Singing is a therapeutic process

13 października 2017, 10:09

“I will be performing at venues and festivals across the UK, with original tracks and covers. I also work as a voice coach for people of all ages and abilities, helping them to find their own voice and use it correctly. During this process people get to know themselves better, so it’s also a therapeutic process” – says Kinga Kreffta, singer, whose first EP “Glad I Found You” was out last week, in an interview with Brin Best.

What brought you to England?
“I first came to London just for the summer, after completing my studies in Poland. My plan was to
earn some money and I worked as a waitress. Because I’m a singer, I also wanted to make some music contacts and start my career here in England. I’m a classically trained opera singer, but I did not want to do opera at the time. So I started researching jazz and pop music courses in the UK. I found Leeds College of Music very interesting, the pop course in particular – it’s the best and one of the most popular courses in the country. So after I earned some money in London, I came to Leeds. I graduated from the Leeds College of Music earlier this year, having really enjoyed the course.”

When you first moved to England, did you encounter any problems?
“The beginnings are difficult everywhere. I moved here on my own, without any family or friends. Also, I found that my English was rubbish! So I had to learn the language. I’m still learning it, actually. I’ve only lived here for four and a half years, and all my life I was learning German, not English. But now I no longer have these moments when I cannot express myself; I can communicate easily now.”

What do you think about British people?
“I have never come across any prejudice from British people. I think they’re mostly very sweet and helpful. Once when I got lost in the city centre I walked into an office to ask for directions, and the staff even printed some maps off for me! People are very friendly, especially here in the North. I found that London can feel quite cold, probably because it is a busy capital. But here in Leeds people are warmer. The only thing which I find strange about English people – it’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just different – is that Polish people are very open and frank, and English people sometimes seem too nice, too polite! Sometimes I’d like to know if anything is wrong – but an English person will not tell me, because they don’t want to make me feel bad! But of course it’s better to be like this than to be rude – so I still prefer it this way.”

Tell us about your new single
“The single is called ‘Glad I Found You’, and it is about two people in a relationship, a boy and a girl, with the girl saying how happy she is, now she has found her soulmate.
Although the single is autobiographical, this is of course a theme that can apply to anyone. The girl in the song explains how good she feels, safe in her boyfriend’s arms, feeling loved and feeling confident. Although the lyrics do not dwell on her past, she has experienced some difficult times, including disappointment with past relationships.
I think that all women need stability and security. I had few friends when I arrived in the UK, as well relationship difficulties, and this led me to feel depressed. Thankfully I found, completely by chance, a really nice guy and we fell madly in love. Now England feels like home, though of course life isn’t perfect, but I have more strength to deal with any challenges.
In the past I used to write mellow, sad songs reflecting how I felt. I’ve changed and my music has changed.”

The new single forms part of your debut EP (mini album). Tell us more about that
“My EP is autobiographical too, and is also called ‘Glad I Found You’. It features four songs which describe some of my experiences in the UK. The style of all the songs on this, my first EP, is electronic pop, and they are all upbeat dance tracks. My second EP, which will be launched early next year, will include a mixture of dance tracks and slower songs. It continues the theme of my life experiences.
All the songs were recorded at The Premises Studio in London, and I spent a lot of time travelling between my home in Leeds and the capital to record songs. It was produced by an amazing music producer called Hannah V. It was a pleasure to work with her, as she is a highly professional and experienced producer who has worked with Jessie J and Rihanna. I’d also like to pay tribute to my voice coach Julie Thompson, from the Leeds College of Music.
My British boyfriend Daniel provided so much support, in lots of ways, with my album, always believing in me. I would also like to thank the people of York, who supported me so generously during my regular busking visits to this historic city, helping to provide the funds I needed for my EP.”

You filmed a video to accompany the single on the Yorkshire coast. What was this experience like?
“Myself and my team spent a long day on the Yorkshire coast preparing for and filming the video. I hired a professional make-up artist and it took ages to get the make-up just right. We filmed at Staithes and Runswick Bay (as well as in the Leeds Dock area), and this involved me lip-syncing and performing on the beach, and dancers performing during the chorus in the atmospheric setting of Leeds Dock. The video shoot and editing work was done by Steve Slattery from Cedar House Film & Photography; he’s a very experienced film director from Manchester.”

What is next for you?
“I will be performing at small venues and festivals across the UK, with original tracks and covers. I also work as a voice coach for people of all ages and abilities, helping them to find their own voice and use it correctly. During this process people get to know themselves better, so it’s also a therapeutic process. I’m training to be a Complete Vocal Training coach at the Complete Vocal Institute in Copenhagen. This involves six visits per year, over three years, to the Institute’s headquarters, as well as much distance learning.”

“GLAD I FOUND YOU” – EP PROFILE
The autobiographical EP includes four tracks which document important personal milestones for Kinga. It was only possible thanks to important collaborations with several other artists and creative practitioners from the UK, Poland and Germany.

1. “Wide Awake” – Written by Kinga K and the British musician Mak Dawson (and produced by the British producer Kyle Rolph), this track references an escape from a bad relationship, and the positive move for a fresh start in another country, despite the risks involved.
2. “I Won’t Give Up” – Written by Kinga K and Marcus Thompson (also produced by Thompson), this defiant track explores the need to never give up in the face of challenges, in this case coming to the UK to build a new life. There is optimism in the face of major obstacles, and a belief that things will get better.
3. “Will You Be There?” – Written by Kinga K and the Polish musician Agata Sztuc (and produced by the German producer Hannah V) , this track reflects on what happens after an argument with a partner has got out of control, and despite the apologies that have been shared.
4. “Glad I Found You” – Written by Kinga K and the British musician Cherry Voncelle (also produced by Hannah V), this joyful track is featured in Kinga’s video and is described in the interview. It features the hypnotic dancing of the British dancers Dayna Bateman and Elliott Augustine.

Mixing and mastering on the album was by Mario Götzenberger (from Germany).

FURTHER INFORMATION
You can download Kinga’s EP from iTunes and it can also be streamed via Spotify
Facebook: Kinga K
YouTube Channel: Kinga K

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This interview was carried out as part of the ‘Poles in the UK’ project, and is linked to the book Poles in the UK: A Story of Friendship and Cooperation (by Brin Best & Maria Helena Żukowska, 2016).