She’s already won awards and been sampled by the likes of A$AP Rocky, but Perth bedroom-producer Kučka still values the kind of growth and development that an institution like Red Bull Music Academy will bring. It’s well known now that RBMA is one of the most challenging, provoking, and rewarding experiences for any producer or artist looking to expand, and this year’s Paris addition looks to be the biggest yet. Kučka was one of the select artists that got through the unique admissions process and is over in Paris now soaking up all that RBMA has the offer. Before she took off, Kučka had a chat with us about the process of getting into the highly regarded dance institution and what the admissions process was like.
Congratulations on making it into RBMA for this year. What was your initial reaction when you found out you were successful?
I was in complete disbelief for about 15 minutes. I had to re-read the email about 10 times before I called my boyfriend to tell him, just to check that I was reading it correctly!
Why did you decide to apply and have you tried in previous years?
I have applied twice before, and almost didn’t apply this year because a good friend who I hadn’t seen for a while invited me out to dinner the night before the application was due. I managed to go to go for dinner and then stay up most of the night to finish the application.
I’ve heard the application process is very interesting. How long did it take you to complete?
Yeah it’s about 20 pages of questions, ranging from listing your favourite local music to drawing diagrams of your record collection and your place in the ‘musical universe’. It took me a couple of days to complete.
What were some of more surprising or memorable parts of the application process? Were they also the most difficult?
I think the diagrams were the hardest because I’m terrible at drawing. I just went crazy with coloured pencils and I think they turned out okay.
From the time between acceptance and now, how have you been preparing for RBMA?
I’m not really sure how to prepare to be honest! Obviously I am getting my live show together, as I have to play solo which is a little bit different, but apart from that I’m just kind of making music like I would usually!
Have you formed any game plan as to how you’re going to approach and balance the various master classes, sessions, and of course, the social life?
I think I’m just going to do as much as I can before I pass out each day.
You’ll have access to a pretty diverse selection of tutors like Just Blaze and Modeselektor. Anyone in particular you plan on gravitating towards in terms of what sound you are aiming for with your own work?
Not really. I don’t want to go there with any pre-conceived ideas of working with anyone, I think these things work best when you naturally form a connection based on the environment you are in. I think if I try to plan it too much there’s a chance it might cut me off from something wild and unexpected happening.
In mentioning your sound, what has your experience as a producer been like up to now? When did you first start making music?
I started when I was about 19 or 20. I found Garage Band and started experimenting and things grew from there. After a few months someone showed me Ableton and that’s when I started doing some live performances, which were quite experimental in the early days.
What does it mean to you, being attached to an institution like Red Bull Music Academy, as opposed to other avenues for career growth?
I guess I still have to go down the other avenues, Red Bull Music Academy is something that I will be doing in November but it’s not necessarily going to completely change my career path. I feel like it’s a privilege to pursue a career in music and it’s also a privilege to be able to attend Red Bull Music Academy, so any path is fine with me.
Kucka is over in Paris for RBMA right now along with fellow Aussie producer DXHeaven. For more information head to wwww.redbullmusicacademy.com
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