The Art of Transformation: Inside CIFIKA’s Soulful Voyage Through 'Bonfire'
By. Alicia Zamora
A Conversation with Cifika
In the ever-evolving landscape of electronic music, few artists have managed to push boundaries and redefine their sound as effectively as CIFIKA. In an exclusive interview with Alicia’s Studio, the artist opens up about her latest project, “Bonfire,” which serves as a significant turning point in her artistic journey. With nearly eight years of experience in the industry, CIFIKA reflects on the struggles and breakthroughs that have shaped her musical identity.
CIFIKA delves into the challenges of creative blocks that many artists experience, revealing a personal struggle with feeling confined by their established style and repetitive patterns. This introspective journey has led to a transformative phase in their music, where the desire to break free from self-imposed limitations is prominent. As they navigate this evolution, CIFIKA seeks to explore new soundscapes and experiment with their artistry in ways that resonate more authentically with their evolving vision.
The interview not only highlights CIFIKA's artistic evolution but also offers insights into the creative process, shedding light on how confronting these constraints has fueled a deeper exploration of sound. As they share their experiences, listeners can gain a greater appreciation for the work that goes into crafting music that pushes boundaries, inspires change, and ultimately reflects a true representation of the artist’s voice.
Diving In
Alicia: Bonfire marks a significant evolution in your sound, blending electronic music with elements of alternative folk, ambient, and pop. Can you tell us about your creative journey in crafting this album and what inspired you to step beyond your electronic music roots?
CIFIKA: Creating Bonfire was an exploration of my style as an artist. While electronic music has been my foundation, I wanted to break free from the boundaries I felt within myself. Over recent years, I’ve been hitting creative blocks in terms of style and habits. It’s been almost eight years since my debut, and I started noticing patterns in my music—similar choices of chords, instruments, and even the overall dynamics of my songs. Every time I tried creating something new, it felt like I was stuck in a loop.
CIFIKA: To break free, I decided to start a new adventure and work on this album with an executive producer instead of doing everything myself. This time, I wanted to focus more on my vocals than anything else. I reached out to Nancy Boy, a talented producer, to collaborate on this project. I also discovered Umaka, a guitar player, producer, and amazing vocalist, to join us. What began as an EP evolved into a full-length album because Nancy Boy strongly suggested that a longer format would allow us to tell a richer story. The final result is a true hybrid of acoustic, folk, and electronic music, and I’m thrilled to share it.
Alicia: You’ve mentioned that Bonfire is a reflection of your thoughts on connection and acceptance. How did you incorporate these themes into the album, both lyrically and musically?
CIFIKA: Lyrically, I drew from moments of isolation and a longing for community, using literal imagery like gathering around a bonfire. For example, in “Babes in the Wood,” I explore the idea of how artists are often perceived in a distorted way and how they must escape, find their own community, and keep their convictions pure and unshaken.
CIFIKA: Musically, Nancy Boy, Umaka, and I tried to convey connection and togetherness through innovative methods. In “Bonfire” (the track), we invited our friends to record the chorus, creating a warm, communal energy. That experience alone was incredible and truly captured the album’s spirit.
Alicia: The track “Little Drama” stands out with its blend of metal, psychedelic rock, and electronic elements. What inspired you to experiment with such a diverse range of sounds in this song?
CIFIKA: The imagery of a “Little Drummer Boy” initially sparked the idea. Together with Nancy Boy and Umaka, we wanted to push boundaries, layering tribal rhythms, raw guitar riffs, and psychedelic synth textures. The track became a kind of sonic ritual, representing resilience and unity amidst chaos. While it leans heavily into rock, you can hear the electronic influence, particularly in the drum pattern during the chorus. Nancy recorded it using his Prophet synth, and it reminds me of the raw energy of ’90s rock band drums.
Alicia: The album’s title track, “Bonfire,” features the voices of your dear friends in the chorus. How did this collaboration come together, and what does the song represent to you personally?
CIFIKA:“Bonfire” is one of the most personal tracks on the album. Including the voices of my friends in the chorus was my way of embodying the album’s message of unity. It felt like a celebration of the bonds that sustain us—a tribute to the warmth we share despite life’s challenges. I’ve never had featured artists on my LPs before, but this felt like the perfect way to include voices other than mine in such a meaningful and organic way.
Alicia: You collaborated with producers Nancy Boy and Umaka on Bonfire. How did these collaborations shape the final sound of the album, and what unique contributions did they bring to the project?
CIFIKA: Their contributions were transformative. Nancy Boy’s textured synth work and Umaka’s emotive guitar playing brought layers of depth to the album. I first worked with Nancy Boy during live performances last year, where he was part of my session band. Seeing how meticulously he prepared, with detailed music sheets and annotations, I knew he would bring out the tiniest details in my vocals and highlight them in new ways. His vision was so clear and strong that I trusted him to lead the project entirely.
CIFIKA: Umaka, on the other hand, brought a completely different energy. His guitar playing, steeped in Irish and European influences, added a unique flair to the album. His style reminds me of artists like Björk, Aurora, and Bon Iver—musicians I deeply admire. When we were sketching demos, his contributions were invaluable, particularly with tracks like “Pebble,” which we reimagined for Bonfire.
Alicia: The live session you held in Seoul before the album’s release seemed to create an incredibly intimate and emotional experience for the audience. How did it feel to perform the album in full for the first time, and what was the energy like in the room?
CIFIKA: The Seoul live session was magical. Performing the album in its entirety for the first time felt both vulnerable and empowering. It was also my first time performing with such a large band—six musicians in total. The live drums added vibrancy to the tracks, while the guitars and bass created beautiful grooves that harmonized with my vocals.
CIFIKA: The audience’s energy was electric, and the 360-degree stage design by Gloria amplified the sense of intimacy. There was no hierarchy to the setup; it felt like the bonfire imagery had come to life in that room.
Alicia: Bonfire explores themes of finding comfort and authenticity in a world that often feels disconnected. Can you talk more about the personal significance of these themes in your life and music?
CIFIKA: Connection and authenticity have always been my anchors. Being an artist in Seoul often feels like a double-edged sword; societal stereotypes about artists can be frustrating and isolating. People assume we make more money than we actually do, based solely on our curated social media images. Yet, despite these misconceptions, we persist—breaking free from the ordinary and pushing through creative and personal limitations.
CIFIKA:Before working on this album, I experienced extreme loneliness, but through Bonfire, I found a new sense of family and community. This album became my safe space, and I hope it offers the same solace to others.
Alicia: You’ve had great success with ION, which earned you nominations and awards. How does Bonfire compare to your previous work in terms of your artistic growth and the message you hope to convey?
CIFIKA:While ION explored the boundaries of electronic music, playing heavily with techniques and production, Bonfire feels more human and introspective. It reflects my growth in embracing imperfection and storytelling, focusing on connection rather than technical mastery. I don’t expect this album to receive nominations or awards; in fact, I don’t even know if it fits neatly into any genre to be considered. But for me, it’s already been nominated for my personal “life experience award.”
Alicia: The performance video of your live session will be released on your YouTube channel on November 20. What can fans expect from the video, and how do you think it will complement the experience of listening to the album?
CIFIKA: The video brings Bonfire to life visually, capturing the intimacy and rawness of the live session. It serves as a companion piece to the album, offering fans an emotional window into its core. The mixing, handled by Joongwon and Jeong Seosa—who also played guitar and drums during the live session—focuses on preserving the live atmosphere. We wanted the audience to feel the magic we created on November 2nd, and I think the video will deliver just that.
Alicia: Bonfire is very personal and introspective, but it’s also a work that invites listeners to reflect on their own lives. What do you hope people take away from songs like “Bonfire” and “Little Drama”? Do you want your music to offer them comfort, or do you hope it sparks deeper reflection?
CIFIKA: I hope Bonfire offers both comfort and introspection. Tracks like “Bonfire” and “Little Drama” encourage resilience and self-reflection while embracing the irony of Korean culture. In Korea, concepts like “together” and “we” often take precedence over “me” and “individual,” which sometimes feels contradictory to personal growth. This irony fascinates me and deeply influenced these tracks. I want listeners to know they’re not alone while finding their own space within the collective.
Alicia: What was the most challenging track to write or record on Bonfire, and why? Did you encounter any unexpected obstacles during the making of the album?
CIFIKA:“Selena” and “Bonfire” were the most challenging due to their intricate layering and new genres I hadn’t explored before. I initially asked Nancy Boy and Umaka to adjust chord progressions or simplify elements in the demos to make it easier for me to write melodies and lyrics. But they stood their ground and refused to change anything. This forced me to approach songwriting differently, which felt like shedding an old shell. It was an uncomfortable process, but in hindsight, I’m grateful—they helped me grow as an artist and craft something truly unique.
Alicia: As someone who is constantly evolving as an artist, what are your thoughts on the next step in your musical journey after Bonfire? Do you have any ideas of where you’d like to take your sound in the future?
CIFIKA:After Bonfire, I’m eager to dive into uncharted genres. This album taught me the value of collaboration and stepping out of my comfort zone. I want to experiment with new instruments, vocal techniques, and creative processes. Collaborating with musicians in completely different genres excites me, as does the idea of creating songs entirely in the style of Nancy Boy and Umaka. Ideas are still forming, but they’re clear in my mind.
Alicia: Your music often explores themes of finding peace amidst chaos. How do you find balance in your own life, and how does that play into the music you create?
CIFIKA: I struggle to find balance, honestly. CIFIKA always comes first, often at the expense of other aspects of my life. I both love and hate this reality. Since becoming independent, I’ve had to juggle so much beyond music, which makes finding balance a priority for my next project.
Alicia: What advice would you give to young creators who are inspired by your work?
CIFIKA:-Stay true to your vision, but don’t be afraid to evolve.
-Meeting the deadline is also part of your art.
-Being stupid, being outrageous, being Ugly is the key to making a beautiful track.
-Stay humble for yourself, being humble will bring you so much karma.
-It’s okay when you hit a creative block, just step back from your world, go do something that’s totally different from your normal life, get inspired by nature.
Alicia: If you could sum up your album in one sentence, what would it be?
CIFIKA: Let’s gather around, share untold stories, sing together, and listen to each other’s hearts.
Alicia: What song from the album best describes you as an artist?
CIFIKA: This is like asking your favorite child. My personal favorite track is “Heart Piece Collector,” but I don’t want to say that it best describes it.
Alicia: Do you have anything to say to those who will read this?
CIFIKA: Thank you so much for supporting my journey. I hope Bonfire becomes a part of your story too.
Alicia: Are there any new projects or collaborations you look forward to exploring?
CIFIKA: Aside from new EP ideas, I’d love to revive my Hydrovox project with installation artist Loksu. There’s also a chance I might embark on a small European tour—stay tuned!
