Julia Kocis is the drummer of the Rock and, The Different Class, who have recently released their new album “Skins”. We had the lovely opportunity to chat with Julia and talk about her band, their new album, and her thoughts on many other things. Here’s our interview with Julia Kocis. Don’t forget to check out the album “Skins”.
Hello, Julia. It’s really wonderful to talk with you. How are you doing today?
Hello FemMetal! Thank you for having me over! I just came back from rehearsals with The Different Class, we’re grinding hard for the album launch shows. But right now I’m enjoying a warm cup of coffee so you could say I’m doing quite well, thank you!
Lovely to hear! The Different Class have recently released “Skins”. How are you feeling about the way your fans reacted to this release?
We’ve had really good feedback for “Skins” and I think that’s because the album doesn’t limit itself to just one genre, so we reached a lot of people who loved it! Not only did we get a ton of love from our Romanian fans but we also heard really good things from abroad, especially for the album’s singles, “Ping Pong” and “Skins”.
How would you describe The Different Class music to our readers who haven’t got the chance to hear it yet?
The Different Class, I would say, is like a movie made for the main stage. Think of it as a show, rather than a band, a show that starts from rock and roll and seamlessly combines elements of industrial, electronica, indie, and pop. All these elements together create a whole cinematic experience.
As for “Skins”, the album has a dark, mysterious vibe and it speaks about love, lust, passions, sexuality, and madness.
In order to get to know you better, and to have some fun, also because I’m a nerd, how about we play a nerdy game? I will set up some alternative universes and give you a scenario and a question about it. Are you ready?
This is gonna be so cool! Hell yeah, I’m ready!
In a universe where you find yourself the queen of a kingdom, what would be the first legislation you’d make?
The funny thing is, ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a princess! But the good princess, not the evil one hihi. So the first legislation I would make would be mandatory free speech in the sense that everybody should be comfortable enough to speak their truth. I would listen to my people’s needs and do my best to put them into practice, within reason, of course.
That sounds great! In a universe where you can choose a superpower to possess, would you rather have the ability to teleport from one place to another, or the ability to read minds?
If I would have the actual ability to read minds, I think there would be chaos in my head and that would be too much. So I think I would prefer to have the ability to teleport anywhere. Could you imagine how many concerts I would be able to see all around the world? That’s insane! Also, we could teleport with the band to our shows so no more traffic.
That would be a great power indeed! In a universe where you’re the statue of liberty, what object would you be holding instead of a torch?
The only thing I would hold would be a drumstick flower bouquet hihi
How rich would you be considered in a universe where you pay for things you purchase by telling jokes?
I like to make fun of things, not people, and in a nice way or maybe sometimes in a sarcastic way. Not sure if I would make a lot of money but I could be able to get a coffee.
In a universe where the sense of taste and sense of hearing got somehow mixed up in the human body, what food would you imagine The Different Class music would taste like?
Hmmm, it would be oriental food. Sweet and Spicy.
In a universe where drummers are worshipped as goddesses and gods, what would your festival be like?
My festival would be like a carnival, like a magical circus. You would be bestowed upon magic abilities to conjure anything they’ve ever dreamed of for one day.
Thank you for playing along, Julia! Hope you enjoyed this!
Yes, this was fun! I’ve never had the opportunity to think about such things which were nice. It really was like a video game! Every interview should have a game part like this one.
Glad you loved it 😊 Do you remember the first time you performed in front of a live audience? How did it feel?
Yes, I was 14 when I had my first show and I had all the possible and impossible feelings that a teenager can go through all at once! You know, I felt just like the biggest rock star even though I was playing in a local bar. But this only happened at the end of the show haha
That’s a great feeling! Have you ever faced any kind of sexism in your professional or personal life? How would you deal with sexist behavior and what advice would you give young people around the world who face any kind of discrimination?
Unfortunately, yes, but this made me more powerful and better as a drummer so I wasn’t afraid to stand up for myself as a woman; I had my skills to back me up. Sometimes I wasn’t taken seriously as a drummer because I am a woman. Somewhere along the lines of “yeah, sure, how can you play the drums like the men when you’re a girl?” With time, I stopped paying attention to these remarks and I focused on me being the best for me, in my own universe and that’s what everybody should do.
Never let yourself be influenced by what others say or think about you and just do your thing. Look at it in a constructive way, if people talk about you it means they’re paying attention but don’t focus on that. Try to listen to your inner voice. In this situation, you have to think with your mind but never forget your soul. Get inspired by people who fell and got back up and learn from them, not from the ones that badmouth you. People who discriminate are not bad people, they just didn’t learn to heal yet. Just do you and remember that diamonds shine brighter under pressure!
There are always going to be ups and downs but never forget to learn from everything that happens to you and to become stronger with every passing moment.
Thank you for sharing this with us, Julia, and thank you for the interview. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you, again, for having me over! Make sure to follow The Different Class wherever you dwell on the Internet! Also, follow me too because I’ll be making some cool stuff further along the line. Thank you! ❤️
