An Interview with Das Beat
Berlin duo Das Beat, features actress and vocalist Eddie Rabenberger and musician/member of Canadian act Blue Hawaii, Agor. The German-Canadian pair have made waves since the release of their New Wave/Italto Disco debut single “Bubble,” and there was plenty more to follow. Das Beat’s captivating essence and their mirrored approach to the esoteric nightlife of Berlin had us hooked. After becoming the newest signing to Montreal’s Arbutus Records, the pair released their debut EP “Identität.”
Tell us a little bit about the music scene within Berlin.
Agor: Getting involved in Berlin’s music scene is different than in other places because of the size and history of the clubbing and dance community here. Not everyone goes to clubs but it is the nightlife of the city. It’s not only lots of fun but it’s had a big influence on the music I’ve made over the years - even the more live or pop-based stuff. The attitude of the club and the way it happens in Berlin is inseparable from the feeling I get either when going out or making music.
Being separated between two different countries, how did the two of you meet and begin your journey as Das Beat?
Eddie: The story is kind of cute. We matched on Tinder but didn’t send any messages to each other. That night we saw each other at a party and it was a good excuse to talk to each other. I guess we got along well because two weeks later I was already planning on going with him to Vancouver and met his whole family, that was definitely crazy! Probably not the smartest thing, to go with a random guy to another country… and also maybe you should not try that at home ;) But luckily for me, this all worked out and this wonderful person after three years is no longer random stranger to me.
The lockdown was used to your benefit and is when a lot of Das Beat fell into place. How were you able to take a tense and chaotic time within the world and find ways to stay creative?
Eddie: Suddenly stopping university and work made for kind of an anxious time. Before we found an outlet, I didn't know where to put my energy and kinda ended up doing nothing. All the news freaked me out so I deleted all my social media. But luckily I got out of that phase of self-pity and found a way to express myself.
Eddie, you have a background as an actor, and Agor, a background in other musical ventures, such as Blue Hawaii. What are specific/key elements from your other projects that have helped shape Das Beat as a unit and in your own identities in your musical partnership?
Eddie: Acting has helped me a lot with singing. I wouldn’t say I am a professional singer but I like to fall into certain emotions or characters when I sing and that allows something totally new to come out. It also helps me to sing better somehow.
Agor: I’m able to be a little freer with how I compose music for Das Beat than if it was something for BH. Not that I’m not free there but just it being a new thing and having an identity of its own is really refreshing. I’d say I go in for more guitar or traditional sounding kind of instrumentals (though in the end, everything comes together with an electronic sleight of hand).
The visual aspect or aesthetic of the project is very distinctive and gives a nod to the music community you are a part of. Where do you look for your inspiration? Was the process of finding your niche something you spent a lot of time discovering or an aspect that fell into place with time? How has the artistic diversity within your circle contributed?
Eddie: I am still not quite sure what our niche is but I hope it finds itself. Inspiration is all around us - our friends in Berlin like Brutalismus 3000, Luis Ake, or Sean Nicholas Savage for example. Also, Instagram and the internet in general, to be honest I guess. I think you just get shaped and influenced by what you see around you. It was pretty amazing doing the videos with our friends we just had a great time doing it.
“Bubble” is a personal favourite of mine, from its sound to its plot. It’s the story of a sexual relationship; getting your partner out of their comfort bubble and telling them what you need in order to be happy. Is that aspect of being vulnerable, honest, and open, something that comes easy to either of you?
Eddie: It definitely doesn't come easy to me at all. I’ve always had my difficulties with having sex and it is a constant work on myself and my traumas. Everything starts with your love for yourself. But I do get more and more comfortable and Agor and I are always trying! And I guess that's all you can do sometimes. It is definitely a subject I am thinking about, that's also why I wrote the song. You have to look out for yourself but also you don't wanna hurt someone. But most importantly, it is that you try not to get hurt! So it is ok to push someone out of the bubble if you already left it. Communication is key and not always easy. If you wanna be happy, you have to pay the price.
Is the topic of sex-positivity something important to you?
Eddie: I think it definitely is important to talk more about sex, normalize it. Legalize sex work and empower people to talk about what they need. I think a lot of sexual abuse and violent pornography could be avoided that way. Also, I wish there wouldn't be such a mysticism around vagina genitalia in general.
“Identität” was a video and concept you worked on, on your own. How different of an experience was it to direct and produce your own music video compared to working with friends?
Agor: It’s important to give yourself the opportunity to do something all on your own. Then you can really appreciate how much work is involved for the experts in that field - also you can learn things along the way, and being an amateur can also yield some interesting results. I’ve made a few music videos before and this one could be my favourite. It just captures the vibe of the music and where we were living at the time and how we were feeling all so nicely. I guess like your identity and stuff is changing all the time and I love that we’ve preserved this blink of life in the video.
Your two newest singles “Ariadne” and “Jackie” are written from another person’s perspective. Is there any sort of headspace you like to get into in order to write on behalf and connect to foreign characters?
Eddie: When I read a story, it inspires me, or at least certain characters do. Then I have a tendency to have inner monologues or daydreams pretending to be that person. So instead of dreaming away in the shower, it is nice to write it down and use that as a start for some lyrics. I guess when I write from another person's perspective, it is in the end just me in a different shape and different circumstances after all. But I guess in general, in everything you produce, you will find a part of yourself.
When did Arbutus get involved and how has the process of working with them been?
Agor: We showed Sebastian our EP and he pretty much liked it from the start, even in its demo form, and wanted to release it. We were super happy because it allowed us to focus on the music and not worry about the backend.
Have you done anything to properly celebrate the release of the EP? Are gigs back up and running again in Germany? I read you’re DJing a fitness class in Toronto!
Agor: We like to celebrate with our friends when a track comes out. Hopefully the next round of songs we can celebrate with actual shows! We’re playing at a festival in Oldenburg, Germany on July 28th and in London, England on the 15th of October so catch us if you can!
Have you already started working on the next chapter of material?
Eddie: Yes! We have been making some cute songs and I am really excited to share. We still have to finish them and work on the format of how we will release them but it is gonna be real nice.