Singer-songwriter KOSCHKA makes her solo debut with beautifully minimalist new single, The Flood, out now via Part Du Decor Records.
Already the lead singer of indie-electro quartet Nausica, who recently released their cinematic new single Black & White, KOSCHKA started out as a solo project in 2012. The Flood is the first single to be taken from her debut album, which will contain a combination of her own songs and re-arrangements of classical German songs from composers such as Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann. While KOSCHKA is not a classically trained musician, she works extremely intuitively and manages to combine her classical interests with her love of PJ Harvey and experimentation to create something gently genre-defying.
Recorded in one take, The Flood is a laconic piece of captivating piano-pop about ephemeral love, acceptance, regret and the beautiful melancholia of being absorbed in memory.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with KOSCHKA about the latest release, motivations, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
I’ve started making music in bands and as a singer you’re quite depending on other musicians. After a while I felt like I needed a compensation of musical expression I was missing. Since I already played the piano I started to write for myself with a complete freedom of expression. I didn‘t think of a specific style while writing, but I think there are a few things which are always a big part of it, e.g. the moments of silence and a fluent melancholia. It‘s mutual inspiring to have a solo project and a band.
What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?
There was nothing else that felt more important to do! I wasn’t really good at anything else and singing was always a part of my life I felt certain about, it felt natural. I wasn‘t sure if I do want to be on stage in general or only compose, but after my first longer tour and the experience I made that people are honestly moved, I felt it‘s something I have to keep on doing, not only for myself. That knowledge gave me a very different perspective on my musical goals.
Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?
Of course, but in general I can always say, there‘s a reason why I was attracted to some genre or style of music. I would say your taste changes with your your curiousity and your intuitive research of what kind of music you listen to is connected to your own taste and approach. I started with the experimental and neo-soul sound of Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill when I was 16, than I went to Scandinavian minimalistic Jazz with artists like e.g. Sidsel Endresen, Bugge Wesseltoft, later Björk, Canadian musician Patrick Watson and more and more back to pop music, or even band music. At home I mostly listen to some all time favorites while cooking, like e.g. George Brassens, Johnny Cash, Chet Baker, PJ Harvey or Elliot Smith.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
Yes, actually the songs I play are half mine and half re-arrangements of classical old German songs from e.g. Franz Schubert and Robert Schuhmann. I also started to work on a song from the ‚Carmen’ (Bizet) opera, which I know already since I am 17 years old. It‘s been in my head for a while, but only when I moved to Berlin and my acoustic piano got transported from my parents house in South Germany to my place in Berlin, after 10 years being separated from it, I started to work on it. That was such a thrill. I could wake up, drink some coffee and sit at the piano for hours in the morning. That‘s actually how ‚The Flood‘ was recorded. A one-take in the morning with only one microphone.
What was the last song you listened to?
Songs from a French singer, Barbara.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Vinyl.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?
I am on Spotify, Google, Soundcloud, Apple music. Everywhere. Actually on all digital streaming services.
Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?
Like my Facebook page if you want to stay up to date for my live shows!
