TALKING TO ROSA ANCHUETZ ON NEW ALBUM VOTIVE
A votive. An object as an offering. An intention. A spell in physical form. Music as a form of invocation.
The debut LP from Rosa Anschütz is a collection of nine votives presented in sonic and ceramic form (every song has its sculptural equivalent). It’s the result of several years of daily rituals: word collages as incantations, audio sigils created by shaping electric voltages and casting sound into clay. «Votive» is produced by Jan Wagner and took three years for the initial sketches to punctuate into finished songs.
Tell us about yourself Rosa.
I’m a trans-media artist, singer and producer. I shuttle between Berlin and Vienna. Having grown up in Berlin, I was exposed to influences from the post punk and techno scenes, very early. As a child, I studied many “classic” instruments, like the traverse flute, the piano and trumpet and later on began to include them more, using a lot of effects, morphing them into something more electronic. I also make use of the modular synthesizer, e-bass and guitar, which I taught myself to play over the years. The singing is the most striking element of my music. Coming from a choir based background, I make use of reverb to enrich the space, I want to feel comfortable in.
Greatest inspirations or influences?
Books, good music and movies all had an impact on me and my sister when we were growing up. We were surrounded by nature which is also something that releases very natural creativity. It is one of my favourite places to write music. Another thing that had a huge impact on me was the „Atonal Festival“. Concerts and Berlin’s rich opportunities regarding nightclubs where you can let loose in the dark, and where music is a very intense and full of emotion – seeped into me over the years. Traveling always had a big impact on me. especially two visits to Japan. In 2016, I went there on my own, organized a show in Tokyo, and just strolled around. I met a lot of new people, other musicians and was very moved by the experiences that I had. Years later, I toured with my good friend Julia Shortreed and Hiraku Yamamoto.
what is your creative process like?
Writing music comes from intuition. It is somehow a ritual and a form of ecstasy which I can reach during nights of jamming, but I never really know when it’s going to happen. Emotions trigger me and then it just happens. Right now, I have a studio in my apartment in Vienna. On the wall there is a huge LED panel that you can regulate to create different colors. I believe there is a psychology behind that LED Panel, I love it madly! I got it during the Covid quarantine and it helped me through many nights and days. Lyrics also come to me via ritual, continuous writing and collecting. Once I have something ready, I send it over to my producer Jan Wagner. He makes the first arrangement and then I come to Berlin for the recordings.
How has Covid impacted your industry?
Covid had an effect on the planned release of my debut Album „Votive“, which got postponed.
Also, all of my shows were cancelled. This also had a positive impact! It allowed me to think through the concept for the album and led to some new decisions. Right now, this feels like the best thing that could have happened, and I am endlessly looking forward to the release.
Anything else you’d like to share Rosa?
As mentioned, my debut album is going to be released on my label „Quiet Love Records“ 2nd of November. The title of the album is „Votive“. Votives are used as a religious term for offerings that please a god or goddess. For each track on the album I formed a clay sculpture.The album refers to rituals. Collecting texts, writing music, shaping electric voltages – it’s all a process. I arranged my voice into choirs, made very calculated use of reverb – there are many acoustic references to religious aspects. I remain an agnostic. The lyrics were sourced from daily notes, material of observation, learning and listening.
