Rauberhohle Interview: SXSW 2010

Berlin-based Krawalla Rauberhohle makes super-twee disco-pop dance party music. As sweet as this may sound, the observant will not miss the rebellious twists in her layers of petticoats. Bouncy, princess-pink, accompanied only by a boombox and a furry friend or two, the artist calls her live shows "puppet theater," but anyone can see that her unicorn has a horn and she's not afraid to use it.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Well, an Aussie might say it sounds like "dogs' breakfast"! It's all messy beeps and blurps and fleeps, Casio noises, field recordings and goofy sing-along children songs with bumper-sticker nonsense. It's a perfectly organized disco disaster uncaged from a kids' den.

How did your band form?

Rauberhohle actually isn't a real band. It's my solo project. I played in various bands before, and after a while I thought it would be fun to do everything by myself, since you don't need to compromise. I started with a small keyboard and learned how to record stuff with the computer. After a while, real songs came out. I did this for four years before I started to do live performances. I never knew how to bring this on stage, since I do it all by myself and I didn't want to be like a solo show pony, just with a mic and a playback. So I came up with the idea of explaining what I do onstage through a puppet theater. My friend is joining me on stage. She's a really good singer and dancer and great at carrying suitcases and driving cars. That comes in quite handy on tour.

What are your musical influences?
Sepultura, Cyndi Lauper, "Swing Kids," Emilie Simon, Pantera, Into Another, 2unlimite, Metallica.

How did you come up with your band name?

Rauberhohle is German and means "robber's cave" or "den." This is what you call an untidy kid's room. It's a place for robbers who need to hide from the police. Since I made my songs in my rauberhohle, it was obvious what to call this project.

What's your biggest vice?

To be the most boring person ever?! (laughs) No, kidding. I am straight edge and vegan for nearly 19 years now. I never took any drugs, expect coffee and lolly water, if you see it like that. I am drearily loyal. Bloody oath!

What's in your festival survival kit?

Vegan Leberwurst spreads and food and my "My Melody" pillow. Very important!

Who was your first celeb crush?

I think it was Donna Summer or Cyndi Lauper.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

I really like '90s happy hardcore. I pee my pants for Scooter lyrics.

Beatles or Stones?

The Who!

Atari Teenage Riot or Bis?

Bis, of course!

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

The very, very craziest was in Brussels. We had set up the stage, finished sound check and started setting up our merchandise, and one guy at the club saw our "F--- jihad!" badges and totally freaked out. He told the whole venue that we are very bad Zionists and "f---ing Jews." We managed to get our stuff inconspicuously from the stage and left before they could hit us and slit the car wheels. Real cranky pants!

Regarding your song 'Shake Yr Anus' -- how does one shake their anus, exactly?

Okay, shaking yr anus properly works like this -- ease the spinal column from top to bottom, so that the spinal column hangs downward like a pearl necklace. The chest becomes empty, the belly becomes full of poop, and now move that freckle. Move it! Imagine you are painting an eight on the floor with your tailbone. Change direction from time to time. The feeling of compactness adjusts itself. It's quite easy if you practice very hard.

If you were to headline a festival this summer, who would you want on the bill with you?

The Yo Gabba Gabba gang!