All good things must come to an end, but that doesn’t mean they can’t go out with a bang. The Unsound Festival’s closing party boasts a lineup with Napszyklat, Sun Araw vs. Heat Wave, Eltron John and a live set from Maria Minerva. The Estonian producer, who currently lives and studies in London, recently released some of the most thought-provoking music that we’ve heard in a while on the always on-point 100% Silk and Not Not Fun. She’s playing a live set for her first NYC show where we anticipate her spaced-out avant-pop sounds will translate well to the dancefloor – for a preview of what you’re in for, check out the mix she made for FACT magazine here. Everything kicks off this Sunday at 8:45 at Glasslands Gallery for only $10, full details here. In the meantime, follow the jump to read a little interview we did with Maria as a preview of her performance.

URB: What have you been up to lately?

Maria Minerva: Re-settling in London town. I spent the winter in Portugal but back in London since March. Doing the usual stuff, remixes, e-mails, projects here and there, preparing my 2nd album release. Also – cycling, discovering my new neighbourhood, going out clubbing like 2-3 times a week (really missed the UK bass). Livin life…

URB: You’ve been working on a Masters in Aural & Visual Cultures, how do you think that influences the way you approach making music?

MM: That is a very abstract question, isn’t it. It is like asking whether eating carrots influences my music. Of course both do, yeah. We cannot talk about direct connections but as a human being I filter all this and gain knowledge, energy etc. The course I did (and am still about to finish) was a very experimental one, at times I felt as if I am a part of a cult. Like, I wrote an essay and for the first 4 pages I tried to analyse the black hole on Sunn o)))’s “Monoliths and Dimensions” album cover. You know, that kind of stuff. And got away with it.

URB: Do you think that you make music more as an escape, or as an outlet?

MM: I make music because it seems like the most natural thing to do. Music comes from within, you cannot really push it to come out, or stop it from coming out. I studied art history and theory for like 5 yrs at uni but now sing silly songs and accompany myself on a synthesizer. Didn’t really expect things to turn out like this.

URB: What would you say some of your biggest influences are?

MM: Tallinn, other cities, Viva Channel, Sonic Youth, sex, Philip Glass, etc

URB: Can you tell us about the 100% Silk documentary you’re going to be taking part in this summer?

MM: So yeah, me and my label people are touring Europe in a van. Ben Shearn is documenting it. Well, I don’t know what it is gonna be like. Depends on us and our tantrums. I’m sure it is gonna be hilarious, I don’t know if Ben wants more behind-the-scenes stuff or like document mainly the shows. I suppose behind-the-scenes is more interesting, we have a very funny group of people and I’m sure there’s gonna be some drama and also some revelatory moments.

URB: There’s the reference to Helene Cixous in the album title Cabaret Cixous, and the sample of Avital Ronell in ‘Spiral.’ Are these feminist references things that you’re conscious of including in your work?

MM: Well, obviously. But I’m kinda tired of dicussing this. Talked about it so many times but I’m not sure if it matters, and being a chick from east Europe has probably only benefitted me, so I wouldn’t say I am a suffering feminist. I think they call people like me “lipstick feminists”. So yeah. Nowadays I mainly care about music matters, to be honest.

URB: Who won the basketball game in your video for Ruff Trade?

MM: Haha, yeah obviously not me. I suck at basketball although I am like 5’11 tall.

URB: What’s coming up for you next?

MM: A lot of releases, me and LA Vampires collab in June, also my collab with the Estonian house legend Ajukaja. Then on August 1 Not Not Fun will put out my 2nd album. Doing one-off things with various people, all very exciting but maybe a bit too early to talk about. Music all the way I’d say. and also 10000 other things…

Maria will play Sunday, April 22nd at Glasslands Gallery in Brooklyn. Click here for details.