Interview with prolific electronica composer Olga Kouklaki

Image by: Yiorgos Mavropulous

Athen’s born composer and DJ Olga Kouklaki began her musical endeavours at the tender age of eight years old, starting with classical music training. In her adolescence, she moved to Paris and explore the music scene while composing and experimenting with her sound in the process. Years down the line, this act has collaborated with other promising talents like Kid Loco and also released music under reputable labels like EMI/Universal Music Group. Her latest video and single ‘Haze’ is set to feature on her forthcoming album Dusty Diamond. The video is eerie yet an elegant piece of electronica to enjoy.

We chatted with the prolific composer Olga Kouklaki.

Sum up your year so far in two words.

…Into ‘Haze’…

Tell us more about how your latest/upcoming release was conceptualised?

My upcoming album release, Dusty Diamond is a project which I have been working on during the last years trying to define my new sound, my artistic direction and my new self. It reflects in a poetic way my deep concerns, thoughts and observations about the values we are living with (metaphorically “Dusty” vs “Diamond”). Thus, I created and used many different layers, ambiences, hidden melodies or simply treated electronic sounds in each composition while trying to keep the same mood in this concept.

Describe a typical day in your studio space.

If I would try to define a typical day in my studio, it would be: Coffee, editing, recording, arranging, writing lyrics, then editing again. Not necessarily in that particular order! Some days, it is just about playing the piano, arranging chords or creating melodies.

What are the most important pieces of equipment for you?

Cubase and a Macbook – for editing! Good headphones and speakers, analogue synthesizers. The most important one, however, I think it’s a clear mind with great ideas.

Describe what an ideal day would be for you?

A day in peace and laughter.

Do you have a favourite memory of your career so far that you will take with you forever?

I consider the moment when a song is finalized. Every time, this moment gives me a feeling of completion and represents an important piece of my life which later becomes a memory to take with me forever.

Who is your musical guilty pleasure?

There is no guilty pleasure in music!

What can we expect from you in the near future?

My new full-length personal album Dusty Diamond is set to be released on the 21st of September! Afterwards, I plan to create a series with remixes of the tracks, new collaborations and continue being creative.