Getting Cosy With Cosey Mueller
Ahead of her arrival at the Hare and Hounds on Friday 14th August, we sent some questions over to Cosey Mueller, a Berlin-based artist specialising in electronic music.
The production of Mueller’s latest album ‘Embodiment of Denial’, teems with the pulses of a 4am underground nightclub, and the anxious pace of a DOOM soundtrack. Amongst the pounding of percussion and haunted jangle of guitars, Cosey’s vocals have the energy of ‘Le Tigre’’s Kathleen Hanna. The night’s pairing with Birmingham-based artist B.B. Kaizo works perfectly strangely, with Kaizo’s music evoking a similar but wholly different idea of country electronica.
The production of Mueller’s latest album ‘Embodiment of Denial’, teems with the pulses of a 4am underground nightclub, and the anxious pace of a DOOM soundtrack. Amongst the pounding of percussion and haunted jangle of guitars, Cosey’s vocals have the energy of ‘Le Tigre’’s Kathleen Hanna. The night’s pairing with Birmingham-based artist B.B. Kaizo works perfectly strangely, with Kaizo’s music evoking a similar but wholly different idea of country electronica.
While Charlotte and I are unfortunately both away from Birmingham during tomorrow’s gig, we’ll be yearning for the feeling of what we can imagine will be a sweaty room, with the bass moving your feet automatically. We hope that any attendees do have fun, and let us know how the night goes!p
What were your influences growing up,
and how have they influenced your solo project today?
CM: My musical influences growing up were very diverse because I was born on an island in Greece, and was exposed to traditional Greek music a lot - but also 90s pop music that was played on the radio. Later, when I was a teenager, I started discovering pop / rock / punk music history, and was so fascinated that I dug deep to discover more and more.
I think my all time favourites are David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Alan Vega, DAF... My solo project is influenced by the energy and attitude of those and many other artists because it made me realise that music can become a life purpose, medium of free self expression, experimentation and invention.
artists you think our readers should be listening to?
I recommend Güner Künier, Schwund, die Verlierer, Öpnv, LIIEK, Noj, Das Beat, The Tarts, Anika, Schimmel über Berlin...
Iggy Pop once gave you a shout out, saying “well yeah, it sounds like Berlin”.
What does Berlin sound like to you?
I wish I could say it sounds like Iggy Pop's 'The idiot', which I guess is how it sounded in the 70s. Today the city is becoming very corporate and the political situation is difficult, there is not much appreciation for new art and music.
I try to create a microcosmos for myself, a fantasy which is dominated by coolness, fun and pleasure which flows into my music and this is how I wish Berlin sounds like.
What is your favourite song off the latest album?
I like the song 'Embodiment of denial'.
Embodiment of Denial kicks off Mueller’s latest album, also being the title track. Its intense rhythm and tight snare certifies the beginning of 30 minutes that transposes and moves through waves, whacks and warbles . You can see why she likes it!
Embodiment of Denial kicks off Mueller’s latest album, also being the title track. Its intense rhythm and tight snare certifies the beginning of 30 minutes that transposes and moves through waves, whacks and warbles . You can see why she likes it!
You started out in a punk band.
Are there still punk influences in your music today?
I have a very wide definition of punk, it's music, style, attitude, a way of life. I think once you get infected by it, it never goes away. It' an understanding of something unspoken and yes it is still there in my music.
Cosey Mueller will be performing at the Hare and Hounds on Friday 14th of August. Get tickets here!
Listen to Embodiment of Denial here: