Some pearls of cosmic wisdom about eating pancakes and lyric sheets.
A key aspect of Frankie Cosmos’ proudly lo-fi musical magic is the combination of melancholy and childlike joy. It’s authentic stuff: simple, lovely and memorable, like a dream where everything seems to click. Here we talk to Greta Kline – the brains and heart behind the band.
What are you working on at the moment?
Music, always! And dioramas.
What would constitute a ‘perfect’ day for you?
Relaxing, eating pancakes, and playing Colorku with my mom (it’s like board-game-sized sudoku with colors instead of numbers).
For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
Friends and family!
Complete this sentence: “Ace mental health for me means…”
Oof, I don’t know yet.
What do you eat to stay healthy?
I try to drink a lot of water, and eat three meals a day. Sometimes I have fruits and vegetables. I try.
If you could wake up tomorrow with a new ability to aid your health what would it be?
Would love to have no allergies.
Do you have a daily routine of exercise or do you make it up as you go along?
I exercise maybe 20 times a year. Otherwise, the most exercise I get is probably from walking or performing.
Here at The Mind Map, we remember playing football and ‘tag’ – running around the playground every day and loving it – can you share a similar memory?
I used to play “football” (we call it soccer) as a little kid and my team was really bad. Basically, I would just sit in the middle of the field during a game and pick up rocks and stuff. But I had fun.
Do you think the egg and spoon race should be an Olympic sport as well as running for a bus?
Sounds good to me! Definitely running for a bus, the motivation is so much more than just regular running, so you go way faster.
Who was your best friend at school? What was the funniest thing they did?
Since sixth grade my best friend was Eliza. She taught me how to play guitar. One funny memory I have: the first time she wrote a song for our band, she didn’t wanna show it to me. I went to try and see the piece of paper she had written it on, and she instantly crumpled it up and put it in her mouth.
Pumps or trainers for PE?
Trainers, right? I don’t think I’ve ever even tried on pumps.
Name your top five best vegetables.
Brussels Sprouts, Asparagus, Broccoli, Radish, Corn.
Name your top five best fruits.
Avocado, Apple, Banana, Grapes, Pomegranate.
What three songs lift your spirits?
Trampoline by Kero Kero Bonito
I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
They Play by Iji
What is your favourite self-help book, or motivational quote?
Not a book, but a podcast called Ask Pomegranate. It’s so helpful. As for motivational quotes, for anyone trying to get inspired creatively I recommend reading Martha Graham’s letter to Agnes De Mille.
What advice do you offer to friends when they are feeling overwhelmed?
Write in a journal and sort through your feelings (or talk it out with someone you feel like you can say anything to).
@frankiecosmos