In January, UCHE YARA took home the coveted Music Moves Europe Award at the Eurosonic Festival in Groningen – an accolade previously awarded to the likes of Dua Lipa and Adele. Her sound defies pigeonholing, and her vast vocal range lets her embrace different personalities in her music. Having shared the stage with acts like Bilderbuch, Parcels, and The Rolling Stones, she’s now ready to be the headlining act.
How does it feel to be a part of this MME Awards?
It feels like a movie. I’m fully aware that this is such a huge honour and I’m so happy to be here. It gives me a lot of exposure being here, but I’m just trying to stay calm in this sea of craziness.
When I get in the studio, I play all the instruments on my own and I think this is what makes it so funny-sounding.
Apart from winning this award, what would you say has been your breakout moment?
For me that would have to be the COLORS session last April. This was one of the biggest things that happened to me. From this, I realised that people were actually listening to my music and checking me out.
It’s almost impossible to pin you down to any genre. How would you describe your music?
I would say that it reflects my crazy, playground brain, that there are so many influences I take from multiple genres. My music is really genre-fluid, alternative pop. When I get in the studio, I play all the instruments on my own and I think this is what makes it so funny-sounding.
And what about playing live, do you have some favourite venues in Berlin?
I had my first headline show in Berghain Kantine last year, which was great. I also went to Obongjayar play in Baketown, which is this funky, DIY and cosy venue in Schöneberg.
How long have you been in Berlin?
It’s my third year now. I moved straight here after my A-Levels. It was quite a clash because I come from the countryside in upper Austria, where there’s lots of hills and tractors driving around.
Yes, there are definitely less hills and tractors here. Do you feel like you’re learned anything about yourself in these three years?
That anything is possible. I also realised that I’m not that important, because there’s so many people here. I like to see all the colours and things that are happening in Berlin, but I also see it as a blank page, that nobody has written on it yet.
When you’re not in the studio, is there anywhere you go to take a breather?
There’s this bridge in Kreuzberg near Gleisdreieck, Köthener Brücke, where you can see out across the city. It’s a lot quieter than Admiralbrücke. The sunsets are really romantic and there’s a nice Späti nearby.
With winning these two awards, it seems like you’re on a roll. How does the rest of this year look?
Right now I want to focus on new music and find some sort of routine because everything is moving so fast.
