk. 

That’s a lot of inspo – no wonder your calling. Besides your music, your visual identity is also really striking (impressive, btw, considering it is all made by you). How do you approach creating your visual identity? 

Thank you! I live in the world of fantasy. I am always creating alter egos that highlight different parts of my personality. I channel each of them through my personal style. I also love to have creative control of every aspect of my image. What you see is all me. 



I wonder how you conceptualise your craft – do you have a holistic image from the get-go, or do you go with the flow?

I just let my imagination run wild. At times, I’ve been inspired by a film, images, or other music. That usually gets the gears going and I just build it up from there. I trust my vision. 

How is the NYC music scene impacting your development as an artist? What is your relation to the city’s fast-paced culture?

NYC as I knew it doesn’t exist anymore. Something is missing. I can’t quite put my finger on it but the culture is not as alive as it used to be. We’ve become Gotham City and not in a cool way. However, the melting pot of cultures I grew up around still influences me to this day. It’s made me versatile and open minded as an artist.  The fast paced energy has me on my grind though. Just like my city – I never sleep.

Do you have a dream collab?

Hands down – Nicki Minaj. Next would be Ye and Kid Cudi.

 I also have been eyeing Cash Cobain. I love his song “message to u”

What should we be expecting from Phöri in the near future? 

 I’m taking over – expect global success. I’m going superstar status. I’m breaking records. IT’S PHORI WORLD 2025. Get with it!



Images courtesy of the artist

Words by Luna Sferdianu