In this interview, we delve into the world of Murman Tsuladze, who share his inspirations and unique perspectives.
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1. Introduce Yourself to the Casawi Community: What drives you? What's your artistic vision, and what sets you apart from the crowd?
Hey, my name is Murman Tsuladze. I’m an artist, musician, former rug dealer, actor, poet... I even sold watermelons at one point.
What drives me is travel—changing time zones, spaces, and cosmos. It allows me to see things more clearly. If you never leave your house, you don't know what it actually looks like. I love bringing people together. I make music to unite people from different backgrounds and get them shaking their asses to the same rhythm. I’ve met all kinds of people in my life, and every single one of them inspires me in their own way.
What sets me apart from the crowd is that the Soviets gave me meds that were a bit too strong when I was a baby, and it totally transformed me. Kind of like a USSR version of a Marvel character. I think that played a huge part in why I don’t look at the world the way everyone else does.
2. City Inspirations: How has your city influenced your artistic path? Share how its streets, culture, and energy have molded your work.
I was born in a town called Rustavi. It's a very industrial city built in the 1950s, filled with nothing but concrete block buildings and surrounded by Azerbaijani villages. Because of that, you can really hear the mix of heavy industry and the Orient in my music.
I spent my childhood there, singing and dancing every weekend at my grandparents' place, where music played non-stop around tables overflowing with food and endless wine. We had nothing but love in 1990s Georgia. It’s these memories of joy, love, and madness that keep me moving forward and prevent me from ever stopping—because I know I can never go lower than what I experienced during my childhood.
3. Creative Process: What fuels your creativity? Whether it's a ritual, a muse, or a moment of clarity, we're keen to learn.
These moments just come out of nowhere. Sometimes it’s the overall atmosphere; you can’t quite explain what’s wrong, but you feel that something is off. So, you use music to release those feelings trapped inside you. But it’s something I haven't learned to control yet. I never know when the muse will show up. You just have to be ready when it happens and keep working. Music is basically my therapist, If I didn't have music or art to express myself—to say the things I can't put into words—I'd be in a really bad place right now.
But honestly, as soon as the muse is there, I don't care where I'm working. Sometimes I just sit on the floor with headphones on and compose better songs than if I were in a huge studio filled with instruments. It's all about finding the right mood; the workspace doesn't really matter to me. I'm not a very materialistic person.
4. City Lifestyle and Art: How the places you lived influenced your career and work?
It has a massive influence. When I was hanging out in the alternative squat scene in Brussels, I would add a bit of dirty noise to my tracks because it perfectly represented the cold, wet Brussels winter. In Paris, I started softening my music while keeping a street edge. At one point, I went to compose music in Florence, and I found myself making Dolce Vitastyle tracks because the vibe was pure "Grande Bellezza." I also spent some time in Romania and wanted to make Manele music... I think if I went to settle down in Brazil, I’d end up making bossa nova. Whether it's in music or in life, I believe you always need to stay in motion and never stand still. I enjoy going to wind down in the countryside, just listening to the birds, but after a couple of days, I lose my mind. I start craving the city, wanting to lose myself in the crowd, to see people, to hear the roar of the city and the sound of modern madness.
5. Latest or Upcoming Projects: Give us a glimpse into your current endeavors and what lies ahead on your creative journey.
I released a single two months ago called AMERIKA. Fun story: when I wired the money to my sound engineer for the mix, I wrote "mix Amerika" in the transfer memo. My bank immediately blocked it and called to ask if I had ties to Cuba! It was hilarious.
On May 29th, I’m releasing a new 4-track EP called "Firma," which I composed between Paris, Florence, and Rustavi (Georgia). Back in Georgia, "Firma" used to mean a product coming from the West. So, this is kind of my first EP that leans into Western melodies. More than anything, it’s a very individualistic project where I only talk about my life, my loves, and my problems—it’s deeply personal. Right now, the world is such a mess that I prefer not to touch upon any heavy topics. Just sweet, beautiful music to help people forget the absolute absurdity of the current world for a moment.
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Instagram: @murman_tsuladze_air_carpet_co
TikTok: @murmantsuladze_of
YouTube: @murmantsuladze
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