Diana Goldberg Talks Debut EP, Musical Influences And More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
With her debut EP ‘Blossom In The Dark’ being released previously and her new single ‘Alleviate’, it was time to learn more about Diana Goldberg and her sound:
When did you start performing and writing music?
I started performing classical pieces at competitions when I was 7 years old, started to write my own songs as a space that I claimed for myself when I was 12 years old, and performed with my brother and band from my teens onwards.
You have previously released your debut EP ‘Blossom In The Dark’. How did you want to approach the making of the EP?
I had a clear vision for the EP from the beginning, ‘Dripping In My Blood’ & ‘Defeated’ were the first songs that I wrote, both songs starting with the letter D – just like my name Diana and ‘dark’ in the EP title – representing the growth I had to go through after letting go of a toxic relationship. In fact, all songs on the EP with the letter D are the darkest ones.
Where did you record the EP and who produced it?
I recorded it in Munich and Berlin with Joseph Feinstein – one of my best buddies and most talented producers and co-writers I know. I also co-wrote the song with my buddy Ashely Parris via Zoom mostly, since he is based in London.
In addition, you have your single ‘Alleviate’ which is out now. What was the inspiration/story behind the song?
I wrote the song last year when my dad was struggling with his health. It really shook me because I’m very close with my family and felt helpless. I distracted myself with work to not think about the worst outcome which is kind of selfish but that was the basis for the song and I kept it real in the first lines of the song. Although I felt helpless in regards to his diagnosis, I wanted to find a way to relieve his pain and let him know that I’ll always be there for him, offering him my love, a hug, wanting to see him again and holding him in my arms. It is one of the quickest songs I’ve ever written and I finished the recording process within a week.
The single is accompanied by a music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?
I directed the video and planned the outfit with my stylist Janine Scholz. I chose the mirrored corset top from Berlin-based fashion label Haderlump to show that pain is often bottled up in each one of us, we hardly see its surface and sometimes, looking at someone else‘s pain you see your own reflection in it. Maybe some listeners can relate and deal with a similar situation – the worsening health situation of a loved one. We cannot escape time and age, what we can do is to be there for our loved ones as often as possible. For the music video, I chose to go with the acoustic version of Alleviate instead of the fully produced one, to reflect my real emotions and rawness of the topic that hit home. My producer and close friend Charlie en vogue is playing the piano in the music video – without him, we wouldn’t have had this beautifully orchestrated acoustic version and the fully produced one. He supported me a lot during this tough time and I wanted to include him in the music video to show his talented and pay gratitude to him and our recording process.
What is your earliest musical memory?
Listening to Adagio in G Minor with my mom on a CD player when I was 4 years old. I still remember and feel the sensations I felt when I heard the song for the first time, the dramaturgy and the melodies. That piece still moves me today.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones?
My Sennheiser microphone E945 and Roland VR-09 keyboard.
Do you have any live plans for 2024 in the UK and Europe?
Yes. Next to playing a few intimate club shows in Munich, Berlin, Cologne and Stuttgart, I‘m playing a few festivals in Germany in the summer that will be announced soon and will be performing in the Netherlands (Rotterdam on the weekend of the 31.5-2.6).
My team and I are currently also working on getting some shows booked in the UK, France and Austria. Updates will be posted on my website: diana-goldberg.com
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
Munich in Germany is my hometown. These are my 5 words: new beginnings, traditions, nature, swimming in the river in the city centre in the summers (Isar), Oktoberfest;) (it’s the most famous thing we’re known for outside and inside of Germany)
What music do you enjoy listening to? Do you have any recommendations?
I love to listen to all kinds of music and get inspired from different genres- ranging from Debussy and Chopin to Killer Mike, Stormzy, Raye, Billie Eilish and Justin Timberlake.
Some recommendations that I currently listen to on repeat:
God in a Dress – Paloma Faith
Exit 9 – Killer Mike
Clare De Lune – Claude Debussy
Something Real – Post Malone
Say Something – Lil Yachty
Into the Walls – Griff
How do you look after your voice?
I take a lot of time for myself these days and look after my mental health but also do vocal exercises every day and am constantly singing or humming. I also implemented some healthy routines, like meditating, drinking tea before bed time and regularly playing sports – cycling or playing Badminton with my friends during the week and also doing sports on tour.
What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?
Inspire my listeners to dream big and be bold and courageous to go after what they want in life and make their world a little bit better by letting them forget their worries for a night and connect with other amazing people at my shows. My music is very emotional but also empowering- I think that if we openly face our fears, they lose their power over us.
Do you have any more music releases lined up?
Yesss. I’m planning on releasing my second EP ‘TEARS DON’T FALL IN SPACE’ this summer and I’m so excited because that means that some music is being released ahead of the EP already.
Feature Image Photo Credit: Laura Weber
Her debut EP ‘Blossom In The Dark’ is out now.
Her latest single ‘Alleviate’ is also out now.
Stream it here: https://lnk.fuga.com/dianagoldberg_alleviate-1
For more information visit her official website here: diana-goldberg.com
