Vivian Koch
I’m not sure how long Vivian Koch has been producing for, but what is remarkable is how much potential she has shown from a handful of releases. She started out in 2019 with a pair of promising EPs on Danny Daze’s Omnidisc and Don Williams’ a.r.t.less, two labels that emphasize quality. She then did something that is becoming rather rare: she made a good trance track. Seriously, so much rubbish out there at the moment. Anyway, back to Koch. Earlier this year came ‘Beyond Contact’ on AD 93, which has become one of my favourite releases of 2021. What is distinctive is how strong the EP is, there really are no weak moments. The music is beautiful and balanced, wonderfully measured.
Following on from the impressive AD 93 release is a collab with Tara Brach on Formless. The guided meditation is very much not my zone, but fortunately there is also Koch’s instrumental version and that is stunning. It lasts for 26 minutes, but easily could be double or triple that length, one of those perfect drone tracks that can just continue forever. Given the tendency for new artists to rush and clamour for attention, it is refreshing to see the way Koch is focusing on quality. She clearly has talent, it will be interesting to see how she further develops. One to watch.