Henika is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer based in Auckland, New Zealand.
In this interview, we chat with Henika about her newest project, influences and more.
Q&A with links and a stream of her self-titled EP can be found below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I was born in Slovakia but I have spent most of my life in New Zealand. I spent some time living in the US too. I studied in Madison WI for a couple of years. I love the simple honest folk of the Midwest.
It’s always hard to describe your own music because it’s impossible to be objective about it. I think it comes from dark places but it is ultimately hopeful. It’s very introspective. Atmospheric. I love contrasts. Open and vulnerable to a big layered wall of sound. It’s headphone candy. Lush vocal harmonies over dissonant chords. One reviewer said “cinematic art-folk”. Little hints of jazz harmony. I also have a 90s alternative rock streak in me too. I think you need to hear a few songs before you make up your mind.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
My musical journey was definitely not linear! I’m a musician by trade. I studied jazz at university. I perform and teach for a living but I never really did much with my own music until now. Why? I’m not sure. It was what I really wanted the whole time yet somehow something held me back. Maybe it was just confidence. Maybe I had to live a bit to have something to write about. It wasn’t until my OE (what New Zealanders call ‘overseas experience’) in the States that the desire for artistic fulfilment really kicked into gear. I met two people that changed my life. One was Prof. Richard Davis, a jazz bass legend who took me under his wing and taught me that it’s not about talent but attitude. The other was Blair Clark, a skilled songwriter who simply encouraged me to try. It wasn’t until my return home that I really made a go of it. I just wrote and wrote with no real purpose but only to see what would come out. When I stepped back, I started to see common threads. I narrowed it down and began producing the best demos I could in my home studio. I played all the instruments and programmed the drums and then I put it out on the web. I was lucky enough to win a local competition which gave me funding to record in a real studio with a producer and make a video. Now, I’m just building on that. I’ve just released my first EP and I am satisfied with it as an opening statement.
I have humble ambitions. As long as I can continue to create more and keep improving, I am happy. What motivates me is that only by creating my own music can I scratch that particular itch in my soul.
Who or what are your biggest influences when it comes to your creativity?
It’s hard for me to choose because I love so many different artists. Jimi Hendrix was probably my first true love. He really made me want to play the guitar. There is so much energy, passion and creativity in his music. It’s still so fresh and it moves me just as much even now. I love all kinds of music though. I’ve never been picky about genre. I think the more diverse your tastes, the more likely you are to come up with something original. You can sense when someone is being sincere, regardless of style or complexity. I think that’s what people really connect with.
I am just as much influenced by films, literature and visual art as I am by music. To me, it’s all one and the same. It’s all art. When I write songs, I think about the scene I am creating. The colours and the atmosphere it constructs are so important. I love to be transported by a work. I want to step into another universe for a moment. I’m also a filmmaker so I take my videos seriously. The video is a great opportunity to add another layer of meaning to the music.
How is your new release different than previous ones? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
This is my first EP so I don’t have much to compare it to other than my home demos. For the EP I worked with an experienced producer (Andrew Buckton) and therefore the quality is far greater than what I could produce on my own. I also had an excellent drummer (Mike Franklin-Browne) play on it who is a legend here in the NZ music industry. They both really brought the songs to life.
This EP is about me finding my voice, literally. I’m a trained instrumentalist but I have never done much as a vocalist. It was harrowing putting my voice out into the open for the first time. I felt vulnerable in a totally new way, like there was nowhere to hide. I think it payed off in the end and added a sincerity that only the songwriter can add to their own piece. I’m getting more confident as a singer but I still wince when I hear my voice played back.
With this EP, I set out to figure out who I was musically. Having played all kinds of music, it was hard for me to find my own sound. Initially, I was worried the songs were too diverse and wouldn’t fit together. However, in retrospect, I think there is a commonality. I have decided to embrace my eclectic nature in future and not worry too much about where I fit in.
Do you face any challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? On the flip side, how has technology helped you (if it has)?
I’ve spent a lot of time trying to find out what the best strategy is for an independent artist in this climate. The reality is that from seasoned professionals to fresh faced innovators, no one actually knows. The landscape is shifting too quickly. It can be a bit bewildering. I really don’t know where to focus my energy. Facebook? Radio? Blogs? I would rather just focus on producing music but if I don’t promote it, no one will hear it. There is so much new content flooding the market, it’s easy to just get buried under it all even if you’ve produced something good.
On the other hand, I really enjoy connecting with actual fans which was difficult before social media. Today, no matter what genre of music, you can find with a fan base around the world. It’s also easier than ever to self-release and be an independent artist. I love being able to control my image and make music I want with no labels to answer to. I can put whatever I want, whenever I want out there and no one can stop me!
How do you feel about streaming services? Any romantic attachments to the physical formats: vinyl, 8-track, cassettes, CDs?
I just can’t get into streaming. I can see how it’s convenient but I just don’t think it is for real fans. I’m not satisfied by it. I grew up with physical formats so they hold a special place in my heart. There’s something about being able to hold the object in your hands. I would spend hours just staring at album covers while I played the music on repeat. Then there are all the interesting titbits in the liner notes. Who played on what track? Where was it mixed? The dedications etc. It’s so much more personal than a download or stream. However, I understand the economic argument. It’s very expensive to create with no guaranteed return and for an independent artist that is lucky to just break even, it’s a luxury. In saying that, I will one day release something on vinyl, simply because I want a copy of it for myself!
Where can we follow you online and hear more music?
I’m most active on Facebook. Bandcamp is the best place to buy my music but I’m also on Spotify and Itunes.
- Bandcamp: https://henika.bandcamp.com/releases
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/henikamusic/
- My website: http://henika.co/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HenikaMusic
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/henika
Anything else before we sign off?
Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to talk about music. I’ve recently done a live show streamed on Facebook Live. It got a very positive response so I will definitely be broadcasting more in the future. If you want to see me ‘live’ and don’t live in New Zealand, you can watch online! All this is on my Facebook page as above. I’m also working on a new music video for ‘The River’ which should be out soon so watch this space 🙂
Cheers, Henika
