An interview with Gina Été
We talk to Gína about her new EP and recording in San Francicso with John Vanderslice
An interview with Gina Été
Gina Été is a multi talented singer, songwriter, and musician from Basel, Switzerland. Her songs swirl in German, French, and English. The complex arrangements feature her viola, but also, punchy almost Pixie-esque guitar leads (Mauern) and fun time signature jumps. Other songs like 'Im Rhy' showcase Gina's wonderful voice.
Her new EP, Oak Tree, was released on June 14th. Gina and her band recorded the EP in San Francisco with John Vanderslice at his all analog Tiny Telephone Studio. You can listen to the new EP while you read the interview or click here to listen on her Spotify page
At the end of our interview, you'll find the video
for Gina's new single, Mauern.
We asked Gina a few questions about her new EP, what it's like recording with John Vanderslice, and why she likes playing SofaConcerts. Check out the interview and if you like what you hear, you can book Gina to play a gig in your living room (or garden, back yard, birthday party - you get the idea!)
SofaConcerts
:
What led you to decide to record your new album with John Vanderslice
in San Francisco? How did the opportunity come about?
Gina Été
:
I've often heard that I'd have an amazing live presence, but that my recorded music would not mirror that. So I was trying to find someone who could make a recording living up to the concerts. I've just checked
my favourite albums to see who had produced them - and John Vanderslice
had shown up several times! I wrote him and he was totally into working
together, and was definitely the best musical decision I have made so
far.
SofaConcerts
:
How did working with John Vanderslice change or influence your
new songs? Did the songs come out how you had initially envisioned them?
Gina Été
:
I think I could neither have envisioned the crazy ideas he has nor his
radical way of taking decisions!
There is no "maybe a little bit of this, a bit more there maybe", we do
it or we don't. And if one doesn't agree, we vote and everybody has to
live with the result, true democracy.
That's why "Mauern" sounds so crazy, haha!
SofaConcerts
:
Tiny Telephone Studios is well known for their use of analog
recording equipment. How do you think that affected the recording
process and/or the finished songs?
Gina Été
:
Wow, it changed everything! I was used to edit a lot in the studio.
With John it was like this: I did a vocal take of a song and he would
say "Yeah, perfect, that was it, let's move on!" I'd want to listen to
it and he'd go "nonono, listening is boring".
So most of the EP is made of one takes and some very few overdubs and
then one cut, which actually meant cutting the tape, wow that was
exciting.
That put the whole recording process much closer to making music live,
to creating in the moment. The EP therefore has a very raw, honest,
lively sound, far away from being perfect. I like that.
SofaConcerts
:
We've listened to a few of the new singles (Mauern , Im Rhy) on Spotify -- do you have a planned release date and album / EP from the sessions?
Gina Été
:
Yeah! On the 14'th of June, the EP "Oak Tree" was finally released,
6 songs and an analog remix by John himself!
SofaConcerts
:
As far as playing live shows, why do you like playing
SofaConcerts / Living Room shows and what makes them special for you?
Gina Été
:
Oh it's great - I love playing close to people, you can feel the
tension, see their reactions and it creates this whole intimate
atmosphere where you feel like telling them everything haha...
Also playing as acoustic as possible just brings the music back to its
roots, its as honest and natural as it can get. Kind of like analog
recording.
SofaConcerts
:
Any other comments or tour dates?
Gina Été
:
Jippiii, some festivals coming up!
No SofaConcerts for the summer though, so if you are up for it, contact me!
Thank you to Gina for the great interview. Gina will be touring to support the release, so be sure to check her out on Tour. You can also plan your own gig and invite her by clicking on her profile on the left.
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