Tatort Zürich: The sonic velvet suit for the Schauspielhaus

The music she played - mostly as part of the duo Nguzunguzu - was always so modern that you couldn't even name it yet. And yet you couldn't help but dance to it. Asma Maroof, born in 1985, has been part of the Schauspielhaus Ensemble since 2019.

Asma, you were known as an extremely eclectic DJ. You were firmly rooted in dance music - and in your hometown Los Angeles. How did you end up in Zurich?
Quite simply, the director Wu Tsang asked me if I wanted to be part of her ensemble. That was in 2019.
 

What exactly do you do there?
I'm part of the group Moved by the Motion, which includes performance artist Tosh Basco, dancer Josh Johnson, and cellist Patrick Belaga. The majority of my work is with Wu and choreographer Trajal Harrell.
 

You are a master at finding the right soundtrack for each setting, each mood, each scene. What is your biggest challenge in terms of working in theater?
Sometimes it's hard for me to slip into the role as a performer. I tend to be someone who sits in a dark corner and pushes buttons.

Have you always had a close relationship with the theater?
No, the theater world is still quite new to me - even though I went to an art school until 12th grade. So I've been doing theater since I was a kid. Without any intention at all.

You were always at the forefront of dance music. You always knew two years in advance what we were going to move to. How has the pandemic affected your searching and listening habits?
The interest in new music hasn't changed. I'm always looking for new sounds. What has changed are listening habits. I don't know if it has to do with the theater and the pandemic, but I've been listening to a lot of jazz and ambient lately. But I still love dance music, of course, and will always find my way back to it.

While listening to your super eclectic "Quarantina Mixtape", I received an email from you writing, "I've retired from DJing." For real? Why?
Hmm... Maybe I'm just taking a break to focus on other things. Who knows.

Does that mean your Perfect Lullaby party series is dead?
Never! As long as there is sleep, there will be lullabies.

Marvin Gaye. One of the greatest. Played by you over and over again, always included in mixes. What do you associate with him?
Silk.
 

You're from LA, you've been all over the world as a DJ. Don't you get bored here in Zurich?
Nope, I love Zurich. I can focus wonderfully on my projects here.
 

How does Zurich sound?
Crisp.
 

Where does Zurich sound best?
In the summer, while floating down the river.

Which Zurich musicians inspire you?
It's hard to say, but I like Rufio.
 

Which clubs and concert venues do you like?
The Future and the Red Factory.

Shakespeare or Sheck Wes?
In case you didn't catch it, Sheck Wes has been canceled.
 

Yello or Fai Baba?
I'm not sure about that...

Kalabrese or Kehlani?
Kehlani.
 

The weirdest word in Swiss German?
I don't know if it's the weirdest, but my friends could tell you that I love saying "genau" over and over again.

What's coming to Zurich?
We will see!