This Zurich woman couldn’t care less what she eats for breakfast. Orisha Deverell is DJ Selectress Yamuna, Black Pancakes is a music blog and she is a mouthpiece for artists of color.
Slow Monday in Zurich – a juicy pancake on the plate, reggae in the background to start the week. Some Monday morning, carefree for a change. The Zurich native is in an easy mood – the vibe is absolutely there to bring Black Pancakes to life. It’s supposed to be a music blog: a platform for independent artists from here and further afield, without a label deal or with their own. And like them, the artists are people of color. Orisha Thanika Yamuna Shivaya Deverell is committed to Monday breakfast, the Black community and music. Since then, she has been serving up artists of color from reggae, funk and soul in a weekly playlist – Monday Music, it’s no coincidence. It’s talent: Dad is a Jamaican musician, mom is an artist from Zurich. Orisha inherits her passion for music from him, while her mother paints the logo. Local artists design the playlist covers, friends print hoodies and tote bags – friends support each other however they can. The helping hands behind Black Pancakes come from graphic design, photography and fashion – local freelancers, and like the featured artists, people of color. Supporting the local community – that’s what the 21-year-old is all about. A support that she can also count on when she ventures into the Zurich club scene. Orisha is a DJ, calls himself Selectress Yamuna and plays reggae. Afrobeats, soul, funk and UK garage. Still Black Pancakes, but louder: the DJ booth plays all the songs of the Artists of Color, to which the Zurich native now also belongs – and for which she wants to continue to stand up. If Black Pancakes are the breakfast of love – Orisha, play on!
