In the real world we are much closer to each other than it seems - Pishcoth INTERVIEW
Photo by Rony Thilakan
“Now I really enjoy playing for ordinary people on the street. Especially at places, where it’s not so common. Where I can light up someone’s everyday routine. I still can’t believe all the positive feedback I get from people I wouldn’t expect appreciating it. It reminds me, that music really is a magical thing..”
Marie: Pishcoth, how did you get to writing songs, playing music and since when do you perform in public?
I started as a bass player in a band when I was 14 or 15. Then moved to guitar and then to writing and singing my own songs. As a solo performer I started busking in the summer of 2020.
Marie: You also have a band named Echonaut, how do you balance songwriting for both, how are they different? Can you introduce your band as well?
It never made a differnce for me. If the song was good, it worked both ways. The only distinction is that when you sing alone, you really have to be honest and true, the lyrics are more important. Actually the band went on a hiatus this fall. Running a rock'n'roll band is a tough business these days and I really look up to everybody, who still keeps going.
Marie: Tell us about the singles you released already. What are the stories behind the songs and what was your inspiration for this?
I haven't released any single on my own, but I'll try to change that soon. I wrote all the songs for the band which some of them now I play solo. I worked a lot on adapting them for an acoustic arrangements and a looper. About the themes, I know it's a cliché, but I just seem to be reflecting the world I live in and the feelings coming out of that.
Marie: How does the audience in Czech Republic respond to your genre?
Alternative-rock music is really on it's decline for a long time. But I see, that if you have a message and truly love what you do, you can reach anyone, because now the genres are not so important. Whatever you do, if you do it well, your audience will find you.
Marie: What have you achieved this year and what is the plan for the next? Can you tell us what we can look forward to?
My biggest step this year was to start making a living with music. It was hard because of ragulations and lockdowns etc. But I realised I enjoy playing in the streets and it really helped me in a lot of ways. Now it's a part of my daily routine. The next step is making a record so people who catch me on the street can find my original stuff.
Marie: Are your songs autobiographical or do they come from your imagination, or both?
Imagination is there also, but in the core, they are autobigrophical. Even if the subject of song is someone else, you project your own feelings and memories to it. And I think that's the only way to write a truly great song...or at least that's what I always look for in other people's songs.
Marie: Which of these songs have you chosen to play for (A)VOID sessions, and why?
I've chosen a song called Negativ. Partly because it's a song I haven't played for years and I took it as a challenge, and also because it's almost like two different songs in one. It has this dynamics, it combines ambient soundscape with a rocknroll drive which is someting I always enjoyed.
Marie: You’ve been influenced by artists some people may not be that familiar with such as Kurt Vile or Damon Albarn. How would you identify your conscious and unconscious influences on your upcoming debut album?
I have always tried to never be consciously influenced by anyone. But I love music, a lot of music, writers, poets and artists and that always finds a way into what I do. But I never thought: Whoa that's great! Lets make something like that! It would get boring I guess. It has to grab you on a deeper level. It's like searching for a long lost melody you know you have somewhere inside since you were a child. You never find it whole but sometimes you can catch a spark of it. You just know when that happens. That's a really beautiful felling that rewards the effort and motivates you to stay on track.
Marie: How would you like for your music to be received? Where and when should people listen to it best?
Now I really enjoy playing for ordinary people on the street. Especially at places, where it's not so common. Where I can light up someone's everyday routine. I still can't believe all the positive feedback I get from people I wouldn't expect appreciating it. It reminds me, that music really is a magical thing that has a power to connect us. Everytime it reminds me, that in the real world we are much closer to each other than it seems e.g. in the virtual space.
Marie: Do you listen to much music on Spotify, and if so, what are the top releases we should check out?
In the lockdown, my friend Schnaubee did a nice record with his friends, they're called Prazdniny. There are many more artists worth listening here, but don't want to put one above the others. Now Damon Albarns releases solo album which I haven't heard yet, but everything he does is always worth listening.
Marie: And finally, what are your plans for 2022?
I would love to record and release a solo record. Also perform as much as possible and write all the time, get better at it. Besides the lyrics, I have also written a lot of short stories and small poems or whatever it is..I don't know. It's kind of a part of my own small universe built on memories, made up stories etc. I would love to find a way to get published one day, but if that's gonna happen, it will definitely take more than a year. For me the music is where the magic happens, so that is on second track. Also last year I spent a month busking in Portugal and it was one of my biggest and most fulfilling experince. So I would love to combine traveling and playing music once more.
