Formula Indie Sessions – Interview with schurkin
schurkin is an elektro-metal band from Basel, Switzerland. They combine the aesthetics of a techno-event with the spirit and energy of a rock concert. To pay tribute to their second great love—cinema—they incorporate famous quotes from the world of film into their songs.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Listening to a tape of David Hasselhoffs “Looking for freedom” in our living room.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
It all started with Nirvana’s “Smells like teen spirit”. From that moment a was hooked.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I`m from the metal scene but worked for years as an audio engineer in techno-clubs. Although I liked some of the electronic music I always thought it was not hard enough. Even genres like “Schranz”, “Dubstep” or “Dark Wave” weren’t able to punch as much as metal does. I realised that it doesn’t matter how hard you distort your synthesizer it can never punch as hard as a distorted guitar. So I decided to try to combine the groovy parts from electronic music with distorted metal guitars. And I am very pleased with the results.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Take the hardest parts of electronic music and metal, boil them down to their bones and add some candy topping on it. You’re left with a dish you can never shake off.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Don’t write to complicated riffs. Keep it simply but groovy. Most of the time it sounds better that way.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Guitar and bass of course. Our drums and synthesizer aren’t played live – they`re programmed. I mostly use Cubase Groove Agent, Halion, and the free software Vital.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Don’t know if you can still call them Indie, but Igorrr – I discoverd them/him just recently. Their mastermind is a creative genius.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Since I was a kid I was always addicted to the dark side. I`ve never been a little Mr. Sunshine. I consumed the most dark and disturbing stuff regarding music, movies, comics etc. Our artistic visions is mainly influenced by movies and music from the 80’s and 90’s and weird mangas such as Blame and Doroh.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
Happiness.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
That it can heal wounds.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
We love to play everywhere – the right audience is more important than the location.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
With people who are not only creative and passionate about music but can also put their egos aside — otherwise good music can’t be created. And even though I don’t know them personally, I’d say: Mike Patton, Phil Anselmo, Corey Taylor, and Slomosa.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
https://schurkin.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/schurkin
https://www.instagram.com/_schurkin/
https://www.youtube.com/@schurkinsound
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical
journey?
Being recognized by a bigger audience.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
That we are worth their attention.
