A homage to the symbol of “home” from Danielle De Picciotto: ‘’Tacoma’’

The first solo LP of Danielle De Picciotto’s long career in music and different forms of art, which includes a lot of visual and audial projects with bands and musicians like Gudrun Gut, Nick Cave, Alexander Hacke and Tiger Lillies, was released at the end of last month. We present you Tacoma and its creator Danielle De Picciotto.

Interview by Cem Kayıran

As an artist who’s busy with various disciplines, what kind of bond do you observe in your music and other forms?
I have always been an interdisciplinary artist. From when I was a small girl I learned violin and piano, sang in a choir and painted all the time. For me the different medias are different way of expressing my thoughts and I always instinctively chose a certain media for a certain thought. It is like my creativity is a body with different arms and legs, which are the different medias. If I have to run I use my legs –if I clap I use my hands. I make music when I want to be very emotionally communicative and art and words if I want to be more direct and specific. Film is a combination of both so for an all round universe I make films.

Tacoma is the place you were born. There’s a reference in the album title to this city and also the first track of the album is named after Tacoma. Can we say that this album is sort of homage to your hometown?
The connection of Tacoma (birthplace) and myself is a very mystical one. I never went back there after leaving when I was 3 months old – I have been a nomad ever since traveling the world – always being an outsider – so when I went back last year it was like discovering myself anew and also discovering the meaning of belonging somewhere.

Tacoma is an homage to the symbol of “HOME” wherever that may be – in your heart, in your love or in a certain city.

You have collaborated with dozens of musicians in different projects. Tacoma is your first solo release. How did you realize this is the right time to work on a solo album?

I have wanted to release a solo record since 1995 but I always had terrible luck and something always went wrong. So at one point I gave up and decided to wait until the right time would come. Last year I suddenly felt that it was the right time – I had collected so much experience collaborating with other musicians and projects that I felt very much at ease with my instruments and with what style I wanted to compose and so everything happened very quickly and smoothly. It was a very easy birth.

All the songs in Tacoma sounds pretty atmospheric and cinematic at the same time. Some of the songs sound like they’re parts of long sessions but some of them sound like they’re the results of detailed compositions. Can you tell us about your song writing methods? How do you feel a song is done?

All the songs are detailed compositions. I wanted to express the universal feeling I have towards life. The texts are excerpts of my nomadic diary. I composed the music first and then took the notes and worked them into lyrics. I always know exactly when I am done with a song. I cannot explain how but it is a feeling that is very strong. I have this in all of my work – I always know exactly when something is done. I am very concentrated when I work because I never have much time with all the touring and traveling so it is a very intense work period. I work day and night and then suddenly – voila – it is done and stands on its own feet.

There are really dark songs in the album like Per Aspera Ad Astra and I Have Love.  And also there are some tracks like Luminous and Horchata which sound more playful and relatively positive. How did you manage to create a balance between them?
To be honest I feel that all of my songs are magical creatures that twist and turn into being. It is the exact mirror of my emotions so I guess it is the ying and yang of my life that pours forth.

What kind of setting would you suggest for the ones that will listen to Tacoma for the first time?
Pour yourself either a hot chocolate or spiced tea, find a comfortable place with large velvet pillows and sit down in front of a window or beautiful view, which you can look out at while listening.

Since you’re into visual arts as well, should we expect some visual companions for these songs as music videos or live visuals?
I am in the process of making videos for a couple of songs- for the live performance there will be visuals for every song. I filmed them in the places that I composed the songs (NYC; Hudson, Joshua Tree, Mojave Desert, Los Angeles, Berlin) so it will be very colorful. I always show my visuals with my music because they belong together for me.

Can you give us some clues about the live performances of the album? Are you planning to play by yourself or with a band?

I will be performing the first shows alone as a multi media performance with backings and visuals. It is the easiest and most flexible way. I travel so much it is difficult to find a band that can keep up… But I will also be touring with another multi media performance in the fall: my graphic diary “We Are Gypsies Now” will be released in English so I will be presenting it in a multimedia performance together with Alexander Hacke. There we will be presenting my solo album, my graphic diary and our upcoming album “Perseverantia” with spoken word, visuals and drone music.