If you’re a fan of underground music in this city, then Simona Castricum likely needs no introduction. A musician, DJ, radio broadcaster, architect and trans advocate, Simona’s influence on electronic and dance music in Narrm is undeniable. Simona released her fifth album Villain on September 4th via her independent label Trans-Brunswick Express.

Villain sees Simona exploring her relationship with guitars, bridging the space between post-punk and electronic music and exploring the boundaries between the two. Villain brings in a wide range of influences from INXS to Drab Majesty, focusing on the sonic impact of the transition from analogue and digital that happened in the early 90s. 

These sounds act as a backdrop for explorations of Simona's experiences of transmisogyny and visions for trans liberation. Constructed around the conceptual persona, Villain performs the political and relational projections that shape its world.

The album was co-produced with Sui Zhen, engineered by Screensaver’s Jonnine Nokes and mixed by Los Angeles-based producer Jorge Elbrecht.

Simona joined Mars to talk through the tracks on Villain for And This One's Introduced By... We hope you enjoy!