Experimental singer-songwriter Ora Cogan and her band are set to perform at the Stork Club in Oakland, CA on Thursday, December 14. Ahead of this show, we had the chance to interview the artist on her latest album, Formless, her creative process, and everything in between.
Her graceful lyricism and textured instrumentals are a captivating blend. Be swept away by Cogan’s beautiful imagery at her upcoming Oakland show.
Cover image by Stasia Garraway
I’ve seen your work be described as folk, alt-country, psychedelic, and haunting. Is there a genre that best describes your work, or would you rather your music be described by the feelings it evokes?
I really think people might just be picking different things out depending on what your reference points are. We all have a different approach to listening to music and I don’t know if genres matter too much to me. I listen to everything and feel inspired and driven by a lot of stuff that has nothing to do with music at all so often find it kind of fascinating what people hear or don’t hear in the final product.
Creating something of your own can be an emotionally taxing experience. Is it a cathartic experience collaborating with artists like Luz of Y La Bamba? What was the writing process like for “Ways of Losing”?
Luz is such an inspiration. It was a caring and natural collaboration and such a comfort to find a kindred spirit. I can’t speak highly enough about Y La Bamba. We’re lucky to have them doing what they’re doing in this world. They are really one of the great voices on this planet as far as I’m concerned.
I was reading in an interview with Bandcamp that you acted out the ideas you had for the song “Sea People” to percussionist Dani Markham because you were unable to read or write sheet music. It felt like you were creating a new language with Markham the way you described this process. Did physically representing what you wanted to hear create a new layer to this song? Did this experience influence how you composed the songs on Formless?
I struggle a bit with a lot of conventional ways of learning… I’m dyslexic and maybe undiagnosed ADHD? So visual scores and finding physical ways of communicating ideas is helpful. I have been really trying to learn more music theory and more universal terms to communicate with musicians… I sing and dance and use a lot of ridiculous descriptive language to relay the vision I have for songs. I’m sure its both fun and annoying for my collaborators at times haha.
How did it feel hearing a version of “Katie Cruel” on The English? Congrats on the feature by the way!
It is exciting! I thought that series was pretty special and always wondered if that album would ever find the light of day. I recorded Ribbon Vines with some dear friends in Spain years ago.
We did the whole thing live and it was truly a magical experience.
What are you looking forward to the most on this current tour?
We’re halfway now. It’s been so wonderful to get to connect with so many great communities on the west coast. I was nervous people wouldn’t come out this time of year but it’s been really sweet. The band I’m playing with is a dream. They are all so talented and so fun and thoughtful. It’s such a terrifying time in the world right now and as a lot of people I know are working really hard to do solidarity work — working towards justice and peace in the face of a lot of cruelty — I think it’s healing to just get people in a room together doing something soulful. Music is good for the nervous system.
We look forward to having you in the Bay Area!
Thank you!!
Ora Cogan
