Swiss-born, Liverpool-based singer-songwriter Lynn Dossenbach makes a significant step forward today with the release of her debut EP, Combination. Across five tracks, this LIPA (Liverpool School for Performing Arts) graduate puts forward an impressive statement of intent to be as emotionally honest and relatable as possible. Title-track ‘Combination’ is an upbeat and catchy pop number that navigates desire, uncertainty and emotional overwhelm; it really gets the whole record off to a rip-roaring start. Another highlight of the EP is German-language single ‘Anzeichen’, which was never even meant to be released, and yet this is Dossenbach at her most raw and real. Elsewhere, the songwriter distills pure feeling into ‘Pressure On My Chest’, which came even as a surprise to Dossenbach herself, as you’ll discover in the interview below. This EP has so clearly been formed by her fearless creativity as someone who leans into all possibilities when writing. With BBC Introducing support, songwriting accolades and an ever-growing reputation as a captivating live performer, the release of Combination is where this artist’s identity comes into full focus. And so, for On The Record, we caught up with Lynn Dossenbach on her journey from Switzerland to Liverpool, the story behind this EP and what comes next.
For those who aren’t already familiar with Lynn Dossenbach, can you introduce yourself?
Swiss-born and now Liverpool-based indie pop artist Lynn Dossenbach is fast emerging as a compelling new voice on the scene. A graduate of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), she blends sharp songwriting with a captivating stage presence, performing across the UK and Switzerland with her five-piece band.
Congratulations on the recent release of your new EP! For those discovering you through Combination, how would you describe this record in three words?
Diverse, exciting and bold.
You’re originally from Switzerland and now find yourself in the songwriting mecca of Liverpool, so how have those two locations influenced your songwriting?
Funnily enough, I started writing German songs in the UK. Before that, I only wrote songs in English. I wrote the first German song because I knew no one in the UK would understand what the song was about, cause it is quite personal. However, I didn’t expect to actually release the song, and now people from back home obviously know what it is about.
Through uni songwriting classes, I was able to improve my writing and was challenged to write songs in genres and lyrical themes I had never done before. People in the UK have told me that my music is quite European in the sense of being influenced by different genres.
What drew you to Liverpool specifically as the place to pursue music?
I always wanted to live in a different country for a while. I knew English well already, and England was closer that USA, so that’s why I started looking in the UK. I googled Songwriting Schools and LIPA (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) caught my eye. I auditioned and got in – very simple
Combination is also your debut EP, so what emotions come with finally releasing this project?
It is very nerve-racking to release it, but also really exciting cause this is a project I have been working on for a while, and it’s nice to sum up this era of my music with this EP. I am extremely proud of myself.
‘Pressure On My Chest’ was picked up by BBC Introducing, so why do you think people connected to that song? And what’s the story behind it?
To be honest, this was a song that I didn’t think was gonna do that well, as the melodies are quite repetitive. I initially wrote it on the piano and as a fictional story between a couple breaking up, and didn’t think it had anything to do with my personal life. But afterwards I realised that I subconsciously had taken inspiration from my own life hahaha.
This is the most vague song lyrically and has been interpreted in many different ways – romantic break-up, self-discovery and suicide as well.
The production really supports the emotion, and I believe the song lives from the production. I created a demo for this and co-produced this, and had the most control over the production with this – it feels the most me, that might be a reason why people connect to it as well. I love the mix in the song as well, and my co-producer, David Marshall, and guitarist Max Holden gave the song the final touches it needed.
Back in your home country, it seems that ‘Anzeichen’ resonated a little more, so what makes this work for a Swiss audience?
I believe it’s just the lyrics that people connect with, as they can understand the language. Other than that, I am not quite sure why it has been perceived better in Switzerland.
Of all the songs, which one was the most challenging to write? And why?
I would say the most challenging but also most fun one to write was Hopes & Dreams. It was challenging to write as there are so many lyrics, and it took me a while to get the rhymes right and make the lyrics make sense. But I based it on a fictional story from the Hunger Games movie “Songbirds & Snakes” from the perspective of Lucy Gray Baird. I did take some own story elements in it, though as well, talking about following my Hopes & Dreams to make a living out of my music. The melody, however, came very easily.
The Toxic One went through quite a few lyrical versions as well, but the melody stayed the same
What else do you hope that listeners will take away from these songs?
I hope that musicians can take from it that it doesn’t matter how many different genres of music you create, and that it can all fit into the same project (EP). It was a big insecurity of mine that I didn’t know what genre of music I was making, as there are so many different ones. But I realised I can use this to my strength, by making something refreshing and new with every song. I hope that people will find at least one song that resonates with them and makes them feel understood, but also challenges them to look at things from a different perspective, especially with the song “The Toxic One”
Following the release of the EP, what will be next on the horizon for you?
I will start recording new songs for a second EP, with the first few songs coming out in the 2nd half of this year. I’m really excited for this 2nd EP, as all the songs come from one specific experience.
You can also find title-track ‘Combination’ in our Shades of Pop playlist.
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