Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Vereina-Express
Introduction of the project Vereina-Express
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
* My father’s folk music band – a really friendly and down-to-earth bunch. I wanted to be part of them. My father had bought an old tape recorder (not cassette) and brought home re4cordings of their live dance concerts,
How did your passion for creating music begin?
* Accompaniment (rhythm): outstanding role models such as the swiss accordionists Josias Jenny and Peter Zinsli;
* improvising second voices: unique role models such as clarinetists Hans Disch, Luzi Bergamin and my godfather Peter Kuhn
What’s the story behind your current music project?
* The Vereina-Express’s line-up reflects its programme: musicians from the Engadin, Prättigau, Zurich and Bern have come together to trace the journey of Graubünden folk music through space and time. The Vereina-Express represents not only three generations in terms of style, but also in terms of age: from grandfathers to apprentices, musicians of all ages play together here! Alongside the traditional ‘Grisons’ folk instruments – the clarinet, accordion and bass – the violin, trumpet, saxophone, flute and bass clarinet also feature.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
* vibrant, robust, lively
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
* That genuine, appealing folk music must always contain improvised elements
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
* Landscape, moods; my ear, my instruments, my life experience with all the memories of my role models
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
* Dominik Flückiger: “Träneli”
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
* That should have become clear from the answers so far.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
* “Spirit, rhythm, joie de vivre, enthusiasm and well-being
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
* Music can convey moods and lift you up (or sadden you)
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
* «Stubete am See» (Zurich or Sils / Engadin), Alpentöne (Altdorf), Obwald (Giswil)
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
* Paul “Päuli” Kollegger, a Yenishe (tsigan) clarinettist, violinist, stagecoach driver and shepherd who lived 100 years ago. His music was passed down solely by ear: he could not read (or write) music
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website, Spotify, IG, links)
*website: https://vereina-express-1.jimdosite.com/
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thunkuhn/
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
* Concerts in the places where our pieces were composed (i.e. across all over Switzerland)
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
* That today’s folk music, based on traditional patterns and carefully developed, can feel ‘fresh’.
