with singer/guitarist Evelyn
It means everything to me. The album is the first full-length release of our band and also the first album I have ever recorded although I have been playing in bands since I was a teenager. I remember how I was sitting at home, writing all the guitar riffs and lyrics, and now we have turned them into songs and people around the world can listen to them, it’s incredible.
2. Why self-titled?
We have always referred to the record as ‘the album’. The band name ‘Passionless Pointless’ already tells a lot about our approach to music. All of the songs speak of great passion for both playing music and reflecting upon personal relationships, passionless = pointless.
3. Where was it recorded and who produced it?
We recorded the album with sound engineer Matti (El Atea) who I had already worked with and who I trusted, so I insisted on hiring him. He suggested recording at Moth Cellar Studios Berlin, a small private rehearsal space on a car repair site in East Berlin, that you can easily turn into a recording studio. The record is self-produced, meaning we had a very clear vision of what it should sound like. We wanted the album to sound raw, heavy and noisy and both early 90s old-school and modern at the same time.
4. One moment you will never forget during its recording?
Oh, the album was recorded within five days in August, the hottest days of the year. It was the first time we spent so much time together as a band, which was a lot of fun. We asked a friend to shoot some video footage to document the whole process. I think you can see how much fun recording an album and playing in a band can be when you’re watching our music video for ‘The Joy of Missing Out’.
5. Break it down:
The Joy of Missing Out
We chose ‘The Joy of Missing Out’ as the opening track because it throws you right into what we do. We play noisy punk rock with a grunge sound and an attitude. The message of ‘Joy’ is “Fuck what they think”. I wrote the song when I realized that I don’t need the approval of certain people in a certain scene. I think we should rather focus on building communities and support each other.
Great Art
‘Great Art’ is such a fun song to play, I love its energy and the dynamics. Riot Grrrl meets grunge music. I wrote it at a time when I was very upset about the status quo in arts and music and I was reading a lot of feminist underground literature.
Heavy Song
‘Heavy Song’ is dedicated to my friends who have suffered from depression. Talking about mental health is very important to me. It might not always be easy to support your friends in difficult times, and often frustrating, but asking what they need and just trying to be there is a good start.
Married Alive
This song we called ‘the doom song’ as a working title. I like the noisy character of it and its heaviness. It is about an abusive relationship and dealing with the consequences you’re facing even after you were able to escape it. The title was actually inspired by The Simpsons. In one episode, Marge is reading a book called ‘Married Alive, A Wife-Saving Guide’. You know, holding on to your sense of humor can see you through difficult times.
Surviving My Sobriety
Have you ever stopped drinking alcohol for an extended period of time? The things you realize then might notalways be so pleasant…
When I Was Straight
Our bassist Kate wrote this one. Can you believe she wrote it on her bass? It’s one of my favorite songs on thealbum. A classic piece of uplifting, upbeat punk rock. Or queercore? The song starts off very tongue-in-cheek (“When I was straight / No one told me it was just a phase”) and the chorus sounds like satire, but then it gets more serious in the last verse. The song leaves you thinking about the privilege you have.
Cross Em Out
‘Cross Em Out’ is a song about walking away from people who don’t care about you. It’s about the moment you’re telling yourself, “No, not anymore” and move on. Then, looking back, everything that seemed important once looks ridiculous with a different mindset.
Another Dinner Ruined
The title and also the lyrics were inspired by the essay ‘Feminist Killjoys’, by Sara Ahmed, feminist writer and independent scholar. It describes the killjoy moment that you may know. A relative’s birthday or a gathering with old friends you haven’t seen in a while, all very nice until someone says something problematic and everyone joins in and agrees. You seem like the only person seeing the problem and now you decide to point it out – “another dinner, ruined”.
5. What's the best way to support your band?
Tell all your friends we exist.
This song we called ‘the doom song’ as a working title. I like the noisy character of it and its heaviness. It is about an abusive relationship and dealing with the consequences you’re facing even after you were able to escape it. The title was actually inspired by The Simpsons. In one episode, Marge is reading a book called ‘Married Alive, A Wife-Saving Guide’. You know, holding on to your sense of humor can see you through difficult times.
Surviving My Sobriety
Have you ever stopped drinking alcohol for an extended period of time? The things you realize then might notalways be so pleasant…
When I Was Straight
Our bassist Kate wrote this one. Can you believe she wrote it on her bass? It’s one of my favorite songs on thealbum. A classic piece of uplifting, upbeat punk rock. Or queercore? The song starts off very tongue-in-cheek (“When I was straight / No one told me it was just a phase”) and the chorus sounds like satire, but then it gets more serious in the last verse. The song leaves you thinking about the privilege you have.
Cross Em Out
‘Cross Em Out’ is a song about walking away from people who don’t care about you. It’s about the moment you’re telling yourself, “No, not anymore” and move on. Then, looking back, everything that seemed important once looks ridiculous with a different mindset.
Another Dinner Ruined
The title and also the lyrics were inspired by the essay ‘Feminist Killjoys’, by Sara Ahmed, feminist writer and independent scholar. It describes the killjoy moment that you may know. A relative’s birthday or a gathering with old friends you haven’t seen in a while, all very nice until someone says something problematic and everyone joins in and agrees. You seem like the only person seeing the problem and now you decide to point it out – “another dinner, ruined”.
5. What's the best way to support your band?
Tell all your friends we exist.
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