An interview with Cheap Coffins
Interview by Natasha Christian & photos James Gough.
On Friday, August 11 Sydney’s one-man industrial project Cheap Coffins will take the stage at The Vanguard, Newtown with body performance artist Liberte la Femme for some Sex, Ropes & Rock’n’Roll. Based on what I’ve seen from Cheap Coffins up until now, it’s an event that will be both visually and sonically impressive. Ahead of the show, I asked project mastermind Troy Koglin a few questions.
NC: There’s a lot to unpack in the Cheap Coffins sound, what are your main influences?
TK: Musically speaking, metal has always been close to my heart (since beginning with Limp Bizkit and Korn in high school). But I tend to love things that are weird, dark, eerie, experimental or otherwise interesting. I love the storytelling ability and production of lots of Hip Hop artists (Run the Jewels, Aesop Rock, Death Grips, etc). The one-man inspiration came from projects like Author and Punisher (USA) and Long Hours (VIC). I also find some inspiration from movie directors like Kubrick, online creators and animators like Don't Hug Me I'm Scared and that ilk of oddness. And of course my friend and oft performance collaborator the incredible Liberte La Femme.
NC: How long have you been performing as CC?
TK: A few years now, late 2019 I think was when the seeds of this project started to grow.
NC: Why did you start this project?
TK: Life without some form of creative endeavour feels quite hollow and pointless - like something important is missing. And there is a strange mysterious joy that accompanies the creative process- a sense of ideas appearing as if out of nowhere, like picking up anonymous transmissions on some sort of cosmic radio. It is also very lovely to be able to meet and collaborate with so many lovely and unique and interesting individuals throughout the different elements of a project like this.
NC: What’s next for CC?
TK: The next album (a follow-up to the debut TERROR AMAZONIA) is almost finished being recorded, hopefully out in the latter half of the year.
NC: Do you have any other projects we should check out?
TK: A good friend Nathan and I have a two-piece experimental-improv-noise project called deadpartydead, which is starting to come to life and do some shows. (We have) some plans for strange live show locations (in) sewers, drains, house parties, mountain tops, etc. I'm also lucky enough to pretend to be a good singer and sing for Tool cover band 10,001 Days with some very lovely and cool dudes.
Cheap Coffins feat Liberte La Femme play Sex, Ropes & Rock’N’Roll at The Vanguard with ZCLuster, Infernal Desire Machine, Von Riga and Enryka on Friday, August 11. Get your tickets here.
