Caroline Lethô

For this edition of Attack’s Show & Tell series, we spotlight Caroline Lethô and the release of her debut full-length EP, Transmutations. Blending personal evolution with club energy, the record captures her shift from city life to nature and marks a new chapter in her artistic journey.

The evolution of Caroline Lethô’s sound is deeply rooted in her multicultural upbringing. Born in Portugal to Indian and African parents, she grew up surrounded by music, often absorbing the tones of her father’s saxophone during jazz rehearsals.

Since her breakout 2015 EP Éter, Lethô has become a prominent figure in Lisbon’s underground scene and beyond, performing at iconic venues and festivals including Tresor, Dekmantel Selectors, and Atonal. She also co-organises Mud Re Terra, a festival in rural Portugal that fuses ecological awareness, experimental art, and collective living. Now, she returns with her first full-length EP, Transmutations, on Beat Palace Records.

This short film by Atmos really stayed with me. It explores the idea of union – between humans, with nature, and with ourselves. Rather than presenting abstract climate doom, it leans into intimacy, cooperation, and interdependence. It reminds us that healing the planet is not just about fixing systems, but about mending relationships.

This type of storytelling re-centers me. The poetic visuals, the wisdom of the narrators, and the way it weaves personal responsibility with collective potential – it all resonates deeply. The climate crisis often feels overwhelming, but Atmos reframes it through beauty and care. It’s about remembering what we’re part of, what we’ve forgotten, and what we might return to. That kind of narrative feels not only necessary, but urgently sacred.

This documentary feels like required viewing for anyone who believes in music as a tool for liberation. Free Party: A Folk History tells the story of a moment in UK counterculture when ravers and new age travellers came together to create something radically free – gatherings outside the reach of capitalism, fueled by community, spirit, and sound.

What draws me in is not just the political dimension, but the emotional charge of reclaiming space and autonomy through collective action. These were not just parties – they were resistance, communion, and expressions of joy in the face of repression. The film captures the energy of that time, from Spiral Tribe to DiY, and how this movement was so powerful it triggered the Criminal Justice Act of 1994.

This TED Talk by mycologist Paul Stamets isn’t centered on psychedelics, but instead opens a wider door into the intelligence of nature, the vast underground networks that mirror neural pathways, and the deep symbiosis between fungi and all life on Earth. Stamets frames mushrooms as healers, connectors, and silent revolutionaries – agents of transformation for soil, ecosystems, and even human consciousness.

What resonates most is the reminder that our future depends not only on technological progress but also on recognizing our place within larger living systems. These ancient organisms – capable of communication, regeneration, and decomposition with such elegance – may hold keys to both ecological renewal and inner evolution.

This is one of those videos I return to often, especially in transitional or uncertain moments. In “The Dream of Life,” Alan Watts plays with a thought experiment: What if life is a dream we’re dreaming ourselves into? What if, beyond fear and control, we chose this, all of this, to feel surprise, connection, and wonder? The video overlays his voice with stunning visuals, adding to that sense of timelessness and surrender. It always reminds me of the importance of trust, not blind trust but a deeper kind rooted in presence.

I see it as a soft psychedelic, a mirror held up to the self that invites you to dissolve and reassemble. Watts doesn’t shout or preach; he opens a door and invites you to float through it. His voice, rhythm, and wisdom form a kind of inner landscape that I find similar to certain states accessed in ceremony or nature. In a world that often demands certainty, this reminds me that the beauty lies in the unknown, the unfolding, the dream.

This is pure nonsense, and I love it. A ticking noise in the wall leads to a chain of characters chanting their own names in increasingly dramatic rhythms until… well, I won’t spoil it. If you know, you know. If you don’t, you’re in for something delightfully pointless. I still don’t know exactly why this video is so satisfying, but maybe that’s the point. It taps into that early YouTube energy: lo-fi, strange, and catchy as hell. The characters are made of felt and chaos. The punchline is explosive and silly. And yet it’s also kind of genius.

I think humor like this is a form of medicine, not trying to be clever, just bizarre and joyful. It’s rhythm, repetition, and character condensed into two minutes of puppet magic. A break from thinking. A reminder not to take things or ourselves too seriously. I’ve caught myself quoting this in kitchens, forests, airports… “Snape. Snape. Severus Snape.” It never fails.

I love bacalhau, salted cod, and this traditional recipe, Bacalhau com Todos, is my favourite way to enjoy it. This dish is a cornerstone of Portuguese cuisine, especially cherished during Christmas Eve (Consoada), symbolising togetherness and the bounty of the sea. The beauty of Bacalhau com Todos lies in its simplicity and the harmony of its ingredients: tender cod, boiled potatoes, carrots, turnips, cabbage, and eggs, all brought together with a generous drizzle of olive oil infused with garlic. It's a meal that speaks of home, of family gatherings, and of the timeless tradition of sharing a hearty dish around the table.

What I appreciate most about this recipe is how it transforms humble ingredients into a comforting feast. Each bite carries the essence of Portuguese culinary heritage, yet the dish remains accessible and inviting. It's a reminder that the simplest meals often hold the most profound connections to our roots and to each other.

I stayed at Avanilaya with my partner, Sym Potion, during the Sultry Mist festival, where I performed a creation inspired by the mando, a traditional Goan musical style close to my heart. Corjuem, this peaceful island in Goa, holds strong bonds with my family history, so being there felt like coming full circle. The resort itself is a sanctuary of luxury and tranquility, with villas that blend traditional Goan architecture and modern comforts, set amidst lush gardens and serene courtyards.

What makes Avanilaya special is its intimacy and connection to nature. With only 11 rooms, eco-friendly design, and grounds alive with birds and wildlife, it feels private and restorative. For me, it is more than just a resort; it’s a reflection of home, heritage, and the harmonious blend of past and present.

Over the past months, I’ve been revisiting the works of Bell Hooks and Aldous Huxley, two voices from different eras that both offer profound insights into culture, consciousness, and transformation. Bell Hooks’s writings on love, community, and intersectionality challenge me to look beyond surface divides and engage with empathy and justice. Her vision of love as a radical force for social change reminds me that healing is not only personal but also collective.

Aldous Huxley’s explorations in books like The Doors of Perception open paths to altered states and expanded awareness, blending mysticism, science, and philosophy. His reflections on psychedelics, perception, and reality inform my own artistic journey, especially in exploring sound and vibration as portals to deeper experience. Together, these authors inspire me to stay grounded in justice while daring to dream beyond the ordinary, offering guidance for how to move with both clarity and heart in turbulent times.

Caroline Lethô – Transmutations EP is out now on Beat Palace Records. Buy on Bandcamp.

Find Caroline Lethô on Instagram.

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