And we made it. I didn’t know that we would – so this is a great relief. Here we find ourselves meeting with our 6th of 6 bands who are headed to Torstraßen Festival – The/ Das. Not to play favourites, because I love all these bands equally, of course – but I think maybe I have the biggest soft spot for The/Das. I don’t know whether it has something to do with their almost matching but different chinos, or their softly disco vibe – but I’m getting around them, in a rather big way.

Let’s get onto old mates’ dot points, God only knows you are gagging for them.

– The group is made up of 2 of the 3 members of Bodi Bill

– Seems there was no bad blood among the group – The/Das is just two mates who had a simple dream – to make disco music together (I say disco pretty lightly – it’s more an electronic vibe)

– They have pretty solid Deutsch sounding names (in my mind): Fabian and Anton. Possibly they aren’t Deutschers at all – but don’t you hope they are? And that they say things like “ze Band likes Schocolade!”

– The/Das have released 2 EP’s to date… The first being their Fresh Water EP – and the second? Speak Your Mind Speak.

When The/Das aren’t bro’ing out with each other about life and/ or music they are probably looking for really ideal fitting chinos in a variety of colours, trying to make a secret handshake that is easy for them to remember, yet hard enough for others not to replicate and casually discussing the wide variety of choice and their specific preference of bottled water at the supermarket – because that’s a thing Germans really care about.

This year The/ Das are playing Torstraßen Festival – so I threw a handful of questions at them. For those that don’t know me, let’s be perfectly clear – I don’t ask hard hitting questions about music.. This is mainly because (technically) I don’t know the first thing about it. I like what I like – and then wonder…. “Do you reckon these guys have an opinion on Karl Lagerfeld or Harald Glööckler – I hope so, as I’d love to know more about this Glööckler character.”

So without any further carry on – let’s meet The/Das, the sixth of 6 in what we lovingly call “Lucy vs. Torstraße”.

Hit it.

If you could meet any Berliner ever to have graced this fair city, who would you meet/ why?

The/Das: Alexander von Humboldt could be a great uncle… Telling stories about the Amazon and trying to explain everything in lengthy monologues…

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?… reason?
The/Das: I’d go for marble: Why not? Could be cool!

You are an area of Berlin, what are you – why? – I’m everywhere outside the ring-bahn – mostly because I’m trashy, and people secretly like it.
The/Das: I think I’d want to be the area around Teufelssee near Müggelheim in south east Berlin. Lots of rocks, funny insects (those who walk on water for instance) and lots of different trees.

You are stuck on a deserted island, you have all that boring stuff that unimaginative people think of (water, food, shelter etc.) – what are you bringing to isolation?
The/Das: My laptop so I can check Facebook and organize stuff

Would you prefer to battle 100 duck sized horses, or 1 horse sized duck? – Discuss.
The/Das: The longer I discuss this with myself, the more I realize, that I wouldn’t want to battle animal, especially not a species this special.

You are from Berlin, where do I meet dudes?
The/Das: I think people like to meet in cafés and bars.

Karl Lagerfeld or Harald Glööckler – discuss, because I honestly know nothing about this Harald character.
The/Das: Honestly I don’t give a damn about this stuff. Feels like mind pollution to even start thinking about it. Don’t think about it, please. (But I can’t help ittt! – Lucy)

If you were a movie from the 90’s what are you?
The/Das: If I can’t be E.T. or Yojimbo than I might as well be Forrest Gump.

Tell us something you deem relevant.
The/Das: Time is valuable, but way to often kind of irrelevant… also, I watched this FEIST concert on ARTE last night… It was a show they did together with LA BLOGOTHÉQUE, so it covered a big range from acoustic to amplified band setup, and walking from one floor to another while performing the song asf. Sure they have lovely singing voices and know how to play their instruments in style, but what’s really great about this recording, is the big contrast between very quite, intimate and very loud and eruptive moments…

So much fun to listen to such an exquisite recording of joy and musicality, while most of the time music is being performed under such mediocre circumstances, that one can hardly hear more than the machines the music is amplified with… I think, this FEIST show really represents a modern way of showing what sound can be like… It’s lively and soulful and not too cheesy but still very ear-soothing… and what is best you can hear people breathing and shuffling their feet and it’s totally part of the music itself, because like this noise is soo fucking awesome…

 

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«Lucy vs. Torstraße» is blogger Lucy Jasper a.k.a. «Lucy vs. the Globe» talking to artists performing at #TSF13. All interviews are co-published on her blog: www.lucyvstheglobe.com

Y’all ready for this, pyow pyow pyow. Here we find ourselves at Round 5 of our Lucy vs. Torstraße series – with only 2 final acts to go, August 31st is just around the corner. Today we are meeting Millennium. Don’t be fooled by their corporate vibe – they really just like a crisp suit and clever bit of business branding.

Let’s get to the dot points, I know you are holding out for them.

– Millennium give you 3 free tracks through their “Start-Up-Kit” – which is wicked, because who doesn’t like free music.

– Old mates have the best website going around, it somehow elicits nostalgia and a sense of daggy-cool – which to be honest doesn’t often go hand in hand.

– This group have real names, like Norman and Ville.. Ok – yes Ville is less usual to me (as an Australian) – but it’s pretty rad/ can you call a femme Ville?

– Earlier this year their Terms and Conditions EP was released on Greco-Roman, which is an ideal result.

When Millennium isn’t wearing a suit and tie, or doing business around a PC they are probably trying to not spill coffee on themselves while walking, working out syncronised dance steps to Ciara’s One, Two Step or simply planning road trips around really obscure holiday destinations, because I feel like that’s a pretty German thing to do.

This year Millennium is playing Torstraßen Festival – so I threw a handful of questions at them. For those that don’t know me, let’s be perfectly clear – I don’t ask hard hitting questions about music.. This is mainly because (technically) I don’t know the first thing about it. I like what I like – and then wonder…. “Which item from IKEA do you reckon these guy identify most with? I think I’m meatballs, obviously because they are everyone’s favourite”

So without any further carry on – let’s meet Millennium, the fifth of 6 in what we lovingly call “Lucy vs. Torstraße”.

Hit it.

You are from Berlin, where do I meet dudes?
Millennium: A lot of nice dudes roam around certain streets in Schöneberg. Another tip is the Lab.oratory club in the Berghain complex.

Who is your spirit animal? I think this is mine.
M: It’s Aibo, obviously.

If you were a band/ artist from the early 00′s who would you be you?
Ville: Were almost old enough to find that question slightly insulting. :)
Norman: Haha, yes. We are soooo old that we had our own bands in the early 00′s. Scary, huh?

You are stuck on a deserted island, you have all that boring stuff that unimaginative people think of (water, food, shelter etc.) – what are you bringing to isolation?
M: Wi-Fi.

If you could meet any Berliner ever to have graced this fair city, who would you meet/ why?
M: Not sure. There are too many to pick one.

You are an item from IKEA, what are you, why? I’m meat balls, because they are everyone’s favourite.
M: Törbjörn Swivel Chair

It’s 1993 – what CD is in your CD player? Mine is Salt n’ Pepa.
Ville: Age of Love – The Age of Love
Norman: Björk – Debut

You are an area of Berlin, what are you – why? – I’m everywhere outside the ring-bahn – mostly because I’m trashy, and people secretly like it.
M: We are the new airport. Full of ambition but deliberately dysfunctional.

What’s your dirty little musical secret?
M: We barely rehearse.

Tell us something you deem relevant.
M: Relevance is relative. (wise guy answer)

 

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«Lucy vs. Torstraße» is blogger Lucy Jasper a.k.a. «Lucy vs. the Globe» talking to artists performing at #TSF13. All interviews are co-published on her blog: www.lucyvstheglobe.com
Photo by Adrian Parvulescu.

Round 4 of our Lucy vs. Torstraße series – it’s almost over, HANG IN THERE! Today we are meeting Phia. HI PHIA! I just about die looking at this photo of old mate. It perfectly captures how I feel during the warmer months around the canals. Dreamy, pretty, magical and just fabulously content. It’s probably not a bad way to describe Phia’s musical style also. So – let’s get to the dot points, I know you are holding out for them.

– Phia is Australian – notes for alles: this is where all good femmes come from, remember this… Always.

– She plays a funny little instrument which is called a Kalimba.. This is like a thumb piano – possible the most obscure instrument I have ever encountered.

– The Kalimba she plays adds to this dreamy, magical sound homegirl has going on.

– She has done some sessions for Berlin Sessions – which gives you a really great taste of what should be expected.

– Phia has what I would say is a nice Australian accent, unlike my own..(!)

When old mate isn’t doing impromptu performances along the canals of Neukölln she is probably trying to master how to say “nicht” (this is really hard), styling her fringe to perfection or simply throwing a shrimp on the barbie, because that is exactly what Australians do in their spare time, always.

This year Phia is playing Torstraßen Festival – so I threw a handful of questions at her. For those that don’t know me, let’s be perfectly clear – I don’t ask hard hitting questions about music.. This is mainly because (technically) I don’t know the first thing about it. I like what I like – and then wonder…. “Who do you reckon their spirit animal is? I’m pretty sure mine is this flamingo.”

So without any further carry on – let’s meet Phia, the fourth of 6 in what we lovingly call “Lucy vs. Torstraße”.

Hit it.

You are an area of Berlin, what are you – why? – I’m everywhere outside the ring-bahn – mostly because I’m trashy, and people secretly like it.
I am inner Neukölln – close to the action but far out enough to escape it when necessary.

If you could meet any Berliner ever to have graced this fair city, who would you meet/ why?
My family who lived here pre-WWII. I would have loved to have seen Berlin then, when my grandfather lived here as a child. I have a feeling I would recognise very little of the city he lived in.

You are in Berlin, where do I meet dudes?
The local späti on Weserstraße always seems to be overflowing with guys on the weekend. As in you can literally fall over them sitting on the street outside. But I’m not sure I’d recommend it!

You can only drink water and one other drink for the REST OF YOUR LIFE. What’s the other drink?
Juice or milk. I’m a simple girl at heart! Those two drinks are just so satisfying, you know?

What is the last thing you ate?
A burger at the gig I played this afternoon. And it was pretty good!

Would you prefer to battle 100 duck sized horses, or 1 horse sized duck? – Discuss.
That is quite an image. I guess 100 duck sized horses because they would actually be super cute. They wouldn’t want to battle, they would want to play. A horse sized duck is a pretty terrifying prospect actually. The size of the beak!

It’s a Sunday in Berlin, what are you doing? – because you definitely aren’t doing the food shopping.
Oh man I still get caught out sometimes by that. A leisurely brunch or hanging in the park with friends is what I like to do on Sundays, but often it’s another day of work, good or bad, sometimes rehearsing or recording, or emails. Weekends can seem a bit meaningless when you don’t have a 9-5 job. But I’m trying to change that! There is definitely always a sleep in as Saturday night is either a gig or going out. So there’s that.

Who is your spirit animal? I think mine might be this flamingo.
Maybe this little guy. I do love a good cuddle.

What’s your dirty little musical secret?
I have a penchant for hip-hop, like Snoop Dogg. He’s so great. There is so much misogyny in that genre of music though, so I feel a little bit of guilt about it. But the beats just feel so good.

Tell us something you deem relevant.
You can download a FREE song here. BAM.

 

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«Lucy vs. Torstraße» is blogger Lucy Jasper a.k.a. «Lucy vs. the Globe» talking to artists performing at #TSF13. All interviews are co-published on her blog: www.lucyvstheglobe.com
Photo by  Zoë Noble.

OK-OK-OK so we are half way through with our Berlin based acts to watch for this years Torstraßen Festival, so let’s intro Dinner. Hallo, Dinner. You are all probably less moronic than I am – but I do get a sick thrill out of a performer called Dinner – so many double entendre, would likely be more fun if he was actually called Breakfast – but I digress. Here are our must knows, in bullets – just how we like them!

– Dinner is from Denmark.

– But sounds like the rock star parts of LA.

– I’m pretty sure all of Dinner’s songs are about femmes – this is a positive for all the femmes out there.

–You can buy Dinner’s face on a mug. Which is kind of genius, but to be honest – I would like the plate set (as well).

– Dinner and CTM are mates – she has drunk out of his head.

When old mate isn’t singing deeply into a microphone he is probably trying to figure out a clever way to incorporate the Macarena into his live show, looking for the perfect white t-shirt to wear with jeans or being effortlessly cool, because aren’t all Danish people cool by default?

This year Dinner is playing Torstraßen Festival – so I threw a handful of questions at him. For those that don’t know me, let’s be perfectly clear – I don’t ask hard hitting questions about music.. This is mainly because (technically) I don’t know the first thing about it. I like what I like – and then wonder…. “What do you reckon that artist is doing on a Sunday – because they for sure aren’t at Kaufland doing the food shopping.”

So without any further carry on – let’s meet Dinner, the third of 6 in what we lovingly call “Lucy vs. Torstraße”.

Hit it.

If you could meet any Berliner ever to have graced this fair city, who would you meet/ why?
Rudolf Steiner. Why, you ask? I’d like to talk to him about magic and how to grow vegetables.

It’s 1995 – what CD is in your CD player? Mine is Marey Carey, Dreamlover.
Breeders – The Last Splash. Or Iron Maiden.

It’s the year 2040 – what do you hope we are still doing? My hope is that Twerking is still a thing… And I know how to do it.
I don’t know? And I don’t know what Twerking is either. (Mate…. Twerking – Lucy)

You are an area of Berlin, what are you – why? – I’m everywhere outside the ring-bahn – mostly because I’m trashy, and people secretly like it.
I am the statue in Treptower Park. An enormous, menacing presence full of beautiful light and kitchy, semi-religous content on the inside.

It’s a Sunday in Berlin, what are you doing? – because you definitely aren’t doing the food shopping.
Yeah, that sucks. My fridge is always empty on Sundays.
My Sundays in Berlin:

Sometimes I do 8 hours of scrying, straight. I lost my crystal ball during my last trip to Lichtenstein, so now i stare into a mirror instead, like Brian Gysin did in his Paris hotel room with Burroughs. Sometimes it’s boring. Sometimes there are interesting shadows lurking around with a story for you.

What’s your dirty little musical secret?
I actually listened to the Chili Peppers whilst reading Anthony Kiedis’ ‘Scar Tissue’. And… I somewhat liked their first demo. And I really like Under the Bridge. It almost made me cry that song, the other day.

You are from Berlin, where do I meet dudes here?
I’m not really from Berlin, I wouldn’t know. But you’re welcome at my place for a cup of tea anytime, Lucy. I’m a dude.

If one song could be the theme song to your life, what would it be?
Vertical Thoughts 5 by Morton Feldman in rapid succession with I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred

Would you prefer to battle 100 duck sized horses, or 1 horse sized duck? – Discuss.
1 horse sized duck. I would whisper into its ears (or the duck equivalent of ears) jump up on its back, and ride off into the sunset.
Duck whisperer.

Tell us something you deem relevant.
Everyday is a good day. To quote John Cage’s credo.

 

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«Lucy vs. Torstraße» is blogger Lucy Jasper a.k.a. «Lucy vs. the Globe» talking to artists performing at #TSF13. All interviews are co-published on her blog: www.lucyvstheglobe.com

Round two of our Berlin based acts to watch for this years Torstraßen Festival is 케이프 (Cape). Maybe I’m an idiot (I most definitely am) – but doesn’t their name just make you want to jump a plane to some bustling Asian flavoured city, and never come back? I’m voting on Seoul. But I digress – here a few things you need to know about the duo based in Berlin.

– Old mates are the would-be result if Grimes and K-Pop (yes the entire genre) were to procreate.

– They openly follow two rules in music:

1# Form Follows Function – making music like building houses: take a component away, the building collapses.

2# Learn From the Old Masters – influences range from italo disco, eurodance and k-pop to lo-fi and ambient. God bless the Internet, and everything you can find there.

– They don’t have a Facebook (or at the very least, I cannot locate it).

When these delicious creatures aren’t trolling the www. for new sounds they are probably learning the dance moves to Hyuna’s Bubble Pop, chewing chewing gum or simply drinking instant coffee, as there is something about the taste of not real (but real) coffee that reminds them of their youth, probably.

This year 케이프 (Cape) are playing Torstraßen Festival – so I threw a handful of questions at them. For those that don’t know me, let’s be perfectly clear – I don’t ask hard hitting questions about music.. This is mainly because (technically) I don’t know the first thing about it. I like what I like – and then wonder…. “What do you reckon that artist still hopes we are doing in 2040? I hope Twerking is still a thing, and I can do it.”

So without any further carry on – let’s meet 케이프 (Cape), the second of 6 in what we lovingly call “Lucy vs. Torstraße.” Hit it.

L: You are an area of Berlin, what are you – why? – I’m everywhere outside the ring-bahn – mostly because I’m trashy, and people secretly like it.
C: definitely the one with the most exciting geometrical shape.

L: You can only drink water and one other drink for the REST OF YOUR LIFE? What’s the other drink?
C: Orxata, the elixir of the gods.

L: If you were a traditional German meal – what are you, why?
C: yuk German food … yuk Germany!

L: If you could be any moment in history, what would you be – and why?
C: when Ryan Gosling looked into our eyes and we understood everything (but this is a vision from the future)

L: You are from Berlin, where do I meet dudes?
C: We don’t meet dudes.

L: If you could bring any item of clothing back with you from the 90’s – what are you representing?
C: Will Smith’s shorts! so fresh, so princely, and so Bel-Air

L: If you could meet any Berliner ever to have graced this fair city, who would you meet/ why?
C: Def. Max and Stine of Easter – they know where to get good food!

L: It’s the year 2040 – what do you hope we are still doing? I hope that Twerking is still a thing, and I can do it.
C: This pizza tastes funny

L: It’s a Sunday in Berlin, what are you doing? – because you definitely aren’t doing the food shopping.
C: Feeling hungry because we didn’t do the food shopping on Saturday

L: Tell us something you deem relevant.
C: <3 http://actuallygrimes.tumblr.com/post/48744769552/i-dont-want-to-have-to-compromise-my-morals-in-order

 

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«Lucy vs. Torstraße» is blogger Lucy Jasper a.k.a. «Lucy vs. the Globe» talking to artists performing at #TSF13. All interviews are co-published on her blog: www.lucyvstheglobe.com

Photo by Matthias Heiderich.

So we are starting off with quite the punch – everyone meet Thomas Azier. Perhaps I’ve had my head stuck in a hole for like God knows how long, but this is my first run in with old mate – and what a run in it seems to have been. Here are some hard and fast facts about Thomas for all of you – because let’s not eff about.

Thomas Azier….

1. Released 2 EP’s in 2012: “Hylas 001„ and “Hylas 002„
2. Wrote and produced both of those 2 EP’s entirely, with a little help from Robin Hunt as co-producer/ sound designer.
3. Toured with Woodkid.
4. Is based in Berlin, but is actually from the Netherlands
5. Has over 8000 fans on Facebook.
6. Is only 24 – do you feel like a failure yet?

I imagine that when T.A. isn’t producing electronic deliciousness and making me feel shit about my life achievements to date, he is wearing effortlessly cool sunglasses, listening in on strangers conversations and pretending not to love techno, when he probably really does as he is Dutch and that is just science.

This year old mate is playing Torstraßen Festival – so I threw a handful of questions at him. For those that don’t know me – let’s be perfectly clear – I don’t ask hard hitting questions about music.. This is mainly because (technically) I don’t know the first thing about it. I like what I like – and then wonder…. “Do you reckon that artist would prefer to battle 100 duck sized horses, or 1 horse sized duck?”

So without any further carry on – let’s meet Thomas Azier, the first of 5 in what we lovingly call “Lucy vs. Torstraße.” Hit it.

L: You are an area of Berlin, what are you – why? – I’m everywhere outside the ring-bahn – mostly because I’m trashy, and people secretly like it.
TA: I’m Lichtenberg. Upcoming, but not everyone sees it yet.

L: What is the theme song to your life?
TA: Bump ‘n Grind – R. Kelly

L: If you were a tropical fruit what would you be, why?
TA: Hard question. I like bananas. Is that tropical enough for you? (Yes -Lucy)

L: If you could meet any Berliner ever to have graced this fair city, who would you meet/ why?
TA: I don’t know many born Berliner. But I would’ve loved to have a iced latte with Nabokov when he was here.

L: It’s 1995 – what CD is in your CD player? Mine is Marey Carey, Dreamlover.
TA: Brown Sugar – D’angelo

L: If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?… reason?
TA: There’s this one restaurant that’s really good on Brunnenstr. 164 (Chay Viet it’s called, I think). It looks like an average Vietnamese restaurant, but it’s far from that. They only serve special veggie dishes, cooked by old Vietnamese Buddhist ladies.

L: Would you prefer to battle 100 duck sized horses, or 1 horse sized duck? – Discuss.
TA: –

L: It’s the year 2040 – what do you hope we are still doing? I hope that Twerking is still a thing, and I can do it.
TA: I hope I’m still alive and windows97 is still there

L: You are from Berlin, where do I meet dudes?
TA: Try the oriental gay party in Oranienstrasse.

L: Tell us something you deem relevant.
TA: Can you maybe ask me at least one question about music?

 

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«Lucy vs. Torstraße» is blogger Lucy Jasper a.k.a. «Lucy vs. the Globe» talking to artists performing at #TSF13. All interviews are co-published on her blog: www.lucyvstheglobe.com