Simona Castricum blends influences from queer and trans archives of new wave, post-punk, dream-pop, techno, and electro, exploring queer relationships in dystopian urban landscapes. She’s earned multiple award nominations, including Best Electronic Work and Best Solo Artist at the 2020 and 2024 Music Victoria Awards. Her albums Panic/Desire and SINK were long-listed for the Australian Music Prize, with SINK also nominated for Best Dance or Electronic Release at the 2024 AIR Awards. Simona performs live with guitarist Em Gayfer and Anetta Nevin, playing major Australian festivals Golden Plains, Dark Mofo, VIVID, and Melbourne Music Week, supporting artists like Lydia Lunch, Drab Majesty, and Peaches. Her music has been remixed by Aérea Negrot, Chiara Kickdrum, and Various Asses, and she has also produced and remixed for artists like Courtney Barnett and Vincey. A former DJ in Naarm/Melbourne’s underground queer and BDSM club scenes, Simona launched The Shock of the New in the late 2000s, a club night focused on trans and gender-diverse inclusivity. Her DJ sets, an energetic mix of new beat, techno, and house, have been featured at clubs like HugsNKisses and Fantastic. In 2017, she formed the duo SaD with the late Daphne Camf, their album Saturn Rules the Material World earning a Music Victoria Award nomination for Best Electronic Act.