Album release: Totenhagen "Raw"

Laura Totenhagen’s new album “Raw” was released on November 8th

Improviser, singer, and composer Laura Totenhagen, NICA artist since 2020, released her new album ‘Raw’ on 8 November. The album is a compilation of five improvised duos between Totenhagen and selected musicians, with each of the duo recordings being released throughout 2025.

Having already released two albums with her a cappella quartet Of Cabbages and Kings in 2018 and 2023, Totenhagen is now continuing with her solo career. Her previous work also includes solo a cappella vocal performances, in which she uses a wide range of techniques and body movements to transform each song into a unique representation of music and expression.

Since 2020, Totenhagen’s vocal practice has undergone a radical transformation. Previously dedicated to contemporary jazz, Totenhagen can now be found in free improvisation formats with musicians such as Farida Amadou, Eve Risser or with her performative programme with solo voice. Four years ago, the Cologne-based musician embarked on a confrontational exploration of her previous work in an unconventional way. NICA artist development was able to provide support here. Totenhagen has been part of the musician development programme since 2020, which has accompanied her on her path to individualisation and further professionalisation: this leads to emancipated expression, free vocal improvisation, conceptual work, and the constant exploration of her stage presence. In her a cappella performances, as well as her work with various effects pedals, Totenhagen strives for liberation from conventional musical rules and patriarchal shackles. She explores the possibilities of her multi-faceted voice authentically, with a love of detail, humour, and a need for directness.

With her duo partners and instruments ranging from the traditional Korean gayageum to more modern FX and vocal pedals, Totenhagen explores the expression of her broad sound palette in her improvisations. With ‘Raw,’ Totenhagen and her collaborators DoYeon Kim, Sara Schoenbeck, Nick Dunston, Anton Kaun and Lucy Liebe lead the listener through a variety of ever-changing musical environments and soundscapes - a unique listening experience that constantly challenges the listener to confront change and emotion.

“This record is entertaining and leaves you hungry for more. A charming provocation that reverberates in our whirring minds – between beauty, the shadows, and (supposedly) grime.” 

writes freelance curator Louis Rastig in his liner notes for the album. Talking about the development of Totenhagen’s career and style, he says:

“Nature does not deal in “too much.” Totenhagen is its medium, and Raw is Totenhagen in a nutshell. The artistic manifestation of the Divine Feminine, she distances herself from the normative baggage of her roots through collaborative works-in-progress, taking us on a journey to the evolution of her actual self.”

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Line-up:

Laura Totenhagen - Voice + FX
DoYeon Kim - Gayageum
Sara Schoenbeck - Bassoon
Nick Dunston - Double Bass
Anton Kaun - Noise-Art
Lucy Liebe - Guitar + FX

•••

Release: 8.11.2024

Recording:
Lily Wen (Track 1-4), Figure8 Recordings Brooklyn, NYC
Reinhard Kobialka (Track 5-6), TOPAZ - Audio Studios, Cologne
Daniel Door (Track 7), SVS Studios, Munich
Dominik Ehrl (Track 8), Watt Matters Studio, Bielefeld

Mixing:
Christian Heck (Tracks 1-6), Manu Rzytki (Track 7), Lucy Liebe (Track 8)
Mastering - Lukas Fehling

Cover:
Artwork photographies - Bảo Ngô
Bioplastic Rose, Bioplastic Water Bra and Single Row Tutu - Caroline Zimbalist
Nails - BarberSpa BK
Postproduction - Thomas Lambertz
Art direction - Laura Totenhagen

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The album has been released digitally and will be available on vinyl.