On the Couch with Kiah Gossner

Kiah Gossner AAR On the CouchWho is Kiah Gossner?
Kiah Gossner is a producer, composer and session musician. After graduating from the Adelaide Conservatorium I ended up working in studios around the country and touring with shows internationally. I’m also the writer and creator of Contact which will be launching at the Adelaide Festival Centre in November.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
If I have my time again, I would like to come back as a relatively pampered family dog who receives constant love, pats and walks. I’m not proud… it’s the dream life.

Who inspires you and why?
More often than not it’s the people and creatives around me, their energy and passion, which is always infectious. That, and the art I encounter. Personally, it’s more ideas and emotions that give me inspiration.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I hope that the art I am creating has some effect on the world. I enjoy thought-provoking art, I think that art should leave you feeling/thinking something other than what you approached it with. It should broaden your view, giving you the opportunity to reflect on or encounter something you may not otherwise.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Any holiday sounds amazing right now! Not much fussed as to where, somewhere beautiful with good people and good food.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Africola. Nikki, Duncan and Imogen make some of the best food in the country. It needs to be experienced to really understand and appreciate their seriously amazing work.

What are you currently reading?
I’m always picking up a new book before finishing the last. I’m currently reading Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari. It’s a brilliant insight to the war on drugs and how we are treating the symptom of an issue and not the cause.

What are you currently listening to?
I’m going through a lot of John Coltrane; Bon Iver’s album i,i; Einojuhani Rautavaara and Big Thief. Lots of melancholy sounds and expressions at the moment.

Happiness is?
Happiness is in this poem by Frank O’Hara.

What does the future hold for you?
Right now, dinner… and edits to my latest score. But looking ahead, some pretty exciting creative collaborations; the launching of Contact at the Adelaide Festival Centre; a handful of new records to close out the year; and whole lot of touring over the summer.

Kiah will perform the world premiere of his multi-artform performance piece Contact in the Space Theatre – Adelaide Festival Centre on Friday 29 November and Saturday 30 November 2019. For more information, visit: www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au for details.

Image: Kiah Gossner (supplied)