Elderbrook interview – “This album is better! Happy to admit that.”
Another Touch of Alexander Kotz
Elderbrook has just unveiled his highly anticipated third album, the 12-tracker Another Touch, with the vinyl version hitting at the end of next week.
The GRAMMY®-nominated artist’s most ambitious release to date, featuring collaborations with the likes of Shimza, Carlita and George FitzGerald, it’s described as a “journey of personal discovery”, exploring themes of love, loss, addiction and the general ups and downs of life.
That, along with Elderbrook’s fearsome reputation as a live act, was enough to pique our interest – so we tracked down Alexander Kotz himself in search of a few answers.
Hi and thanks for your time! First of all, can you tell us where you are right now, and what kind of day you’re having… Been anywhere already or going anywhere interesting later?
Right now I’m on a plane in Copenhagen about to take off to Stockholm. Kicked off the tour last night in Denmark and later in Sweden. I’m having a travelling day!
Juno Daily caught your show in Tallin a couple of years back – most enjoyable. Is playing live important to you? You certainly seemed to have your hands full, doing a bit of everything… without much/any help!
Yeah I decided early on in my live show that I wanted to be alone onstage. It was difficult for me at first because, growing up, I had always imagined myself in a band onstage with other people. This way I have the freedom to switch things up and experiment a little bit more. Playing live is so important for me. It’s definitely shaped the way my music has evolved over the years.
And you’re visiting our own ‘iconic’ 5,000-capacity Brixton Academy on November 29 – that must be exciting. Any memorable gigs that you’ve been to there in the past that you’ll be keeping in mind?
I have supported other bigger acts there like Gorgon City and Friendly Fires very early in my career and so to be able to go back and do it myself is a big moment.
You have dropped your third album Another Touch – how would you say it moves things on from the previous two?
This album is better! Happy to admit that. This time round I spent some real time off the road and in the studio working on it every day for months, and that allowed me to create something that makes more sense. Something coherent.
Tell us about the title – where did it come from?
A lot of the album focuses on themes of addiction and overindulgence. Another Touch is simply the feeling of wanting “just one more”.
You said: “As the album unfolds so too does the story of our ‘hero’ who finds new ways to think about, and reflect on their life, and the lessons learned along the way.” So, two obvious questions – a) is it a concept album and b) is it autobiographical?
It is a concept album. The whole thing follows the story of a character that loses themself in the night (many nights) and eventually finds their way back home and is able to finally reconnect with themself and get better. It’s not autobiographical but I have definitely, like most people at some point in their life, had my own relationship with the themes covered in the album and have drawn on my experiences.
You made waves with your CamelPhat collaboration – is collaboration important to your creative process…? Tell us about the other people involved in this LP, there are a few…
When I first started making music, it was a very insular process and, though I enjoyed it, it can get very limiting after a while. Now, most of the music I make is collaborative in one way or another and it makes for a lot more variety within my music which I love. Working with Vintage Clture, Carlita, Nimino, and Snakehips was amazing this time round. Other than VC, I hadn’t met any of these people before writing so hopefully can do more going forward.
And what else are you up to musically at the moment? What are you hearing that’s inspiring you? Any more live or release actions we should know about?
The album just came out! I’ve just started a long European tour now so my focus is on that. Australia and South Africa are coming up in a few months and there is a very big tour announcement coming soon!!!