Vsitor’s music seamlessly moves between whisper-in-your-ear intimacy and super-nova-like magnitude. On the Berlin-based Swiss trio’s newest record ‘Keep On Running’ fragile guitar parts merge with the crackle of home-made electronics and warm beats thus building the base for a stunning female voice to take you into higher spheres.
FACTS:
1: Switzerland is ranked 21 on the Global Gender Gap Report. Women only received the right to vote in 1971.
2: But at least this was 21 years before the Catholic church officially acknowledged that the world isn’t flat and that it is orbiting around the sun, which happened in 1972.
3: A propos the church, the flute on Keep On Running is played by David’s dad and was recorded in an ancient abbey.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
I think it’s music itself. When I listen to a great album – new or old, it doesn’t matter – or when I find, it could be randomly, a new sound while working at my studio, tinkering around with my analog gear – this inspires me a lot and it gives me the energy for the whole week! I’m also inspired by other humans, nature and space. By movies, art and children! They just do things from some inner urge, without asking themselves why they do it, and without judging it. I like that.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
My parents were musicians as well, so I got into music really early on. There was a piano in the living room, which I played since I was maybe one? When I turned seven, I started to play the recorder flute. At ten I started playing with an Irish folk band, we were touring a lot in Switzerland, France and Ireland. I think I made more money when I was ten than I do now. (laughter) I spent everything that I had earned on an electric guitar, that was when I was fifteen, and that’s then my journey into indie rock /pop /electronic music began. Vsitor exists for five years now.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
Bulgarian State Television Female Vocal Choir – Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares
LOW – Double Negative
Matthew E. White – Big Inner
John Coltrane – A Love Supreme
Sparkle Horse – Radio Sessions (to be found on YouTube)
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
Fizzy creativity on every corner. Not judging creativity based on economic feasibility, like being asked, „can you live your art?“. In Switzerland that’s always the first people ask. ALWAYS! DEAR FELLOW HUMANS IN SWITZERLAND: DO I LOOK DEAD? I’M SITTING HERE ANSWERING A QUESTIONNAIRE SO THAT MEANS I’M ALIVE, RIGHT? PLEASE DON’T ASK ME AGAIN! THANK YOU. I love Berlin, more and more. After a few years you find your own space in it and the spaces that you love. And, of course, I also like the underground club scene a lot!
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
At the moment, it’s Sameheads in Neukölln. It’s right next to where I live.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
I guess I’d be a researcher, just not in music but maybe something related to aerospace engineering? When I was a child I wanted always to be a chimney sweeper. That also an option.
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
YRU Still Here? By Ceramic Dog (Marc Ribot)
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
With outstanding visual artists. Or with my sister. Or Greg Saunier of Deerhoof.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
I liked both of our latest Album/EP release shows a lot. Great venues, good people, a great party. I’m also reminded of playing in Budapest at A38, I think that was our biggest show so far.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
If you count vintage analog gear as technology then technology is one of Vsitor’s core elements. Otherwise, we just dropped our sketches into dropbox to exchange them. Other than that not so many new technologies are involved in our creative process.
11. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
I have one older brother and one older sister. I think they’re both proud of me, they both marvel at my persistence and confidence in what I do. My sister’s an actress, so she’s somehow in the same situation as me. We support each other a lot, we love each other a lot, and we each admire what what the other one does.
Vsitor’s debut LP ‘Keep On Running‘ is out now via Red Brick Chapel!
Photo © Vsitor
