Christina Mantis is a vocalist known for songs that offer honest, and at times ironic, reflections on personal life. Her work focuses on women in society, relationships, and the everyday revolution in which each of us can take part. From an early age, she was shaped by rock ’n’ roll, soul, and punk music.
On the occasion of her performance at Klub Stodoła as the opening act for Kamil Bednarek, we spoke with Christina about music, the role of women in the industry, and performing live.
You’re the only woman in the band, does that affect the dynamic, or on stage are you all musicians without any divisions?
The dynamic is that this is my project, which also includes a band. I manage everything myself, I create music with a producer and I also perform with a live band - so it’s quite a broad setup.
When it comes to concerts and the band, I’ve been in mostly male groups since I was young, so it feels very natural to me. It also taught me how to communicate openly, including when I need space ( for example, I often like to be alone for a bit after a show) and that’s fully respected.
I also communicate things very directly with them, even simple things like when I’m on my period and don’t have as much energy as on other days. But I genuinely have a great time with the guys in the band,we share a lot of laughs. Of course, sometimes they can annoy me, but no healthy relationship is perfect all the time. At the end of the day, every show feels like a space where I can fully switch off and just be present in the music.
Have you ever felt that women in the music industry have to prove something more than men?
I don’t see it as a competition and I would honestly love for this constant need to compete and prove oneself to disappear. That’s my personal view, though - reality is often different.I think we still have a lot to learn from each other. What matters most is listening, communicating with respect, and giving space.
How do you think the role of women in the music scene is changing today, do you see a real shift in recent years?
I feel it has changed not only in the sense that women are visible as artists, but also in that they are increasingly behind the scenes - as producers, managers, and leaders of their own projects, shaping the direction of their work.
There is also a growing confidence in how women present their music and how openly they talk about emotions, identity, opinions, and personal experiences.
Of course, there are still areas that need improvement, and this shift often comes with criticism or resistance from some sides. But overall, I see much more freedom and possibility to define your own path.
You are a real hero! You came to Warsaw from Slovakia and performed just a few days after having your appendix removed. What made you decide to go on stage despite everything?
A few minutes before going under full anesthesia, I actually asked the doctor on the operating table whether they thought I would be able to play the concert (I had surgery on Tuesday and the show was on Saturday). They told me it might be possible, depending on how I feel.
I only hesitated a little because I was worried I might faint during the show. But my feeling was very clear - I wanted to do it. And in the end, I did.
How did your body react to performing so soon after the surgery? Were there moments when you thought, “maybe this was a crazy idea after all”?
After the show, when the adrenaline wore off, I did feel a bit sick. I lay on the couch for a while, but after about half an hour it passed.
That it was a bit crazy is obvious, but when I saw how many people were watching us, I just got really excited and fully into it.
Did this concert feel emotionally different for you because of the circumstances in which it took place?
I feel that after the surgery I started appreciating things more and enjoying life more , both the good and the bad that comes with it. I find myself thinking more often, “why not?”, I want to go for things, but at the same time, there is also more awareness and balance, I know my limits. Playfulness and curiosity are very important to me, and these experiences, the surgery and the concert, definitely strengthened that.
Do situations like this change how you see what performing live means to you?
In situations like this, it doesn’t really change what performing live means to me, but it reinforces why I love it so much. Every show feels like a space where I can fully switch off from everything else and just be present in the music.
If you had to describe music in three words that best capture who you are as an artist, what would they be?
Emotion. Playfulness. Dirty elegance (let´s count that as one word :) )
Is there anything you would like to say to young girls who dream of entering the world of music?
Be curious and try to discover who you truly are. There will always be someone who judges you for doing what you love. What matters is determination, finding yourself, but also staying open to advice from people who inspire you and being honest enough to admit that you’re still learning - it’s like mixing a magic potion.
