Affoltern am Albis (CH) - La Marotte
Playing my own music has been a long journey for me. Allowing myself to write and being brave enough to share it with musicians I deeply respect has been a big step as a singer—especially coming from a decade of interpreting lieder by Schubert, Schumann, and Brahms, the geniuses of song. This artistic process means a lot to me, and I’m incredibly grateful to share it with pianist Jean-Paul Brodbeck and bass player Lukas Traxel. From our very first rehearsal, I felt supported and truly excited to explore how these songs could take shape.
Some of the songs we played at La Marotte in Affoltern I had performed before; others, we debuted that evening. La Marotte is a beautiful, intimate jazz club, run by a warm-hearted and dedicated crew who have created such a welcoming space. Thank you, Isabelle, for the wonderful collaboration and for your kind, uncomplicated way of making everything happen.
Jean-Paul, Lukas, and I had only played together twice before—once in Dübendorf and once at Schnyder’s house concert—so this was our third time making music together. I arrived the day before the concert, taking an early train from Vienna with my best friend, who kindly helped me carry all my gear (I brought a cajón for our Winter’s Journey concert the following Saturday). The journey was long but fun, and I even ran into some members of Mnozil Brass on the train!
After a more or less good night’s sleep in the heart of Zurich, I met the guys at Lukas’ rehearsal room around noon. We spent the afternoon rehearsing and reconnecting. Though I would have loved more time together, we made it work and took the train to Affoltern in the late afternoon. Once there, it was a whirlwind of soundcheck, settling into the hotel, getting ready, and thinking about the setlist.
Even on stage, as we started playing, I wasn’t entirely sure what to play when and kept questioning or adjusting it. Playing with Jean-Paul and Lukas is something truly special. The way they know and play together is so flexible and at the same time steady. Their music-making can go in any direction at any time but it never loses focus. They are incredible players and it is an honour working with this duo.
mathias was also in the audience—he actually went to primary school in Affoltern for one year, first grade! We played two sets, including a duo performance from Jean-Paul and Lukas of ‘Nobody Else but Me’ in the middle. There was also a special guest moment where Mathias and I performed Mondnacht together in the second set before the last song. We ended the night with an encore: Twisted, a piece my voice teacher gave me back when I studied in LA.
This whole experience—playing my music, giving it space, and opening myself up—still feels very new and vulnerable. But I am truly grateful for what I’m learning and discovering along the way.
Thank you to everyone who came out: mathias, Sybille, Roli & Michi, and, of course, the wonderful audience and crew at La Marotte.
...And you know, two heads are better than one.
Yours,
Lia
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