Korean Math Rock in Zürich? Spend a very special moment with cotoba!

Dafne: Hello, I’m Dafne. I play guitar and write songs for cotoba.

DyoN: Hi, I’m DyoN Joo, guitar and vocals. I have a acquaintance that lives in Switzerland. After I went paragliding in Interlaken, I fainted from altitude sickness at Jungfraujoch and received a bottle of cola from the rescue team. I also love Swiss chocolate.

Hyerim: Hello! I’m Hyerim, the bassist of cotoba

The name cotoba is intriguing, as it relates to the idea of “words” or “language” in Japanese: what does this concept mean to you in the context of your music? And what is your link with Japan?

Dafne: For me, music is a language to express what words can’t capture. Growing up, I found it difficult to express my feelings to others. Japanese animation and music became a place of freedom for me, and that influence has stayed with me until today.

DyoN: I grew up listening to a lot of Japanese music. I even studied Japanese because I wanted to understand the lyrics directly. To me, language is a bridge between people. In the same way, cotoba’s music is our own “language” that connects us with listeners.

Hyerim: Honestly… I’m an otaku.

Could you share with us the story of the band and what has kept you united through the different changes in your line-up?

Dafne: A shared determination to create something meaningful, and similarities in our personalities.

DyoN: Our sense of humor keeps us together.

Hyerim: And the fact that we all love cats.

How would you introduce cotoba and the musical universe you have created?

Dafne: I often ask: What is the meaning of all this? Even if there is none, the fact remains—you and I are alive.

Your sound is often labeled as math/post rock, a genre that is not widely known in Europe. How do you define math rock, why using this style of music to develop your universe? and in what ways does cotoba bring its own voice to it?

Dafne: I found the concept interesting. Beat alterations are a kind of lack/void, and I found myself emotionally immersed in it.

DyoN: Math rock is about unpredictable structures and odd meters. It’s perfect for expressing complicated emotions that don’t fit inside neat boxes. For us, it reflects the strange and difficult feelings we live with.

Hyerim: From the moment I first picked up an instrument, I wanted to make “weird music.” With cotoba, I get to do exactly that. Our color is both rational, like math rock, and emotional at the same time.

Which artists or musical traditions have had the greatest influence on your compositions, both within Korea and internationally? (Individual answer)

Dafne : Radiohead, toe, tricot, Kinokoteikoku, Hitohira, Susquatch etc

DyoN: In Korea, EVE; in Japan, Cocco; in the U.S., Paramore. All three express sorrow in ways that resonate with me. Their melodies and harmonic progressions echo in my own writing.

Hyerim : LIFE & TIME (korean band)

Your songs are known for their technical precision but also for their emotional depth. How do you balance mathematical complexity with human feeling when writing music?

Dafne: By seeking balance. I make sure each part has its place, and that nothing leans too far in one direction. The standard is deeply personal.

You have already performed in various countries across Asia, America and Europe. What differences do you notice in the way audiences connect with your performances in different cultural contexts?

Dafne: The responses differ greatly depending on country and culture. My own way of expressing myself, however, doesn’t change much. Performing in different places reflects different parts of myself.

DyoN: Every culture has its own sense of personal space and ways of approaching others. Some audiences watch from a respectful distance, others greet you with a hug right away. That dynamic exists between stage and audience too, and I find it fascinating. But no matter what, by the end of the show, everyone’s eyes are shining—it’s the most beautiful sight.

Hyerim: I don’t think of them as “differences.” Whatever the style of response, it has always felt sincere. I’m just grateful every time.

As you prepare to perform here in Switzerland, what kind of atmosphere or emotions do you hope to create for the audience during your upcoming concert?

Dafne: Passionate, yet calm.

DyoN : I’d like people to feel: “I don’t know exactly what they’re saying, but I understand what they mean—and I’ve felt that inside me too.”

Hyerim: A mix of peace and unrest… anxiety, but also release.

Any Swiss experience or anecdote you would like to share with our followers?

Dafne: On our last tour, there was an orchard near the venue. It was fun, and the freshly baked pizza at the venue was delicious.

DyoN: When I traveled alone in Europe, I almost missed my train near Montreux. I ran full speed with my suitcase and leapt through the doors just as they closed. Maybe that’s why I dream of performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival one day.

Hyerim: Two years ago I visited the Lindt chocolate museum in Switzerland and bought hot chocolate and crème brûlée flavored chocolates. They were amazing!

Have you been surprised by Swiss audience? or any specific fan? (stories are welcome if you have)

DyoN: I loved how freely everyone expressed themselves—moving, dancing, enjoying in their own way. The Swiss felt calm yet warm, soft but strong. If I had to describe it… like a piece of tofu, carefully cut with a sharp knife, placed on a favorite plate, sitting by the window while sunlight falls gently over it.  🙂

Looking ahead, what are your artistic ambitions and what direction do you envision for cotoba over the coming years?

Dafne: To keep it fun above all else. I also want to preserve the raw, original band sound without too many digital devices

DyoN: I hope more people will discover us and think, “This is the music I’ve been searching for.” At the same time, I want to keep making songs that our longtime fans will love and feel proud of. For me, it’s about always reflecting deeply and striving to grow.

Hyerim: That we stay healthy and keep enjoying the journey together!