Interview with Far Coast
Far Coast is the solo project from Zurich-based multi-instrumentalist Ueli Dutka, who is also a member of Dawns Mystery. In 2020, he released the album, Outside, a collection of laid-back lo-fi, psychedelic pop songs. Dutka showcases his ability to create soundscapes layering guitars, slide guitar, synths and dreamy vocals. The first single, Marrakesh Return, along with Wanderlust, are the highlights of the album for me. The latter reminding me of Beach Fossils’ somersault-era with its instrumental coda/outro.
The follow-up cover, Falling in Love, along with the upcoming album, Time and Space, mark a radical evolution in Far Coast’s sounds with Dutka taking his composing and producing to a new and more exciting level. The tempo has been turned up, the vocals are more at the forefront, the bass guitar is more present and the self-confidence is on display. Whereas Outside would be the album to start the day off quietly staring into the sunset, Time and Space is the album that grabs the listener and shakes them to get moving and excited about the day. There’s noticeably a wide range of influences, sometimes the songs would take me to 1960s’ England, remind me of Flaming Lips, tinges of underground 90s Britpop and 80s disco/synths, such as the second single, Never Been the Person. So far, my stand out tracks are Patterns and In Motion.
The album, Time and Space, will be released on Friday, 31st May - I will edit in the necessary links in this article - on Taxi Gauche Records.
The release of the album will be celebrated on the same day at the Waxy Bar - tickets here.
(Furthermore, Dutka’s band, Dawns Mystery recently released their latest EP, Hot Showers (also on Taxi Gauche Records))
To discuss his solo project, Far Coast, and albums in further detail, Ueli Dutka took the time to be interviewed about them.
Tell us about your background. How long have you been active in the music scene?
I started making music since the age of ten. I play guitar, bass, drums, percussion and piano, not incredibly well but well enough. I have played in punk, rock and indie bands and I still do to this day. Eventually, I started to record music on my own and fell in love with layering instruments. From there on, I just got better at recording, composing and performing. I also love to work with other musicians and producers, and playing in bands. It gives me new perspectives and allows me to always learn something new.
With the creative process, an idea for a song could come from playing an instrument or from an idea for a lyric or a melody. I collect all of my ideas and work on the ones which inspire me the most. However, I can never find the time to turn all of my ideas into songs.
How was the recording process to Outside? What made you decide to create a solo project and to record an album?
At some point I just felt that I wanted to do an album on my own. I wanted to try to compose something coherent and new. I couldn’t do it all over again if I wanted to. It was a period in which I was really into ambience and moods, these days I love to put them into more structured songs. Back then I had a friend, who mixed the album, whereas these days I would do it on my own.
I have a home studio where I mostly record and compose. It is all set up so I can start writing and recording right away. I have all the basic gear and some gems. I am not very much into having lots of crazy gear. I use a vintage preamp, a nice compressor and mic mostly. I also got a tape machine which I sometimes use for overdubs. I lay down the drum tracks in the rehearsal room.
How did you feel to have completed your first album?
Basically, coming out with new music and people liking it is the biggest satisfaction. You know, my music isn’t very mainstream and therefore it is not guaranteed that people would like it. Just being able to do what I want is super cool.
A few months after releasing Outside, you released the song, Falling in Love. How did this come about?
I used to work at Nordbrücke and a friend of mine made a disco playlist. and I accidentally stumbled upon the song “Falling in Love” from Surface, which is an underground post-disco track from the 1980s. As I had an 80s synth in my studio, I felt compelled to cover that song. I had a pretty clear idea of the song in my head and I basically just needed to get it out.
I recreated the chords on my synth as best as I could and infused my style into the song. This is why the song sounds pretty different and is more of an interpretation than a cover. However, the song felt right to me like that.
Falling in Love, and the two singles, Never Been the Person and Perpetual Change, it marked a shift in your musical direction - a lot more 80s influence and self-confidence. Were you influenced differently (musically or otherwise)?
Listening to all kinds of music always inspires me to come up with something I’d like to do. I also love to get away to other places to write and record demos. There aren’t any particular places, just wherever I can get away for a little while. Lately, I have been to Gasthaus Grünenwald a couple of times where I will also be playing Sunday 19th May at Halt auf Verlangen 2024 with Dawns Mystery. You should come check it out!
The demo I had for Perpetual Change was finished late 2020. It just took my so long to finish it and get it out. The songs that take forever to write are the best songs. Perpetual Change is definitely another personal take on the post-disco genre, whereas Never Been the Person is my take on R’n’B.
I guess the self-confidence was a result of beginning to like my own music after it had been out for some time.
What can we expect from the upcoming album, Time and Space? Tell us about it.
I wanted to create a unique sound for the album which shows a wide range of emotions, whilst drawing on a variety of influences, but at the same time is a coherent body of work. Time and Space is a reflection of my vision and it enabled me to bring together the two roles of composer and producer. It was also about trying to find the right balance between the instrumental parts of the album and making sure that the music supplements the songs as opposed to overshadowing them.
How was it recorded in comparison to Outside?
I am very fortunate to play with some talented musicians I can also call my friends. I put together an amazing live band, who also assisted on the recording of Time and Space: Florian Hauri on bass guitar and backing vocals (Dawns Mystery), Yvan Brunner on synths and guitar, Michel Bühler on drums (both are members of Madégras) and Flavio Scano on guitar, percussions and backing vocals (Pablo Infernal).
They played and recorded parts on the album that I couldn’t have done so well by myself. I wouldn’t say it was a collaborative effort but, for example, I would show Michel the beats on my demo. He would try to recreate them and then we talked about what could work better or how he would play it. I’d say he sticked to about 90% to the original drum ideas.
The production is also much better on the new album. I also had a little help from Philip Harrison mixing an arranging the songs.
How will you bring the album to life at the record release party on 31st May?
The live performance is basically us playing the songs how we want to, so it is a pretty wild ride. The cool thing about having a great band is that there is not much need to explain. Everyone gets it and put their own energy and personality into their performance.
We want to play as much as we can and at as many venues as we can, and would love to work with a great booker. You know, our music needs to be out there!
Anything else you would like to add?
I think it’s cool that you start an own blog! And I am happy I can be a part of it.
Eventfrog - tickets for the record release party on 31st May