INTERVIEW ARTIST INTERVIEW: COTOBA

[Polaris_Tae]

INTERVIEW: COTOBA

Hello Hallyuplussers! Today we're talking to the Korean Independent math rock & post-rock band, Cotoba. Three of the group's members — DyoN Joo, Dafne, Hyerim & Minsuh — sat down with us today. The group's name is derived from the Japanese word cotoba (コトバ), which means "word, language." The group officially made their debut in August 29, 2019, with their EP, Form of Tounge. In February 2020, their videos on Naver Onstage gained popularity and they were invited to Glastonbury Festival, but the plans got cancelled due to a quarantine that year. In 2023, they were named the Pentaport Rock Festival Super Rookie. On October 26, 2023, they released a digital single co-isolation as a pre-release for the band's fourth EP Humanoid Operational - A short musical record of the living present with "coii" serving as the single's title track.



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Q: Hello, Cotoba, please introduce yourselves.

Dafne: Hello, I’m Dafne, playing guitar and producing for Cotoba. Nice to meet you.

Hyerim: Hi! I’m Hyerim, the bassist of Cotoba.

DyoN: Hey everyone, I’m DyoN Joo, the vocalist/guitarist/blonde hair of Cotoba. Nice to meet you!!!


Q: Congratulations on winning Pentapork Rock Festival's Super Rookie Award! Does this serve as motivation to show a better side of yourselves as a band, or does the pressure of awards and achievements weigh down heavily on you?

Dafne: Performing at Pentaport was a very inspiring experience for the band. It gave us the momentum to move forward toward our next goal.

Hyerim: It felt like a healthy kind of pressure and became a driving force for preparing for future performances. Looking back, it was a joyful and fun memory.

DyoN: I was happy that our fans enjoyed it. It made me think, “Ah, it looks like we’re working hard in the eyes of others too.” However, because I have a strong desire to keep progressing, the award itself didn’t feel like motivation or pressure.


Q: In February, you released, “Away Home”. It's been said that DyoN Joo wrote this song after reading the sad story about a baby polar bear and its feelings of loneliness and loss. How did you channel the emotions of loneliness and loss from the polar bear's story into your songwriting? Was there a particular moment or image that resonated with you the most?

DyoN: When I stay immersed in the emotions and scenes from the stories I read, melodies and lyrics naturally come to mind. It’s like tapping your knee while sitting, and your leg bounces up—it’s instinctive. The strongest image in my mind was of a vast snowy field at a dusky, cold dawn. A polar bear and an elderly woman stand facing each other from a distance so great they can barely make each other out. Time passes ambiguously, and they can’t draw closer. Eventually, they have to turn and walk away.


Q: Were you able to discover any new facets of yourselves while working on preparing for your mini album Humanoid Operational? How did the protagonist of the album, Kirie, come to life? Who came up with her name and her story of navigating the swiftly changing currents of life?

Dafne: The Humanoid Operational release concert wasn’t just a performance—it incorporated storytelling with narration. I wouldn’t say I discovered a new side of myself through it; rather, the story had already been laid out. “Kyrie” is a track from the full album 4pricot. To put it simply, Kyrie is a delicate, fragile, beautiful, self-aware character or entity. While this could reflect certain human traits, within the album, it’s portrayed as a humanoid. A humanoid isn’t human but becomes aware of its own humanity, feeling the frustration and drama of being unable to truly become human. That’s why we chose to depict a self-aware humanoid.

Hyerim: I realized that I’m a darker person than I thought and that I enjoy darker themes. When it was released, I enjoyed reading Dafne’s article on Brunch.


Q: Was Cotoba always your first choice for a band name? Or was there another name that the group almost went with instead? (question asked by our member Polaris_Tae)

Dafne: We had a candidate name, cocoro. Personally, I felt it sounded more math rock, post-rock, and emo-like, but since a singer-songwriter was already using the name, we went with cotoba.

Q: How long have the members played their instruments? Does anyone play a second instrument? (question asked by our member UMJI MOODS)

Dafne: It’s been about ten years since I started playing guitar. I didn’t study it in college. When creating demo tracks, I often play bass too. I think bass is such an attractive instrument.

Hyerim: I’ve been playing bass for about five years, and I played guitar for about 4-5 years before that. Recently, I managed to play the first verse of “Pretender” by Official髭男dism (Official Hige Dandism) on drums.

DyoN: I first bought a guitar in my third year of middle school, so it’s been over ten years. As a child, I learned the traditional Korean instrument gayageum for about four years, and like many Korean kids, I also learned piano for about six years. Of course, I never practiced any of them properly. But I’m really good at playing the recorder.


Q: Do you choose music for albums that you think is complimentary or do you prefer more of a variety? (question asked by our member UMJI MOODS)

Dafne: It’s something I always ponder, but I usually choose “music I like.” However, I try to ensure that each track contains elements that many people might enjoy.

DyoN: I try to balance those two aspects, but ultimately, I end up including what sounds good to me.


Q: I see that your schedule with Glastonbury sadly got cancelled last minute due to unforeseen circumstances (covid). Are there any other international music festivals that you'd like to attend? Which ones are they and why? (question asked by our member Polaris_Tae)

Dafne: I’d like to perform at ArcTanGent. I heard from my Mexican friends in the band DJ Perro that they performed there and met many great math rock and post-rock musicians. I was a bit envious.

DyoN: I definitely want to perform at Japan’s Synchronicity! I also want to perform at Fuji Rock Festival, ArcTanGent, The Great Escape, and Vive Latino in Mexico. There are also many great festivals in Taiwan that I’d like to play at. And, of course, I can’t leave out Coachella.


Q: Do you enjoy touring or like playing closer to home more? (question asked by our member UMJI MOODS)

Dafne: I enjoy local tours or performances near home, but I also love long-distance tours.

Hyerim: I like resting at the accommodation during tours.

DyoN: I enjoy travelling far to perform. It feels like I can directly see how far our music has reached. I also enjoy going overseas. But if we don’t perform in Korea, I’d feel lonely, so I want to meet our Korean fans regularly.


Q: Has anything funny/unusual happened during a performance? (question asked by our member UMJI MOODS)

Dafne: Sometimes, I overact during performances, but I find it amusing, and when the other members enjoy it, I feel proud.

DyoN: During a performance in Mexico, someone shouted at me, “Callate y Besame!!” ["Shut up and kiss me"]. Hearing that made me really happy.

Q: Cover songs are becoming a much larger part of the music industry lately. If you could choose from any artist to cover any of your recent music, who would it be? (question asked by our member Polaris_Tae)

Dafne: Honestly, I don’t find covers that fun, so I’m not sure. But if another member suggests a good song, I’d consider it.

DyoN: In February, we’ll be performing with Suichu Spica and Dabda, and I’ve always liked their music, so I’d like to try covering their songs.


Q: Cup Ramen is a very popular instant meal, both in Korea and globally. What is the one added ingredient that you think is a must-add for any cup ramen recipe? (question asked by our member Polaris_Tae)

Dafne: Recently, I’ve been adding cheddar cheese to my food—it’s pretty good.

Hyerim: Adding soft-boiled eggs...

DyoN: I don’t add anything. I just reduce the water. Less water makes it more intense and flavorful. I don’t eat cup noodles often for health reasons, but if I’m going to eat them, I want them to be as unhealthy and tasty as possible—it’s more satisfying that way.


Q: What message do you have for the future of Cotoba? What would you like to say something to your future selves?

Dafne: Each person’s life is their own, but it’s not solely theirs. I hope people take the time to learn about themselves and treat themselves kindly.

Hyerim: Stay healthy and happy.

DyoN: Rest when you need to, and work when you need to. Don’t overdo it. Be careful with your knees when climbing. And don’t forget to keep striving to become a better person.

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You can find out more about Cotoba via their SNS links below:
YouTube: youtube.com/@bandcotoba
Facebook: @bandcotoba
Instagram: @bandcotoba
Twitter/x.com: @bandcotoba





GFX: @yerm
Proofreader: @Polaris_Tae
Interview Conducted By: @Polaris_Tae (with assistance from @Chococo)
Translation Credit: @desmondkim on Fiverr ​

 

[UMJI MOODS]

A nice interview with a band is definitely a good contrast. I wish them well in their ongoing careers.

 

[Jibang]

Great work, thanks