Start Listening To: Beefcake
Dive in to the fantastical chaos of BEEFCAKE.
BEEFCAKE is a London-based music and visual duo with a knack for blending the sweet and grotesque into a singularly captivating world. Led by classically trained singer Dora and visual artist Nuch, the project fuses heartfelt melodies with visceral, unsettling imagery, creating a unique balance between beauty and chaos. Their debut single "Angel Food" offers a enticing glimpse into their universe, where infatuation spirals into manic obsession, all wrapped in dazzling visuals.
Having recently signed with Marathon Artists, BEEFCAKE is ready to take their vision to the next level. We sat down with Dora and Nuch to discuss their creative process, inspirations, and the fantastical world they’re building.
For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?
Dora: We’re a music and visual duo from London! The music I make is constantly evolving, it’s an amalgamation of my emotions, personal experiences and my favourite things.
Firstly, congratulations on signing with Marathon Artists! What does this milestone mean to you both, and how has it influenced your creative process so far?
Dora: Thank you! Being signed has always been a dream of mine, and it’s so nice to have a team of people that genuinely want you to succeed. Marathon have been very respectful of the creative process and let me do what feels right for the EP, which is really great
Nuch: Thank you! I really wasn’t expecting any of this to happen. Marathon have been so welcoming, and it’s so exciting to have a team who encourage you to create and have an interest in what you do. It’s been a dream of mine to have space and time in my life to just to make stuff and it’s so amazing to finally have that.
Your debut single "Angel Food" is visually stunning and incredibly unique. Can you walk us through the concept behind the video? What message or feeling were you hoping to convey?
Dora: “Angel Food” is about a total, all-consuming obsession with someone. I wanted the video to feel sickly sweet, almost manic, especially as the track descends into chaos at the end. I think the video showcases the inner turmoil of infatuation really well, and how it can very quickly become destructive.
Nuch: The three settings in the video tell a sort of parallel narrative. Each one is meant to represent a different perspective of the same obsession that Dora was talking about. But really, the video’s up for interpretation and the lyrics are meant to guide you.
Dora, you’re a classically trained singer, but you draw inspiration from eclectic sources like Vocaloid and Bjork. How have these influences shaped your approach to songwriting and performance with BEEFCAKE?
Dora: Vocaloid is such a melting pot of genres and lyrical themes, I find the most memorable songs have unique perspectives and topics you might never think of to be in a song. I’m always searching for those interesting moments to hone in on in my writing.
I’ve listened to Björk since I was very little, and have always been in awe of how she expresses her powerful songwriting live. You’re utterly drawn into her performance and it becomes a whole cathartic experience. That’s something I really appreciate in a musician’s live set, and I strive to show my authenticity and passion when I’m on stage.
What’s your creative process for blending the cute with the grotesque?
Nuch: It’s a hard question and it’s one I get all the time. I think the real answer is that I don’t really see a difference between the cute stuff and the gore. Like, the bunny heads in the video, for example - they’re just cute to me. My Grandma (who for the record is very supportive) will always ask why I draw violent things all the time, and I’ll just realise, oh, yeah, I suppose that is a little bloody.
My main influence for BEEFCAKE’s visuals is obviously Dora’s music, but I think inspiration can come from anywhere. Moths, fungi, shaved ice, cheap plastic toys, anything.
"Angel Food" gives us a glimpse into the world you’re building. Can you tell us more about this world? What themes or feelings do you hope listeners experience when they enter BEEFCAKE’s universe?
Dora: I think I’d like to show a lot more raw feelings, keep it very real. Despite the world we’re expanding on being quite fantastical, I think it’s intrinsically linked to reality and our experiences navigating it. When people delve into BEEFCAKE, I hope that people can find comfort and similarities with us as we continue to flesh out the project.
Nuch: This might be a strange answer, as our visual style can be a little overwhelming, but I’d like people to come away from BEEFCAKE with a sense of comfort. But as long as my work is able to absorb people I don’t really mind what else they think.
You describe your dynamic as a seesaw between unsettling and inviting. How do you balance these contrasting elements in your music and visuals?
Dora: I love the contrast of very pretty melodies and visceral lyrics. Other ways I like to use these elements is through rhyme, metre and harmonies. It’s a very fun part of the creative process, experimenting with different ways to create that juxtaposition.
Nuch: To be honest, the balance comes quite naturally to me. Maybe the trick is not thinking about it too much?
The limited-edition "Angel Food" t-shirts have just launched. How did you design these, and what role does fashion play in shaping the identity of BEEFCAKE?
Nuch: I didn’t want to make anything too complex for our first design. I suppose I sort of broke down the key elements of the band and just drew them. We’re a duo with a merged mind! And we love blood and guts.
Dora: I’ve always valued dressing up. When I don’t, it feels like I’m not being authentic to myself. I see what I wear as an extension of who I am, so fashion is a natural addition to the BEEFCAKE world.
What’s next for BEEFCAKE? Are there any upcoming projects, collaborations, or performances you can share with us?
Dora: We’re working towards our first EP which will be released next year, and alongside that debuting BEEFCAKE live. I’m dying to start performing!!
Nuch: Yay!
