Following on from last year's debut release, S/he, Kohla returns with a new dark, brooding and minimalist electronic-pop single, Pxrxdise. The alternative R'n'B solo project continues to showcase the raw talent of Edinburgh's Rachel Johnson as she takes the listener traversing through layers of hypnotic beats and fierce choruses, as her breathless voice adds an air of vulnerability throughout.
In the run-up to the release, we caught up with Kohla to discuss the origins of Pxrxdise, learning piano and the art of production, along with some of her favourite Scottish acts...
Q. Today marks the release of Pxrxdise - you must be excited to share it!?
I wrote this track at the end of last summer and we only finished it in studio in January so I’m really happy its finally finished and out in the world! I used the time in between to polish all the hooks and production - sonically its a fuller sound to ’S/he’. Having time to learn more production tricks meant a lot of the sounds and instruments became twisted and unusual, towards the end theres even a manipulated harp.
Q. What’s the meaning behind the misspelt title?
The misspelt title was on purpose to symbolise something was missing, incomplete, subsidised and unattainable in the said ‘paradise’.
Q. Lyrically, you touch on themes such as greed and objectication - is that drawn from personal experience aswell as the experience of woman and minorities as a whole in todays society, highlighted by the MeToo movement?
'Pxrxdise' was actually written from a personal experience but its very relative to the MeToo movement as a whole. It’s 2019 and theres still seems to be a disregard to a women’s achievements and talent in favour to her physical aspects.
Q. What made you move away from a full live band to a more solo project?
I found when I took time out from performing at the end on 2017 my music taste had really changed - I started listening to more R&B, rap and hiphop, and it made sense to reflect this in my own work. At the moment we are just working in studio to create the sonic template for the live show. I plan on having backing band again in some format, but it will definitely be different to anything I’ve done before. I’ve been training at Dancebase for the past 18 months to to create something really special and polished.
Q. You have started learning production and co-producing in studio - do you feel a sense of freedom or is it slightly daunting?
I’ve been teaching myself Logic since the tail end of last year, and it is daunting to realise how much there is to learn, but it’s obviously do-able. Dave Lloyd (Stillhound/Lost Oscillation) worked on ‘Pxrxdise’ and ’S/he’ with me, and will be finishing my EP.
It will probably be ten years until I’m anywhere near as good as him! I’ll just work on piano and then take a demo on Logic, bring in some ideas and he will get them done in under 30 seconds. I’m self taught on all instruments, and have only started getting piano lessons from Emily Smith (part of Scottish electronic group Chuchoter) since Christmas, so sometimes I come in with strange chord variations which Dave has to unfortunately spend time working out. However our studio sessions are always fun and super creative as there is so much freedom in electronic music to create literally any sound.
I’ve been fortunate in that the response to the first record was well received, which has lead to free studio time to write and learn from other artists/producers too, such as Lewis Andrew (WHITE/Kassidy), Chris McCroy (Catholic Action/Casual Sex) and Sean Focus, among others.
Q. This will be your 2nd single as Kohla - what else do you have planned for 2019?
I’m planning on dropping another two singles this year, which altogether with ’S/he’ and ‘Pxrxdise’ will form my debut EP. I’m hoping to have my live show ready in time for the EP release, too!
Q. Who are some of your favourite Scottish acts at the minute?
The Scottish hiphop/rap scene is really thriving at the moment - my two favourites are Chlobocop and Joell. Chlobocop’s work is absolute magic - a really distinct voice and writing style over chill, contemporary trappy beats. She’s done a spellbinding Evergreen Live session for her track ‘Voice Clips’ which is worth a youtube. Joell created a full short film for his debut EP ‘Ignorance’ and I love everything about it from the sounds, frames and colouring (also worth a youtube). Dave Lloyd did some work on his production too, so it might be up your street if you’re into Kohla.
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