'Twist and shout

The problem with bands as innovative as The Notwist is that it’s very hard coming up with adequate explanations of their musical aesthetic. They seem to be about ten different bands all at once and usually this is a recipe that spells disaster in any language.

But the multi-layered esperanto of The Notwist’s new album, Neon Golden has a syntax all its own, combining elements of metallic post-punk, old skool Germanic electronica, warm ambient sounds and, ay caremba, lo-fi folk! So, Markus Acher, what’s it all about?

“Well, when we started as a band, maybe ten years ago, we were mainly interested in hardcore punk rock, indie guitar stuff,” says The Notwist frontman. “But then we became interested in all sorts of music. And we tried to combine elements of the music we like into our songs and to make strange combinations that maybe don’t fit when you first think about it.”

There seems to be a definite echo of early New Order on the record. Were the canny Mancunians an influence at all?

“New Order? For sure; especially for the second song, ‘Pilot’. It was an electronic tune, with a four-to-the-floor rhythm. I thought we should also give it a slower, more melancholic feel, which is what we did.”

The other musical giant on whose shoulders The Notwist appear to stand is Kraftwerk.

“If you grew up in Germany,” says Acher, “it was impossible not to be aware of them. They made very cool and very distant electronic music but also something that really touches you after repeated listening. They’re a role model for electronic pop music. It would be fresh even if it was released now. You can’t say that about the hippie records made in the ’70s!”