Interview 2: Chris Koehn

[gallery type="slideshow" link="none" size="full" ids="133418"] What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing lately?

I’ve been into music since I was a kid. I studied architecture and currently have my design firm. What got me into music professionally probably was my brother's death. After visiting a studio while I was making a song for him in a movie, I felt instantly the connection with recording music, and also a connection to share my music as a grieving healing process not only for me but for everyone who listens to it.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I love art, architecture, running marathons around the world, traveling, surfing, snowboarding, and being with nature inspires me a lot. Also watching art movies, reading books, cooking, painting.

How long has music been your career?

I released my first EP with Indie Label Noiselab in 2012. So next year will be ten years. My brother's song was recorded a few years earlier.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

I live in Mexico City. Since I was a kid I used to go to Texas for long summers, winters, and eastern. I loved watching MTV as a kid and watching new music in the 80's early 90's. So I’ve listened most of my life to more music in English which has had more influence over me.

Tell me about the best and worst shows you have played.

The best show was probably a Live From Home Concert I did last year. I had to learn to play drums, guitar, live loops, moogs, and sing simultaneously by myself. It was really challenging and fun. Since it was a charity concert it was really nice to see people donating over 5000K to help single moms affected by covid. Another great show where I played with great musicians, Cello, ukulele, Peruvian percussions, and after the show  I was approached by Cleopatra Records CEO to record a downtempo cover project.

Worst Show, although I was told it sounded good while presenting my 2nd EP Permanent Impermanence I couldn't hear a thing because of the acoustics of the place. So I didn't hear myself or anyone in the band. We practically played blindfolded.

Tell me about your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

Lunario in Mexico City was a really nice place to play at. Probably would love to play at NYC Winery and some cozy venue in LA.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

If I’m allowed to fantasize and bring back to life, probably with Leonard Cohen, Joy Division, and Elliot Smith. With living artists, I would love to play with Radiohead, Bon Iver, The National, and Slowdive.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into music?

Always create with love, for yourself, and then next will come to you. Always believe in yourself.

If you could go back in time and give yourself advice, what would it be?

Probably start earlier making music, and believing in my true passions.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why? 

Probably Sunday Morning Sun, the first song I wrote for my solo project. While I was writing it, it made me realize that my music has a healing power to make you feel better. And that is one of my main reasons to share my music.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Little Wonder probably is my favourite to play and Winters of Sleep. After it was released on a Netflix Series ( Control Z ) I started to get a lot of requests and comments about it.

What is the creative process for you, and what inspires you to write your music?

To me, the creative process is discipline on one hand and surrendering on the other. Staying open to what can come out as a result. Everything inspires me, nature, art, photography, movies, food, architecture, our cities, traveling.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

Introspective lyrics to create awareness, a constant reminder of enjoying the present, the NOW. To appreciate that nothing is permanent and death can come anytime. “ The freer from our attachments we are, the happier our life will be.”

Do you ever have disagreements when collaborating and how do you get past them?

Sometimes I do. To get past them would be to stay open and to see what is better for the song and not whose idea it was.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

Next Friday, June 4th I’ll release my 4th single from the upcoming EP LIVE FROM HOME.  After I´ll release 1 more single and then we´ll be making a short vinyl edition to help gather funds again to close the help circle. At the moment I'm recording my new EP with new collabs and probably the first single will be released around August. Hopefully, by the end of the year, I can play live again.

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