Bodi Bill – “why should we chase the popular sound?”

Bodi Bill – “why should we chase the popular sound?” Main Image

Every now and then you listen to a band and their sound seemingly defines a particular time, in a particular city. The Sugarhill Gang sang from the streets of New York and The Libertines could only have been formed in the bowels of a dark London tavern. It’s the same thing I feel for the music being made by the members of Berlin-based threesome Bodi Bill, whose music fuses rhythmic techno and folk sensibilities which strongly evokes images of the ice-cool German capital. The band have been playing together as Bodi Bill since 2007 and after two critically acclaimed albums are now embarking upon some new and exciting projects. We got together with the guys to have a quick chat about the past, present and future for one of Berlin’s best kept secrets.

Many Japanese people may not know who you are, please introduce yourselves!

Bodi Bill is a trio consisting of Alex and Anton, who have a somewhat classical background, have been playing violin and piano since their early childhood and Fabian who has more of a classic electronica background. As a group we share a big interest in experimenting with sound as well as the idea of a pop song. Since we started mixing folk and techno in 2007 we are naive enough to think we could find our own niche in contemporary pop music.

What do you think sets you apart from other electronic-pop acts?

I think we like to ignore rules sometimes, though we might even know some of them… For instance we always try to sound like ourselves even if that means a bit crappy, creepy, crude for most ears. But why should we chase the popular sound? It’s much more fun to try to be ear-pleasing without sounding mainstream. Unfortunately, if you don’t work after a certain recipe the stuff you do might also come out a bit crappy sometimes. Also our live shows were always quite entertaining because of the mix of beats and synths with violins, vocals and guitars.

As there are so many musicians in Berlin, does this make the scene more difficult or easier to become established in?

We started too late to catch the big Berlin-wave of Kalkbrenner, Modeselektor and Apparat, but we were lucky enough to still establish our style in the last 3 years. Nobody liked us when we started but we played interesting live-shows so we survived and were able to keep on releasing records, and since we released our last record WHAT? last year, I think things are going quite great for us in the Berlin music scene today.

What are you currently working on?

We decided to give Bodi Bill a little rest. After 5 intense years of working as a trio it’s time to take a deep breath next year. Alex is working together with a great female singer on their new band called UNMAP. Anton and Fabi are going to release some stuff as The/Das next spring. Their first release however will be a collaboration Techno-Bomb with Tale Of Us in December.

What’s the one instrument or piece of equipment you couldn’t live without?

Anton: piano (there were times when I would have answered whit guitar, for it was so unfashionable to play the keys)
Alex: violin (used to be the piano as well)
Fabi: synthesizer (right now the Jupiter)

How have you changed since your debut album Two In One?

For “WHAT?” we decided to focus more on songwriting – so no more instrumentals or half-baked techno-tracks. We had to realise that our strength is to combine words with sounds, so we’ve been singing quite…. Also we improved our live-show big time… First of all we “casted” a fourth musician to add some liveliness to synth- and beats-playing on stage. Furthermore we worked out quite a funny set of visuals and costumes and props in collaboration with three very talented ladies and a visual-gentleman. So we went from being just the three of us on tour to travelling as a big family with eight members…

The/Das’ Freshwater EP with The Tale of Us is out now, as is their remix of Me and My Drummer on Sinnbus Records. Unmap are currently working on their debut album and we hope to see the band together as Bodi Bill in the near future for their third album!

Words: Mark Birtles

Translation: Iona Nagata

December 7, 2012