After her studies in the Netherland s, she decided to stay in Amsterdam where she became part of the engaged DOEK-collective and an active member of the international improvisors scene, performing extensively all over Europe. Besides her frequent solo concerts, she has been working regularly in duos with guitarist Mat?ss Čudars, trumpeter Susana Santos Silva or drummer Onno Govaert and is also one of the founding members of the interdisciplinary group I/O. As a composer she leads the genre-expand ing Kaja Draksler Octet and has been commissioned by various international groups, ranging from vocal and chamber ensembles to big band s and orchestras.
Draksler is interested in finding ways to merge composition and improvisation by working with different structures and musical logics. Her very own and irresistibly clear sound moves between the aesthetics of avant-garde Jazz, New Music and traditional Slovenian music as she is drawn to the idea of erasing the stylistic and historical musical borders, discovering personal expression and language through composition and improvisation.
FACTS:
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
Life.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
I was 3 or 4 years old, my parents got me a toy piano and I haven’t stopped since.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
I do not really have 5 favourite albums, it’s something ever changing and highly depending on my mood.
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
Space, fancy bubbled drinks, big apartments, vietnamese food, unpainted walls.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
My former living room.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Garden.
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
Marcin Masecki’s Chopin Nocturnes.
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Pretty happy with the people I collaborate with already.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
As spectator probably Craig Taborn’s solo, or Roscoe Mitchell’s solo (generally like to watch solos), as performer…hard to say…
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
Important. Helps me send emails.
11. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
I have a brother. He likes some of the things I do.
