Tanz Akademie is a 6-piece indie / post-punk band from Piedmont in Italy. Having recorded their brand new debut album ‘Hullabaloo’ in just one week, they’re heading out on tour across Europe, delivering their powerful, eclectic mix of post-punk, indie rock and a touch of jazz, goth and alt pop (yep, that’s all crammed in there :)). The band claim to sound “like a marching band throwing a coming-of-age party at a funeral”. So there.
indieRepublik: How did you come up with the name Tanz Akademie?
Johnny: Hi! Thanks for having us! So..the name Tanz Akademie comes from the italian cult horror movie “Suspiria” by Dario Argento – Luca Guadagnino also made a great remake of the film. It’s set in a dance academy in Germany, which is run by witches.
indieRepublik: If you had to describe your music to a deaf person, what would you say?
Johnny: Interesting, mmh..well if we assume that they’ve never heard sounds in their life I suppose we would show them images – haunted mansions filled with ghosts, people dancing at the edge of some cliff, wooden alpine cabins buried in snow but with a fire burning inside, empty swimming pools being filled by raindrops in a thunderstorm, portrays of people, stuff like that.
+++ If you’re in Iceland in July make sure to catch Tanz Akademie on their Icelandic tour! +++
indieRepublik: If your music was a movie, which genre would it be in?
Johnny: Cool question, in fact I think it would be a folk-horror movie but also with romantic drama and existential elements.
The band claim to sound “like a marching band throwing a coming-of-age party at a funeral”.
indieRepublik: Where do you get your inspiration from?
Johnny: Everyday life, as clichè as it may sound, but it’s the truth. Also stories that we heard, like folk tales. Then mental health issues and other works of art. Everything can be inspiring really.
indieRepublik: What music do you listen to when you’re touring?
Johnny: It varies, depending on the mood we’re in. I would definitely recommend listening to “On the road again” by Willie Nelson whilst touring; a classic. “Seasons in the sun” by Terry Jacks is another banger of a road trip song, but it’s so hard to listen to without starting to cry. Breaks my heart everytime.
I try to match the colour of my underwear to the colour of the day of the week in which I’m wearing it, just for info lol
indieRepublik: What was the last concert you went to?
Johnny: “Imagine” festival in Basel, Switzerland – pretty cool, such a beautiful city as well.
Johnny: If someone cries for one of your songs, I think that’s the best compliment you can receive. It’s the emotions, it’s life, personally It’s everything I care about in music.
indieRepublik: Do you see your songs in colour or in black and white?
Johnny: I personally see our songs in colour, every track has a colour or a mixture of colours in my head. I also do that with week days, months, numbers and I try to match the colour of my underwear to the colour of the day of the week in which I’m wearing it, just for info lol.
indieRepublik: How would you define indie? What do you personally think it means?
Johnny: I’ve always thought of the word “indie” as having a similar meaning to the word “punk” in my life. I guess it’s an attitude, to me it means – do whatever you want with music, be playful, be true to yourself. Also have fun.
indieRepublik: What do you like most about indieRepublik?
Johnny: To be completely honest, I just came across you guys, so I don’t have enough elements to pinpoint what I like most about you. You seem cool though! Thanks so much for having us 🙂
