"I don't feel so alive."





The opening line of Gabriella Cohen's terrific first single of the same name doesn't start with so much of a bang as a lurch. Her guitar strum is slow and heavy, like trudging home drunk from a party; but the ensuing layers of Cohen's gorgeously sighed vocals make it plain that if the Australian singer-songwriter is drunk on anything, it's heartbreak. Her 2016 debut, Full Closure and No Details, was made in only ten days, but the songs contained within sound like they've been labored over, if only in her head, for much, much longer.





With a hotly anticipated gig coming up at Mohawk in which she will open for Los Angeles band Foxygen, we spoke with Gabriella Cohen about impulsive purchases, not telling certain things to the press, and being inspired by Cruella de Vil.

















Do512: Can you describe your SXSW experience in three words?





Gabriella Cohen: Hmmm. Friendly. Whiskey. Walking. Everybody was so welcoming. Strangers, venue staff, security—people were absolutely lovely to us. I'd like to spend more time in that city for sure.





What is the most exciting thing happening for Gabriella Cohen right now?

Gabriella Cohen: This next tour is very exciting. Our whole street in one neighborhood in Australia was listening to Foxygen for a good year. It was like a buzz record, we all loved it. Now, we get to tour with Foxygen across America. It's an absolute dream. Everything is exciting. There's nothing to complain about.





Nice. We've heard the guys in Foxygen are nice people.





Gabriella Cohen: Yeah, they're cool. They feel like old friends. They feel normal. Y'know?





Gabriella Cohen Bandcamp





What was your last impulsive purchase? Was it worth it?

Gabriella Cohen: I recently bought this leather pinafore. It definitely wasn't worth it. Things are overpriced here. It was like $210, a pretty ridiculous price. I think I'm going to return it.





Where did you buy it?

Gabriella Cohen: [Laughs] I can't tell you that. I exchanged it and posted on Instagram.





What smell reminds you of your childhood?

Gabriella Cohen: Probably the smell of rain or wood or honey. Yeah, rain, wood, and honey. All good things. Honey was always around growing up and it never fails to remind me of my childhood. I love honey.





What song do you wish you had written?

Gabriella Cohen: Oh wow. Maybe like 99% of The Velvet Underground's songs or any song by The Strokes. It's tough picking one individual song. Hmmm. Actually, "Jamie Marie" by GIRLS. That's a really good song. I love everything Christopher Owens writes.





What's the first thing you do when you get back home after a tour?

Gabriella Cohen: I feel like we haven't had a stable home base for a while now. We kind of just go straight into rehearsals or we start planning for the next big thing. I guess we like to stretch our legs and catch up on some sleep though. But I'm not going home after this tour. I'm going to Mexico for a little while.









Gabriella Cohen Facebook





That'll be amazing. So is there any sort of mantra that you live your life by?

Gabriella Cohen: Yeah, totally. I just can't tell you because it's a secret. You're supposed to keep your mantras to yourself or else they won't come true. I think I read that somewhere.





What is the coolest souvenir that you've bought in your travels?

Gabriella Cohen: Um, nothing so far to be honest. I really don't pick up souvenirs unless they're like hats or fur coats. That's my definition of a souvenir.





Hats and fur coats. Fancy.

Gabriella Cohen: I'm really inspired by Cruella de Vil from 100 Dalmatians. She's got really cool style.





I bet you're not as evil though.

Gabriella Cohen: Well maybe I will be as evil as her in a couple of years. We'll see how the music industry goes...





What have you tried once that you'd never try again?

Gabriella Cohen: Hmm. When I released my previous album, I alluded to the record as a breakup album and I kind of regret saying that. It seems like a lot of critics and fans have latched onto that narrative and it's somewhat wrong. The record is definitely not a breakup album. Or maybe it is. I'm not sure. I just wish I hadn't said that. I tend to overshare. I'm probably oversharing right now.





If someone was currently writing the Gabriella Cohen biography, what would this specific chapter of your life be called?

Gabriella Cohen: "Young, but Maybe Getting Older."





Is there anything that you'd like to add?







Gabriella Cohen: Anyone who reads this should listen to Father, Son, Holy Ghost by GIRLS. I'm sure everyone in America knows it but it's such a good record.

Gabriella Cohen Facebook















