Inspired #194 - Phoebe Coco
Phoebe Coco took a moment to talk to us about the inspirations behind her album ‘My White Horse and I’ - which was released at the end of 2020.
Who are your top three musical inspirations?
These are things that are always evolving but I’ll put the first things that spring to mind.
David Bowie. As I’ve grown up hearing his music- through the walls, through the womb, on dance floors. I admire his ability to shift in phases- We move and grow as people so why shouldn’t music
Air has been a big inspiration and I listened to a lot whilst in the making of the album. Moon Safari takes me on a trip every single time.
Live moments- of which there are many but Church Of Sound and Krautrock Karaoke are some of London events that you’ll often find me at. What I have seen here has leaped through all kinds of genres and I have witnessed some truly mind blowing performances. The audience is spellbound- you could hear a pin drop at Church of Sound- it is truly a worship of sound.
Krautrock Karaoke is an event a friend runs that ends up being the most wonderful cacophony of musical chaos in the best possible way. I’ve performed with people who I’ve met for the first time on stage, improvised performances and happenings, resulting in a lot of collaborations. In a roundabout way this was how I met my drummer Thomas Broda who now plays with us live along with my sisters Grace & Dorothy Wright-Spinks.
I can’t wait to be back.
Is there a certain film that inspires you?
Right now I’m going to say Charlies Angels- the 2000s version of course. We all need a little fire. If there's a moment you need a boost then the angels have it. Many years ago my friend and I made an inspired group the Fire Angels, complete with action dance moves- perhaps something we should revisit...
I am actually about to do a take over on an excellent Instagram film account called ‘The Lick VHS’ sharing films with soundtracks I especially enjoyed, so check that out for my upcoming posts.
What city do you find the most inspiring?
Although I was born in the rolling hills of Wales, I’ve grown up in London; it's my hometown and I find much inspiration on its streets. I adore how it's such a green city- and you can never know it all. Plus technically London is actually a forest by definition 8.6 million people with 8.3 million trees… as I was reading in Paul Woods recent book.
Quite a few of my songs on the album are an ode to city life- dancing under sycamore tree helicopters in streets, or making your way through streets in the sunrise after nights dancing.
I have spent some time in Berlin, and from the second you arrive you feel the energy shift. It's buzzing with something you can’t put your finger on. I really enjoyed my time working there- as we made a piece for the Berlin Performing Arts Festival and I would love to go back this summer to swim it's lakes, dance on its floors and cycle through its streets.
Really there are a lot of places that feel dear to me- even if I only encountered them fleetingly- right now I am wearing a top that reminds me of being in Lisbon and working on recent recordings I made just outside of Paris- all places I have adored my time in while I will always relish the chance to explore somewhere new.
Who is the most inspiring person to you and why?
My grandmother Pat is an inspiration to me… with her zest for life and good times and meaningful relationships.
An open and generous spirit with conviction in herself and her own moral compass- qualities that are timeless and flourish in whatever path you may choose to take. Especially now we are in such unprecedented times- these are things that really carry us forward together.
I know that she used to perform up North singing in working men’s social clubs- not an easy thing to do in that day and age but that was my grandmother for you, and even in her late 80s she came to Extinction Rebellion events, performance arts happenings, stables anything she darn well fancied really!
What were your inspirations when writing your new LP?
A theme emerged as we recorded the songs… although some of them were from different points in my life I am always amazed by how your subconscious has a master plan.
These are stories of life interwoven with inspiration drawn from our natural green world and the idea of uninhibited exalted freedom.
In ‘Wild’, and ‘Look What the Cat Dragged In’ it’s the landscape, the sky, the moon that pull us through and put things into perspective, or in ‘White Horse’ it is the feeling of taking to the road- riding to the sea, horse and human, a perfect partnership.
How would you like to inspire people?
Music and the arts has the power to lift me into other worlds. It really goes beyond all- and it’s not limited to what we perceive as art- it could be delicious delicacy or a divine moment.
The song has the power to change your mood, to make you want to move as well as to move you, your day which essentially could be a life changing experience.
Listening and dancing has helped me no end through my life, not to mention the last 6 months in this completely bonkers, strange and unpredictable time we are having.
The experience of moving someone- through a recording, through a gig, through a conversation is not to be underestimated. This is a real meaningful experience, a vital part of being human and who we are, and there is nothing else like it. If I am part of that for someone- I am very glad; it is an honour.