Behind the music – Claudia Schwab

Sligo-based Austrian violinist/singer/yodeller and composer Claudia Schwab has released her third album, Went to Walk. We asked her the BIG questions . . .

The album presents an introspective body of folk-inspired songs with experimental elements with aspects of Irish, Austrian and Indian Classical music traditions, interwoven with sound samples collected at home in Sligo, as well as during arts residencies in Crete, Austria, India and Sri Lanka.

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Speaking about new single, Ois Z’Vü, Claudia says “What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? My strategy is this: I go to bed. Don’t call me, leave me my peace.

“These days they were beautiful, but now I’m going to lie down. Sometimes I am missing a bit of time to breathe and dream; that moment has come now.”

Claudia plays: 7 July: Methodist Church, Sligo. 11 August: Viru Folk Festival, Estonia. 8 October: Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray. 28 October: The Glens Centre Manorhamilton. 1 November 1st; UCC FUAIM, Cork.

Tell us three things about yourself . . .

I absolutely love experiencing different countries, landscapes and cultures and will probably never get tired of that. Yoga, composing and playing music are my go-to practices when I need to ground myself, with all technology far away from me. I grew up with five siblings in a class wooden house built by my parents.

How would you describe your music?

It´s always hard to describe your own sound, but I would say it might be classified as world fusion with an experimental edge to it. Original music centred around the violin and the voice, rooted in Irish, Austrian, Indian and Balkan music traditions and quite often loop-based. On this new album I am working with samples of field recordings a lot and got back into playing the piano (featured on two tracks).

Who are your musical inspirations?

The Beatles, Global Sounds; Sandi Lopicic Orchestar; Broadlahn (Austrian band), Hubert Von Goisern (Austrian musician), Triology (string-trio); Netnakisum (Austrian string-trio); Pt. Sukhdev Prasad Mishra (my Indian violin teacher); Ethno in Transit; Kate Young; all the amazing traditional musicians around Sligo, such as Rodney Lancashire, Seamie and Sheela O´Dowd, Cathy Jordan, Dee Armstrong, Seamus Hernon or Fiona Doherty; Dervish; Kila; Michael Mc Goldrick; Regina Spektor; Joanna Newsom; Radiohead; Le Monte Young; John Cage …. etc. etc!

What was the first gig you ever went to?

No doubt some classical music concert that I was dragged to as a child. One of the first big ones I deliberately went to see was Flogging Molly in Vienna. I still remember how starstruck I felt and how fascinated I was by them. (And I missed school for it too, ha!)

What was the first record you ever bought?

I can’t remember at all, this is terrible! I do remember where, when and of whom I learnt my first couple of Irish traditional tunes though!

What’s your favourite song right now?

Lost Architect (Darragh Quinn) – Nightswim.

Favourite lyric of all time?

All time – how is that defined now? 🙂 I must admit that I usually forget to pay attention to lyrics … but there´s so much amazing stuff out there. I need more time to think about this one!

If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Silence. If there is such a thing!

Where can people find your music/more information?

Best is to head to my webpage. Very best is to sign up for my newsletter there! Bandcamp.

Alan Corr