Emika was born in the UK, of Czech heritage.
As a young woman she studied classical piano and composition. She waitressed to save up for her first Apple Mac and copy of Logic.
She was living in Bristol as the city transitioned from d&b to dubstep and she went to the first parties organised by Pinch. “I continue to be a part of this culture which has spread worldwide now.”
She now lives in Berlin, where she works as a sound designer for Native Instruments.
I just love her plaintive sound. A sound that is both vulnerable and powerful at the same time.
This new self titled album is just sublime. Check it out.
Professional Loving
Official video for Emika's 'Professional Loving', out 5 Sept (13 Sept in North America) on 12" vinyl and download.
This is a live performance of track seven from the new album.
Pretend
Emika peforming 'Pretend' live at the Maria Am Ostbahnhof in Berlin, taken from her forthcoming debut album 'Emika' (3 October 2011 (EU) / 11 October 2011 (NA)).
Video produced by Park Bennett.
'Pretend' is, in Emika's own words, "about all sides of fakeness, disbelief, dancing on the head of a pin. It begins with a synth I made to feel like a heartbeat, and ends with psychotic hi-hats playing a melody which will come get you while you sleep." Really, it's hard to describe it better than that.
This is from an earlier album, but still tremendous.
Double Edge
The video for 'Double Edge' is a live performance filmed via webcam between London and Berlin, where Emika is based.
The sounds and vocals on the track were recorded at Die Teufelsberg in Berlin ('Devil's Mountain'), an artificial hill that was used as US listening station after the Second World War. It was built on top of the rubble of Berlin during the following twenty years as the city was rebuilt but is now abandoned.
And I couldn't resist this, it's another version of Pretend but this time with The Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble.
And Emika is in great voice here. The Ensemble are just amazing. I just love this song.
Recorded live at Concertgebouw/Kamermuziekzaal Brugge on may 6th 2011
Vocals: Emika
Violin: Mari Sawada
Cello: Andreas Voss
Trombone: Florian Juncker
Tuba: Benjamin Grän
Harp: Gunnhildur Einarsdóttir
Drumset: Ketan Bhatti
Marimba: Matthias Engler
Timpani: Paul Frick
Moog: Jan Brauer
Piano: Daniel Brandt
Sound: Rashad Becker, Sebastian Schottke
Light: Andreas Gschossmann
Stage/Tour Manager: Michael Karl Schmidt
