Rhymes & Life aims to discover the soundtracks that provide a backdrop for professionals in the iGaming industry.
Claudia Heiling, COO at Golden Whale Productions, speaks to iGaming Expert about her life experiences with music, revealing which Metallica album still gives her goosebumps and why Leonard Cohen can do no wrong.
iGaming Expert: What was your first-ever gig, and what was it like?
Claudia Heiling: My teenage years were in the ’90s, and I was mainly into rock and punk back then. Skunk Anansie had just released their second album, Stoosh, an album I still know by heart to this day. I was super excited when I heard they were coming to Vienna. I got to see the concert with my sister, who was also a huge fan. The cherry on top: we managed to experience the gig from the front row!
iGX: What’s the best performance you have ever seen live, and why was it so good?
CH: One of the best and most moving performances I’ve ever experienced was seeing Leonard Cohen live in Lörrach, Germany, in the summer of 2008. Cohen had been part of my life since birth, as one of my father’s all-time favourite artists. From being rocked to sleep by “Suzanne” to learning vocabulary from Cohen’s lyrics, and finding comfort in his soulful songs during my teenage years, his music has always been there.
Seeing him live in an open-air concert at the city’s main square was a memory I’ll never forget.
iGX: Is there an artist who, in your eyes, can do no wrong? If so, why?
CH: For me, Leonard Cohen is an artist who can truly do no wrong. There’s something about the way he writes – quietly powerful and deeply human – that has always spoken to me. His lyrics often felt like having a direct conversation with him. Even when his voice cracked or his melodies were simple, it only made his work feel more honest.
I admire how he created something so timeless. His music has been a constant companion, and I keep coming back to it whenever I need something real.
iGX: What is your most cherished album, and what makes it so special to you?
CH: It’s nearly impossible to choose just one cherished album; there are too many that have meant something different to me at different times in life. Metallica’s The Black Album was my introduction to heavy music, and it still gives me goosebumps. Roxette’s Crash! Boom! Bang! was the soundtrack to many emotional moments in my teens.
Weezer’s Pinkerton was my companion when I spent six months abroad in the US as an exchange student. And Leonard Cohen’s Cohen Live still holds a very special place in my heart, with its special version with slightly adapted lyrics in the all-time classic “Hallelujah”. Each one has left a lasting memory I treasure.
iGX: What song always makes it to your gym playlist? What activities do you usually do in the gym while listening to it?
CH: One song that always makes it to my gym playlist is “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson. While it’s not specifically about lifting weights or training on gym machines, it definitely gets the job done for me, which means keeping me focused and pushing my limits.
Outside the gym, if I’m not listening to podcasts, my running playlists are full of upbeat pop from the ’80s to today. It makes running feel more like dancing the night away.
iGX: Which artist or song helps take your mind off work? Why have you chosen this artist and genre?
CH: When it comes to taking my mind off work, I often turn to something a little more laid-back and calming, like Norah Jones. Her soothing vocals and jazzy, mellow tunes help me unwind and disconnect from the stress of the day. I find that her music creates the perfect atmosphere for relaxation, whether I’m cleaning up, cooking, or just enjoying a rare quiet moment.
To me, her style blends jazz, soul, and pop in a way that feels effortless and timeless, which is exactly what I need to reset and recharge.
iGX: If you could go on a night out with any musician, who would it be, and where would you take them?
CH: If I could choose one artist to have dinner with, it would be Taylor Swift. Although I’m not a huge “Swiftie” myself, I admire how she has built a powerhouse brand while staying true to herself. I’d love to learn how she manages such a demanding career with grace, creativity and sharp strategy.
From mastering the music industry to owning her narrative, to me, she embodies resilience and reinvention. I’d be inspired to hear how she balances it all as an artist, entrepreneur, and icon in one.
