Volcano Kid is a prolific musician with a love for peculiarity and notably varied taste. His art is driven by intense negative feelings, which he pours into his songs as a form of therapy. A busker riding waves of “intense unconscious creativity”, Volcano Kid is a fascinating character. Enjoy the Drooble interview with the man himself!

Hello, Mr. Volcano Kid! Tell the world about yourself. How did you grow up to become the musician you are today?

Hi, probably dealing with reality whatever it means, a lot of paranoia, lotta of negativity and terrifying fears are the reasons. But not only this: there is a huge part of intense unconscious creativity flow coming from I do not really know where, believe me. Those are the two sides of the volcanic coin, eh..

Introduce your current musical projects and tell us what makes each one special for you!

A new album came out in December 2017 and I’m already working on new things as always. I’m focusing more and more on some very dark feelings and fears, paranoia and really negative thoughts I have, which all release in songs. It is a very painful process and it takes a lot of effort and time, but it is worth it for me. What makes it special is that I don’t want to make it sound perfect, listenable or “good” but only make it mine, my peculiarity. What makes it special is also the fact that I do not follow the market, I do not follow the trend, I couldn’t care less. It comes from a place so far so close inside myself, a place that is everywhere, anywhere. However if people like it of course I’m more than happy but it is not the point for me.

You have been playing music for some time now! How do you find the drive and inspiration to keep going?

Many different things. It is not only inspiration. I might say discipline, bad events of life although afterall, what is bad and good, right or wrong?!.. Some bad things that happen are the ones that could save your ass and if you are smart enough you can learn from them and step forward.

You seem to have a well-developed musical taste. How do you grow a love for so many different genres?

Oh, thank you! I don’t really know why it is the way it is. Probably because since I was a little kid I always liked peculiar things, peculiar artists, peculiar ways of beings, things that make the difference. I never liked a genre of music like a whole but just authors which means that if I like Albert Ayler it doesn’t mean I like Jazz also because I find jazz productions quite boring mostly, just as most of the garage rock productions or metal productions. Saying I like Sepultura doesn’t make me a fan of metal music. I’m curious, I’ve been listening a lot of music in my teenage years probably just like anybody else, all kind of music. I like very much Giuseppe Verdi but just strictly performed by Maria Callas and Giuseppe Di Stefano.

How is the local music scene in Berlin in your perspective?

Berlin is a bubble somehow where there are many other smaller bubbles inside. It seems like there is a lot to discover out there but not really in the end. It is all quite flat.

What is your all-time favorite record and how did it change you as an artist?

Mhm, good question. never thought about it before. There is no favourite record on my shelf. Nowadays sounds everything quite boring to me but perhaps it is just a moment.. .. or I just feel the need to make myself the music that satisfy me more, the music I never listened before and I’m looking forward to, very loud!!!

What are your favorite software and hardware tools for music production?

Ohh ya.. well, I’m definitely not a software freak or a computer nerd. I go better record in a studio when it’s possible, use a 4/8 tracks tape recorder or just the basic GarageBand software.

Out of all the live shows you played, which one was the most memorable, and why?

I’ve always loved busking in the street or wherever. It is very real because you cannot choose your audience and it doesn’t make things easy. I like things to be hard sometimes. There is a lot to learn and I love to play for random people.

What is your biggest musical goal?

To always put my guts and fury into music, telling the truth.

How has being on Drooble helped you as a musician?

Well, surely it helped me already. I got in touch with you guys! Thanks, and all the best to you.