Astrid Rot

  

Astrid Rot is singer, drummer and songwriter with Die Roten Punkte. Astrid first started drumming on the kitchen table when she was five but was quickly silenced by her mother and father. After the tragic and unexpected death of her parents on her twelfth birthday she quickly took up drumming again. Astrid’s minimalist style and legendary stage antics have made her both revered and feared in equal parts. Astrid’s song writing is a potent mixture of simplicity and tragedy, from the sexually charged brevity of “Oh My God, Yeah” to the chilling depths of “The 4:15 To Spandau Will Not Run Today”. Astrid has a reputation for being a ‘party girl’ and her excessive outlandish lifestyle has made her a constant fixture in the European tabloids, most recently referring to her alleged stay in rehab.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
I loved Debbie Harry and Iggy Pop equally, so I kinda wanted to be like them both, but maybe louder, so I added drums.

When did you know you would work in the arts?
After our parents were killed in a train accident when I was 12, my brother Otto and I ran away to Berlin and lived in squat where we were surrounded by musicians and artists. Otto even woke up one day and found he’d been spray painted all over his body. So I guess from a young age I thought this looked like a cool thing to do.

Where did you get your start in the arts?
We began playing gigs in the squat and then in small bars and clubs around Berlin. We used to go on first because Otto was so young he used to fall asleep all the time. I had to keep poking him with my drum stick.

What did you think of your first Fringe World festival?
We had a great time, even though it was 42 degrees it was still cool!

How does Fringe World compare to other Fringe festivals around the world?
The best thing about Fringe World in Perth is that is was so compact you could get around and be a part of it all. Also it’s not too big yet that the performers’ are all struggling too much for an audience.

Next week we have a week of concerts at the Adelaide Fringe and that is getting SO big you really can’t experience all of the festival. Luckily we are (kind of )performing in a festival within a festival being in the Gardens of Unearthly Delights in (another) beautiful Spiegeltent. Don’t get too big too fast Fringe World, artists need to eat (and drink)!

What was your favourite part of Fringe World?
Hanging out in the vegetable garden in front of the Spiegeltent! Otto was eating the figs and the guys from Briefs were eating all the greens like rabbits. They are very strong and healthy, but Otto can leap higher.

Was this your first time in Perth? What did you enjoy about the city?
We performed at Beck’s Music Box for Perth International Arts Festival in 2010 so we already knew we loved Perth’s outdoor bars and amazing beaches so close to the city. We were excited to come back.

How would you describe your work to a complete stranger?
It’s like a rock n roll explosion, high energy concert full of scissor kicks, dancing with songs about robots, lions, bananas and dinosaurs.

Who in your industry most inspires you?
As well as Debbie and Iggy, Peaches, Nina Hagen, Chrissy Amphlett, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Karen O, Mick Jagger and David Bowie.

What is the best thing about your job?
Rocking out on stage with Otto whilst visiting amazing cities and meeting interesting people all over the world, like in Perth!

What advice would you give anyone looking to break into the field?
Don’t let anyone put you down or deter you from your dream. Seek advice from people who you look up and inspire you. Rock Bang!

What is next for you?
Next we go to Adelaide for a week of concerts at the fringe, then off to the Brisbane Powerhouse for one week and then to Melbourne for the Comedy Festival before we head to Canada and the US – too much fun!