Inside The New Shoppingbag – Catarina Aimée Dahms aka Cata.Pirata

Each month we ask a known user of The New Shoppingbag about their experiences with the bag and with some aspects of life in general. In the 6th episode: Catarina Aimée Dahms aka Cata.Pirata of the band SKIP&DIE

Describe yourself in three words.
tropicaliente afrofuturistic nomadimaverick

Where are you now?
In the jungle of my imagination

Tell us something about you and The New Shoppingbag
The New Shoppingbag has been my companion to nearly every continent (all but Antartica and Australia) on tour! They’re the most useful stylish bags I own (light, adaptable, unbreakable). I’ve had a couple of the bags for about 10 years (!) and they are still just as wonderful as they were to begin with; the sustainability is incredible.

Tell us something about Susan.
Susan and I used to be neighbors years ago so I am lucky to have been an early user of her fantastic designs. I remember being invited to her studio where she made the bags and I recall (as an art student) being in complete awe of the colorful world she had created, and wishing that one day I too could inhabit an equally exotic studio!

What ecological measures would you take if you ruled the world?
I’d love to implement the worldwide rule that for every baby born a tree should be planted. Trees are our life force – they contribute to everything we need to survive as a species. And I feel it would be a great way to put us all back in touch with Mother Nature, make us and our children aware of investing in the future. And how beautiful a thought: as you grow, so does your tree! It’s your roots – your past and your future.

How do you brighten up your existence?
I try to evoke a feeling of togetherness during our live-shows. I feel there is an immense power within each and every one of us and if we channel it towards the positive we can achieve so much. So during every show I try to connect to the audience and whirl us all up into another dimension in unity.

Which part does color play in that process?
My style, and show outfits, are usually pretty colorful, I love being a bird of paradise. For example, in the picture you took of me I am wearing a delightful rainbow dress created by the inspirational Australian designer Nixi Killick (nixikillick.com).

Which music have you been listening to recently?

Francis Bebey – Forest Nativity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPXv2gm3yuI

Ibeyi – River
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHRAPIwsS5I 

Paloma del Cerro – A la mañanita
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpHTDMBvKx4

SKIP&DIE + Lindigo – Maloya Magic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JByJHIZ9AC0

What is your biggest loss?
I think growing up in such an extremely turbulent country as South Africa has made me, from a young age, very aware of the thin line between life and death. The people that I have lost over the years will forever be part of my DNA in the constant winding cosmic serpent of life, death and rebirth.

What is your ultimate destination?
I’d like to carve a sustainable path; start a community of like-minded beings, in which we share knowledge and skills, laughter, creativity and self-sufficiency – so we don’t have to rely on the choices of governments and corporations that try to dominate our lives with their greed. I’d like to feel in-tune with myself, Pacha Mama, and the ones I love. From this point of departure anything is possible!

www.skipndie.com

All images by Jan Bijl.

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