We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cassandra Kouremenos a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cassandra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I believe that at the foundation of every creative act is an artist taking a risk. I used to think that taking a risk was an isolated event that would come about at the precipice of a bigger life decision. I realize now that risk-taking is part of the creative lifestyle. In my experience, risk-taking happens multiple times a day: every time I choose an alternate way home, or every time I experiment with a new sound or writing style in the studio, or every time I improvise with recipes for dinner. Every time anyone dares to entertain a possibility outside of what they can predict with certainty is an opportunity to experience the gifts that come with that risk. Ultimately, taking a risk feels like a revolution. If this world’s default conditioning is to fear the unknown, then taking a risk is a transformation of that fearful energy into excitement. Taking a risk is choosing to play big; it’s betting on yourself, because no matter what happens, you’ll adapt in whatever circumstance you find yourself in. In a lot of ways, taking a risk means choosing to collect new data. The other side of risk isn’t a win or a loss; it’s new information. It’s data that can be interpreted and analyzed to support your next informed decision.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In the big scope, I’m a musical and visual artist who’s obsessed with colours and how they can enhance our lives. Zooming in, I’m a Greek-Montrealer who currently lives in LA. I’m very much a hybrid in many ways: personally and creatively, which I guess makes sense since my art is an interpretation of my life. I like juxtaposition and I like fusing styles both visually and sonically. I see myself in art that combines approaches because I like to witness the synergy of worlds you wouldn’t expect to collide together. The mantra that helps guide me through my career is SOUL OVER EGO. I use it as a compass to guide decision-making as I navigate an industry that is very ego-centric. Lately, another idea I’ve been inspired by is this notion that we create our realities. I’ve been reading a book by Dr Joe Dispenza called “Becoming Supernatural” and it’s been empowering me to transform my world through a positive attitude and elevated emotions like gratitude. I believe in manifestation and strongly feel like I’m where I am right now because I once imagined it and aligned my actions with this reality.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

People-pleasing may be easy in the moment but it’s much harder down the line. I think most women would agree that from a very young age, we’ve been conditioned to be people-pleasers. Years into the realization that this part of my personality was actually something I’ve been taught and made to believe was the “right” thing to do, I’m STILL unlearning my own people-pleasing tendencies.

People-pleasing seems like the more peaceful option when you’ve been taught to consider everyone else’s emotions before your own. However, neglecting how you feel time and time again leaves a significant build-up of energy in the body. I think most people-pleasers reach this boiling point where they have no choice but to confront their own wants and needs after their body reminds them to do so. My own body made me aware of my people-pleasing tendencies when I would feel a tightness in my chest and butterflies in my stomach every time I would neglect my feelings in order to prioritize someone else’s. That anxiety then turned to anger and then resentment and then I was so frustrated that I looked around me for someone to blame only to uncover that the only person who had willingly neglected my feelings was me.

And so, as I unlearn my previous people-pleasing conditioning, I’m reminded that my only job is to honour my own boundaries while still being respectful of others. It’s not a selfish act to set boundaries, but everyone’s responsibility for themselves. After all, we can only be in community with one another once we can establish a harmony within our own bodies by monitoring the flow of our energy.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

CREATE YOUR REALITY.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kallitechnis.ca/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kallitechnis/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kallitechnis/
• Twitter: https://x.com/KALLITECHNIS
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwcvrC3mtlseSy3dPTZKOqA
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kallitechnis
• Other: tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kallitechnis

Image Credits

Simon Suparatana Blitzer + Rashad Bedeir