Cocomyrrh: Thank you both for joining me today! Your music is beautifully ethereal, yet it emerges from a rather industrial backdrop. Let’s start with the environment surrounding your home. How does the Marathon Petroleum refinery influence your creativity, if at all?
Giovanna Lenski: Thanks for having us! The refinery looms large over our neighborhood, and it’s hard to ignore its presence. At night, when the lights come on, it can look quite mesmerizing, almost like an alien cityscape. But the history of the place—the toxic gas leak and the repercussions on local residents—definitely adds a layer of complexity to our experience here.
Christian Molik: It’s definitely a juxtaposition. While the factory represents something harsh and industrial, we try to find beauty in it. It reminds us to create art that offers an escape from that reality, which is part of the reason we aim to create these otherworldly soundscapes.
Cocomyrrh: It’s interesting how you channel your surroundings into your art. Can you tell me about the process of making your debut album, Only Hinting? How did you approach it compared to your previous EPs?
Christian Molik: Only Hinting has been a real step up for us in terms of both equipment and our overall recording process. We’ve put a lot of thought into the acoustic treatment of our home studio, making sure it’s comfortable and conducive to our creative flow.
Giovanna Lenski: We initially started recording separately and sharing ideas remotely, but once we began working together in person in 2020, we felt a much better dynamic. Collaborating face-to-face allowed us to bounce ideas off each other more organically, which really improved our creative process.
Cocomyrrh: That sounds like a significant turning point for you both. How do you describe your sound to those who may not have heard your music yet?
Giovanna Lenski: I like to think of our sound as a blend of post-rock, shoegaze, and dream pop. It’s immersive and layered, transporting listeners to a different realm. We want to evoke feelings that resonate with nature, vastness, and freedom, which can feel worlds away from the industrial landscape outside our door.
Christian Molik: Exactly! We draw inspiration from a lot of different sources, and we want our music to create an emotional experience, like being in an enchanted forest or on a calm beach at night.
Cocomyrrh: Your lyrics are quite poetic. Can you share a bit about your inspiration behind them, Giovanna?
Giovanna Lenski: A lot of my lyrics are inspired by literature and the stories that unfold within them. They create a narrative for me, a space to escape into while listening to our music. I like to use imagery that evokes feelings of longing and the desire to be elsewhere.
For instance, on “kissing through the veil,” there’s a dreamy quality, while “i am the dancer” explores deeper themes. I aim to write in a way that stretches the listener’s imagination, painting vivid scenes that can resonate on a subconscious level.
Cocomyrrh: It seems you both find a balance between personal themes and a larger, almost mythical scope in your music. How did your backgrounds influence your creative partnership?
Christian Molik: I think our individual experiences have greatly shaped our sound. Before Clinic Stars, I was involved in various musical projects, but I never really had a steady duo like this. The combination of my guitar work and Giovanna’s ethereal vocals has allowed us to explore sounds in a way we hadn’t before.
Giovanna Lenski: And as for me, my previous projects were largely instrumental, so discovering my voice in this context has been liberating. I didn’t really explore singing much until now, but it feels very freeing to layer my voice in a way that complements Christian’s guitar work.
Cocomyrrh: That’s wonderful! You mentioned performing live—what has that experience been like for you as you transition from studio work to a stage setting?
Christian Molik: It’s definitely a challenge! Replicating the layers of sound from the album live requires a lot of gear, but we’re getting close with our five-piece band. It’s a lot to manage, but having that extra support allows us to bring the songs to life more dynamically.
Giovanna Lenski: Yes, translating our sound to a live format has been an adjustment, especially since we ideally would have multiple guitarists. But working with other musicians has been enjoyable, and it’s fun to see how everyone contributes to the overall vibe.
Cocomyrrh: It sounds like you’re making the most of the situation! What are you most excited about with the release of Only Hinting?
Giovanna Lenski: Honestly, just sharing it with the world! We’ve poured so much love into this project, and we can’t wait for people to hear it. We’re also looking forward to connecting with fans and playing shows. There’s something magical about sharing music live, and we’re ready to experience that.
Christian Molik: I’m also excited about the Kranky showcase in Detroit. It feels surreal to share the stage with artists we admire, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to further engage with the Detroit music scene.
Cocomyrrh: That sounds incredible! As a final thought, what do you hope listeners take away from Only Hinting?
Giovanna Lenski: I hope they find a sense of escape in our music. It’s about creating spaces where they can feel free, dream, and reflect on their own experiences.
Christian Molik: And I hope it inspires them to see beauty in unexpected places, just like we do with our surroundings. There’s magic to be found even amid the chaos, and our music aims to highlight that.
Cocomyrrh: Thank you both so much for sharing your insights with me today! I can’t wait to hear Only Hinting and see where your journey takes you next.
Giovanna Lenski: Thank you for having us!
Christian Molik: Yes, thank you! We appreciate the conversation.
English