Kat Frankie, one of the most charismatic and impressive vocals of recent years, is getting ready for her first performance in Istanbul, at Salon İKSV on February 25th.
We talked about so many things such as her moving decision to Berlin, upcoming Istanbul concert, her other collaborations and new plans for the near future.
Enjoy!
You were born in Sydney and lived there till you moved to Berlin. How was it like to grow up in Australia? Why did you decide to move to Berlin?
When I first came to Berlin, I thought I would stay for just a year. But I discovered such a vibrant, beautiful music-making community here that didn’t exist for me back home, so I stayed longer and longer… and now it’s been 12 years. While Australia is a gorgeous country, it can be tough to be an artist there. Everything is so expensive, and they don’t support their artists as well as they do in Germany. Also when you live in Berlin it’s very easy to tour in Europe, and come to places like Istanbul for example.
Is it true that you began composing at age of 6? What kind of motivation did you have to do so?
I may have been even younger. I was always singing as a child, always making up songs. I don’t really know why - my theory is that when we sing to ourselves or to others, the soundwaves create lots of nice vibrations in our bodies. I was a creative child, and I think it just felt good to sing.
Can you tell the lyric writing process? What inspires you most?
I’m not someone who can compose music and then write the lyrics later. It has to happen all at once: the melody and the words. They need to be inseparable. I think my best songs are where the meaning is present in all elements of the song from the start: it should be built into the music’s DNA and not be added later.
You sing with Clueso at the song "Wenn Du Liebst". How did this collaboration happen? Will there be any similar duet projects?
I met Clueso through a good friend of mine, the singer/songwriter Tim Neuhaus. Tim happens to also play drums for Clueso. A few years ago I sang a duet with Tim for his last album, and Clueso heard it. When Clueso wrote ‘Wenn Du Liebst’, he thought I should be the one to sing it with him. There will probably be more duets in the future, because they’re really fun to do. I don’t have to do anything but sing.
You also collaborated with Konstantin Gropper ( Get Well Soon ) for the soundtrack of Schulz & Böhmermann. What's the story behind this project?
As well as my other projects, I also play guitar in Olli Schulz’s band, and so Olli asked me to write some background music for his TV show. Because Konstantin doesn’t live in Berlin we collaborated purely via email, sending files back-and-forth, with Konstantin adding some instruments to the music I’d composed and recorded, and myself adding vocals to the theme song he’d written. We only actually met in person a few weeks ago!
You are also a member of a band "Keøma" with Chris Klopfer and published a debut album in early 2016. Can you tell us anything about this partnership?
Keøma is another collaboration of mine. I met Chris a few years ago, and he sent me some great ideas for songs that he asked me to help him finish. He’s a great singer and knows how to write a good hook. At the time I was looking for a new project to produce that didn’t sound like my other stuff. I wanted to record synthesizers and program beats and get away from the singer/songwriter world. I recorded the entire album in my living room in Berlin! Because Chris and I both have our own very melancholy solo-projects, Keøma is kind of our pop music playground.
We know that you refused to host a festival, because there were no female musician on the line-up. And recently, Bjork shared her opinions about the perception of female musicians in the sector. Do you think there is a discrimination in the music industry? What are the difficulties that you face most?
I don’t think there’s overt discrimination. I don’t think there are people out there plotting against female musicians. But I think we could all agree there’s a lot more men who have music careers than women, and we might ask ourselves how we can welcome more women into this industry. There was a recent project in Austria that tracked the number of female musicians who are active in that country, and the figure was around 10%. About 2/3rds of those musicians were singers. I would guess it’s about the same for Germany. My personal experience is that when I’m backstage at music festivals, I’m often the only female musician there. I’d like to see festival bookers be a bit more pro-active in seeking out emerging female artists and bands for their line-ups. Of course they’re not obligated to, but it would go a long way in improving the diversity of the industry. It would also give more young female artists access to an income stream that - particularly with independent acts - helps pay for albums to be recorded and promoted, new instruments to be purchased etc.. If women have limited access to that then they may be edged out of the industry before they’re even established, because they can’t afford to participate. We might just be robbing the world of a lot of creative talent.
You'll play at Salon İKSV, Istanbul on 25th February. It will be your first performance in Istanbul, right? How do you feel about this concert? Do you know anything about the city?
Yes! My first show in Turkey. I’ve been wanting to play there for years now. I don’t know much about the city, except it’s snowing a lot there right now! Stay warm!
People are hardly feel safe all around the world, due to recent terror attacks. I think music is one of the best ways that make people unite through love and peace. What do you think about it?
Music is something naturally unifies people, because experiencing music is something that people often do together. But music isn’t always about love and peace and understanding because it’s an expression of what makes us human. It can also be a protest, a declaration of anger or even hate. But I think music’s main power is that our favourite bands and songs can make us feel like somewhere there is someone who understands us; who can relate to or articulate our experience, and when we listen we feel less alone in this mixed-up world.
Is there any album plans soon? Will we able to hear new songs from you in the near future?
Yes and yes. My new album is almost finished and should come out later this year. I’ll be bringing some new somgs with me to Istanbul.
Which bands/musicians do you listen on these days?
Oh I listen to anything and everything. Lots of Berlin acts: Me & My Drummer, New Found Land, Oy. The new Solange album, lately also some Fleetwood Mac, Davie Bowie…
What are you plans for the near future? Whats on your agenda?
I have a German tour coming up with Clueso, and then a ‘Kat Frankie and Band’ tour in March. After that some festivals with Olli Schulz. Lots to do!
Can you please fill in the blanks :
- World would be so silent without music.
- I would be a designer if i wouldnt be a singer.
- If i founded a band one day i'd name it - something that hopefully looked good on a poster. ;-)
- sometimes i find myself singing while i walk down the street
- i listen to Annie Lennox to cheer up.
Thanks for answers. Is there anything you want to add for your awaiting Turkish listeners?
Can’t wait to meet you! :-)
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