In this Virtual Sessions episode, Milan-based singer and songwriter Erika Grapes opens up about her artistic journey, the meaning behind her stage name, and the evolution of her music. She explains how “Grapes” began as a playful nickname on music forums and eventually became her professional identity, representing the colorful and eclectic nature of her artistry.

Her latest single, a cover of Love is a Bitch by Two Feet, reflects both personal heartbreak and artistic transformation. Originally drawn to its sensual and bluesy vibe, Erika reimagined the track with an industrial edge inspired by Nine Inch Nails, blending cabaret-style rhythms with electronic textures. She recalls how recording the vocals became a cathartic release, channeling raw emotion into a bold new interpretation.

The conversation turns deeply personal as Erika shares the trauma that once drove her away from live performance and the healing process that helped her return to the stage. Collaborating with producer Eugene gave her the confidence to perform again, and she highlights the role of therapy, poetry, and self-expression in overcoming fear. Her lyric visualizer for Love is a Bitch emerged from improvised photography in an abandoned mill, showing her resourcefulness and creative vision.

Looking ahead, Erika teases upcoming projects including a dream pop original with producer Veronica Hall and a cover of Choking Outlines by Ren. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, embracing eclecticism across genres, and letting inspiration arrive naturally rather than forcing it. With influences ranging from Fiona Apple to Nick Cave, Erika continues to craft music that balances vulnerability, experimentation, and resilience.

0:38 - The origin and meaning behind the name Erika Grapes

5:21 - Covering Love is a Bitch and transforming its style

8:56 - Meeting Eugene and building a creative partnership

10:07 - Returning to live performance after personal trauma

13:47 - The role of therapy and poetry in healing

16:01 - Ego, validation, and the pitfalls of fame

20:07 - Creating the lyric visualizer with improvised photography

24:06 - Upcoming singles and collaborations with Veronica Hall

31:52 - Choosing songs that hold deep personal meaning

38:29 - Stage presence, dissociation, and hypnotic live energy

Discover Erika Grapes’ music and upcoming releases at Linktree.

Follow Erika on Instagram @erikagrapes for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

Check out producer Eugene’s work at eugeneofficial.com.

Explore more exclusive interviews, live sessions, and music features at thedjsessions.com.

About  Erika Grapes -

Erika Grapes (Erika Conti) is an Italian-Hungarian singer-songwriter whose work blends dream pop, electro-pop, and alternative pop. Born in Lovere, on Lake Iseo, and raised near Milan, she began her musical path performing in London with the band Bungalow Purple before moving into solo projects that explore a more cinematic and introspective sound.

Her music often merges nostalgic textures with modern electronic elements, shaped by influences ranging from Billie Holiday and Nina Simone to The Cure, Fiona Apple, and Lana Del Rey. Known for her ethereal voice and atmospheric arrangements, she has released both original tracks and distinctive reinterpretations of cult songs, including Mazzy Star’s “Into Dust”, Nick Cave’s “Red Right Hand”, and The Doors’ “People Are Strange.”

In 2024, her single “Once Upon an Ordinary” — co-written with Felix Subway and produced by Lorenzo Montanà — passed the first round of consideration at the Grammy Awards in the Best Alternative Performance category. Later that year, she released “Take My Heaven,” a new wave-inspired collaboration with Vincenzo of Way To Blue.

Her most recent project is a collaboration with electronic music artist Eugene (Eugenio Valente) on the single “Love is a Bitch” (2025), a reinterpretation of the Two Feet track accompanied by a lyric visualizer. The project highlights her continued interest in cross-genre collaborations and her exploration of darker, emotionally charged themes.

Active on platforms such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and Instagram, Erika describes her sound as “Indie Chill Dark Dream Pop with dashes of Fierce and Fatale.” Her work reflects recurring themes of vulnerability, resilience, and transformation, situating her among the emerging voices of the European indie and alternative scene.

Social media: linktr.ee/erikagrapes

About The DJ Sessions -

“The DJ Sessions” is a Twitch/Mixcloud "Featured Partner” live streaming/podcast series featuring electronic music DJ’s/Producers via live mixes/interviews and streamed/distributed to a global audience. TheDJSessions.com

The series constantly places in the “Top Ten” on Twitch Music and the “Top Five” in the “Electronic Music", “DJ", "Dance Music" categories. TDJS is rated in the Top 0.11% of live streaming shows on Twitch out of millions of live streamers.

"The DJ Sessions" is listed in the Feedspot directory as one of the Top 60 EDM Podcasts.

It has also been recognized by Apple twice as a "New and Noteworthy” podcast and featured three times in the Apple Music Store video podcast section. UStream and Livestream have also listed the series as a "Featured" stream on their platforms since its inception.

The series is also streamed live to multiple other platforms and hosted on several podcast sites. It has a combined live streaming/podcast audience is over 125,000 viewers per week.

With over 2,700 episodes produced over the last 16 years "The DJ Sessions" has featured international artists such as: Matt Staffanina, The Midnight, Felix Sama, Jens Lissat, BT, Plastik Funk, Redman, Youngr, Dr. Fresch, Ferry Corsten, Robert Owens, Darude, Herbert Holler, Meecah, YORK, Martin Jensen, Sevenn, Amber D, Joey Riot, Drove, Martin Trevy, Thomas Datt, Siryuz & Smoky, Simon Shackleton, SurfingDJ's, Jacob Henry, Rïa Mehta, Vintage & Morrelli,  Joachim Garraud, Mizeyesis, Drop Out Orchestra, Dave Lambert, Tom Wax, Kenn Colt, <a href="https:/