The American singer-songwriter, actor, writer and director, Kotta, also known as Eric Gorlow is releasing his third single "New Crowned King" on August 12, 2022. Kotta is an odd mix of Lou Reed, Beck, David Byrne and other notable musical weirdos. "New Crowned King" definitely caught our attention and we had to know more about this interesting artist:
1. How did the band form and what does the band name mean?
Kotta was the first word I thought I had created as a kid, it was a name I used for things that I liked. It became attached to my music sort of intuitively, I'm not sure there is a distinct line of when it happened. Right now the Band is just me and Raz Klinghoffer helps produce.
2. Previous musical projects? How'd you first get into music?
The first song that was released is called 'Stray Little Legs' (which I had Buel sing, because I wanted that song to have a voice outside of my own, I wanted it to feel distant but familiar at the same time). The second song was 'Dolly's Overdue', a song inspired by the culture of runaways in the LA underground.
I first started writing songs in my garage using a casio and a cassette tape recorder.
3. First concert that you ever went to?
The first musical performance I ever remember seeing was actually, Phantom of the Opera. It was an odd experience as a kid, I was around 8 or 9 I guess. I remember kind of tapping my feet and people looking over at me like I was crazy. I still love those lyrics and think they would also be great in a radio song version.
4. What's your writing process like?
Lyrics tend to come to me throughout the day, and jot them down. The ones that stick in my head, I go back to and comb through, playing them out on guitar or in my head, but of course each song has a different life. This new release - New Crowned King - was written while driving through the empty streets in the middle of the night, looking over an empty city. Then certain aspects; like the voices in the background, chanting "It's never enough" come in the studio. When I hear the playback, I often think of another character's response to the primary vocal.
5. What other artists or songs inspire your music?
Inspirations often come from things which are not musical, anything from quotes I hear in passing conversations and splicing my own subconscious dialogue. But growing up, hearing artists like Gloria Lynne left me in awe, expression so pure. I also truly enjoy the undefinable freedom of Beck, Taj Mahal, Dan Auerbach. All these people share such joy in their music, even when it's sad. Something that gets to me, something cosmic.
6. What's the live experience like and your philosophy on playing live?
My performances so far have been small little bars and coffee shops. I just enjoy being able to play, and if the crowd wants to play back, then we play together.
7. Do you think the music live should be identical to the recorded version or should it be it's own thing?
I would go song by song on this one. The spirit of the song can lay more in the composition for some pieces, and others can be meant more as a playground setting for momentary expression.
But, of course even if you played the record on stage exactly as is, time and everything changing around it makes it different.
Insanity is not doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result, It's thinking it's possible to do the same thing over again.
8. Has the band toured? What has the touring experience been, best shows?
No tours yet, but we are trying to set up touring after the album comes out at the end of the year.
9. What's up next for the band?
Planning to have the first full album out by December!
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Kotta-102879958579619/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kottamusic/