Who is Karlis Zaid?
I’m an actor, singer, writer and currently a producer.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Next time, I’d get someone else to produce ! But, all hilarity aside… I write songs, but my composing skills are limited. In the future, I’d like to learn a few more chords.
Who inspires you and why?
Given that I’m about to do a show about him, I would of course have to say David Bowie. Bowie was a polymath. Singer, composer, actor, painter, insanely literate… I feel that it will take my entire lifetime to appreciate his.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
This might seem like an odd answer, but I’d like to gently draw people into thinking about and talking about things they usually don’t want to face. For about 20 years or so, the stuff I’ve been writing for my shows like The Beautiful Losers and Australian Gothic has had a common thread of dark satire, designed to make audiences face the often scary truths of the world.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
That’s a very tough question for a Polish vagabond… I’ll have to say Berlin. The whole city is like a character from a film noir. The present, past and future all colliding together every single day. No wonder Bowie moved there to escape L.A.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
My show, Loving The Alien, naturally ! A rock’n’roll odyssey to uncover the *real* David Bowie. Arts Centre Melbourne: 3 – 6 July.
What are you currently reading?
Aside from copious Bowie biographies, Haruki Murakami’s latest, The City and Its Uncertain Walls. He’s not for everyone, but I absolutely love his kind of beat-poet philosophy.
What are you currently listening to?
You may see a theme start to emerge here… I’m listening to a vast amount of David Bowie ! And also, as a spin-off, I’ve just compiled the play-out music for my show, from when Bowie did a 1979 BBC radio DJ set. And what he liked listening to, well that is a real trip.
Happiness is?
A full house, waiting for that pin to drop.
What does the future hold for you?
Haha, you know what I’m gonna say, don’t you? Loving The Alien, featuring yours truly, Aurora Kurth, Andrew Patterson and Aaron Syrjanen.
Karlis stars in Loving The Alien – which will be presented in The Showroom – Arts Centre Melbourne from 3 – 6 July 2025. For more information, visit: www.artcentremelbourne.com.au for details.
Image: Karlis Zaid (supplied)