Pina Palau — Get A Dog

Pina Palau has always been fascinated by the stories behind people. This was evident in her initial pursuit of becoming a psychiatrist. But alongside her medical studies, she had another love: music. And music had different plans in store for her. The debut album «Illusion» saw remarkable success with its first single, «Jupi,» accumulating around a million streams on its own.

Soon, I was playing concerts all over Europe, including at the Montreux Jazz Festival and Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, and supporting great artists just as Courtney Barnett or Alex Lahey. Instead of sitting in a psychiatrist's chair, I found myself behind the wheel of a tour bus. Works for me!

Pina Palau

Yet, the Zurich based musician found time to record new music: In March 2024, her second album, «Get A Dog,» is set to be released. Just as the debut, it will be released by Mouthwatering Records (home to Black Sea Dahu, Odd Beholder, To Athena).

On the new record, the indie-folk artist continues her musical journey, being influenced by the likes Adrienne Lenker (Big Thief), Julia Jacklin, Courtney Barnett, and Phoebe Bridgers. Added to this mix is the imprint of music legends just as Joan Baez, Patti Smith, and Janis Joplin – names that form a musical family. Additional members of this musical family are the contributors to «Get A Dog»: Mario Hänni and Giuliano Sulzberger, as well as the newly joining Vojko Hutter and Konstantin Aebli as part of the core team. The latter two are also accompanying Pina Palau in live performances, complemented by Naiara Balmer on electric bass. Also featured on the album are Luzius Schuler, Gina Été, Alon Ben, and Paul Märki. The recording took place in Zurich, on the French border near Basel, and at Casa Tuena in Graubünden.

We finished the record at Casa Tuena, where we would dive into the ice-cold waters of Lake Poschiavo every morning, record in the wooden living room during the day, enjoy wine in the garden in the evenings, and marvel at the clear starlit sky. It’s been a dream.
Pina Palau

Lyrically, the songwriter presents herself as an observer of supposed trivialities, navigating between melancholy and dry humor. Some songs revolve around the aging process of formerly left-wing students, the liberation from an ex-partner or simply moving into a new flat and the associated challenges. Yet Pina Palau's passion for Los Angeles also shimmers through, whether she is portraying her great-aunt Marjorie or recounting the bleak reality of American family ideals.

Driven by a desire to understand unvarnished humanity - the motivations, emotions and stories that shape our lives - Pina Palau dissects the history of everyday life with the same enthusiasm that once drove her to her medical studies, where she studied neurons, inflammatory mediators and cardiovascular issues. It's as simple as that, isn't it?