A spotlight interview with Maike, guitarist of Berlin band Pigeons, ahead of their appearance at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin on 22 February.
How did you choose your band name?
Pigeons are called rats with wings, are treated badly and most people think of them very lowly even though most of those thoughts are based on prejudice and misinformation. As a band consisting of 5 women who started to play their instruments when forming the band, we knew not everyone would take us as equals. Pushing equality in music and live in general is important for us and pigeons incorporate that attitude!
Who’s in the band, and what do you all play?
Sylwi – Lead singer & songwriting Hannah – Drums Moni – Bass Alina – Rhythm Guitar Maike – Lead Guitar & songwriting
Where do you call home (geographically and musically)?
We are Berlin Gurrrls playing punk rock!
Describe your sound in three words.
Fun, energetic and with an attitude
Tell us about your music
In our single ‘People Pleaser’ that we released featuring Total Thunfisch Terror Team we talk about the ridiculous things we do just to make others happy even though we have to go above our own limits doing that. We are pretty sure many of you can relate to the lyrics.
‘Zu Nah’ means ‘too close’. It’s expressing our rage about men regularly getting too close for our comfort without consent and even feeling entitled to do so. You will recognise our feelings when hearing the song even without understanding the German lyrics!
About 2 years ago, before forming our band, Sylwi our singer was bored once and decided to roll her DnD dice. The number roled should define where she would travel that day by corresponding to one of the train platforms she would go to. As some of you will know, her rolling a 1 already hinted towards a critical failure. Platform 1 meant she would take the train to Teltow, which is a small town next to Berlin and not really an opportunity for a fun beach vacation or some sightseeing. She went there nevertheless, was bored, grabbed a beer, sat on a bench and wrote the lyrics to the song that would later on be our first release ‘Gottlos besoffen in Teltow’.
What’s your local scene like — and how do you fit in, or stir it up?
Berlin punk is an open scene, but nevertheless we are always reminded how rare an all female band is. Additionally, as mentioned before, we started together to learn our instruments only 1,5 years ago and had our first concert only half a year later. We try to show with our concerts that everyone regardless age, gender, race or whatever should pick up an instrument and even form a band if they want. It’s about coming together, having fun and being free to do what makes you happy.
If you could rip up the rulebook of the music industry, what’s the first thing you’d rewrite?
“You have to hide the first 5 years of learning an instrument in your basement and tell everyone you are bad at it”. It can be an inspiration to others to show the first steps of the musical journey. People who hate on you for not being perfect have enough other bands they can listen to.
What’s the wildest thing that’s ever happened at one of your gigs?
We love when people are in the pit with pigeon masks!
What’s the proudest moment you’ve had so far as a band?
Last year we had the opportunity to open the ZSK and Rogers show in Berlin. Standing in front of so many strangers and especially getting such a nice feedback afterwards felt wild.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for supporting FLINTA* artists 🫶