INSIDES: KŒNIG

Hello, how are you?

Ok but sometimes it’s really hard. Having no money (-support from the Austrian government) and no perspective of future life with our job, but a family to feed and coordinate is sad. It somehow pushes one to the edge constantly, so it’s important to breathe and think “a little bit more”

Where are you right now?

In my storage room. I can’t play drums here, but I can play with contact microphones and synthesizers (with headphones)

Which sounds surround you?

In these times it’s a mix of my kid laughing/crying and the sounds of video edits and my own sounds improvising and experimenting with synthesizers/cymbals/drums

Have you been productive so far? What are you working on?

Yes. I was trying to organize a lot for my upcoming solo release (videos, coordinating, deciding and so on), co-producing/co-mixing new KoenigRiegler release and a video sum-up of Mopcut gigs before the lockdown in video form.

That’s one of the videos for my upcoming release

That’s what I do in the storage room

The day before the quarantine started for me, we played that gig in Paris

What inspires you right now?

Not so much actually. Social Media is getting too much for me somehow. I have a little time to play with some old synthesizers these days. They inspire me the most somehow. Artist wise I’m into these people lately: JD Beck, Rojin Sharafi, Elvin Brandhi, Charmaine Lee, Chris Pitsiokos,Sam Weinberg, Henry Fraser, Luke Stewart, Otomo and other crazy old folks too… And sadly I listened to all the music of people who died due to Covid.

Reading material you can recommend?

In the hardcore quarantine times we woke up with our baby boy at 5:30 and went to bed around 8. There was a window of 2 hours at noon to work anything during his nap-time But no time for entertainment somehow due to tiredness.

To listen?

Zebra Katz’ album release is the only thing that I really caught and I loved it.

What’s your opinion on live-streams? You see any alternative ways to support the music community?

I think to make them is more fun than watching, but it’s great to play and it makes sense to earn something, if it works. I haven’t played from my studio/living room, but only at clubs via live-stream. I’m gonna do the same for my release on June 3rd but try to make it special with some different ideas about streaming. Let’s see how it works.

What are you missing most?

Not giving a fuck about what I touch or how could I possibly get this fucking virus. And meeting people and playing music. In a rehearsal room-club-festival…

What are you scared of?

I’m scared of the virus (with more waves and shutdowns) going on for another 1-2 years and artists not getting supported by fundings and governments.

What will change you think?

I hope some of the political asshole figures of the world are dying from covid. Maybe then a real change could happen. But realistically thinking, things will go back to normal stupidity soon after it’s over.

What is the gig or occasion you were most looking for, that was cancelled in this period?

Mopcut Canada Tour
A Duo gig with Leo Riegler in Norway
My whole solo release + shows
Some crazy big ass festivals with Bilderbuch

Are you still able to pay your rent?

Fortunately our landlord asked us if we could afford as well. We said “actually not” and she was so generous to cancel the rent for the next 3 moths. Otherwise no I couldn’t. I’m not scared of going into minus and that’s a bit scary for me in these times.