WL//WH Interview PINK TURNS BLUE
Pink Turns Blue photo by D. Vorndran
Last October 2021 the iconic Post-punk / Darkwave outfit Pink Turns Blue released their new ‘Tainted’ album via Orden Records, the result of time well spent during a lockdown year – writing, recording, mixing and mastering the new album in their Berlin recording studio. I knew that everyone involved in the post-punk scene would run for statements, reviews, and all. I thought “I’ll wait, I’ll play their new songs on the radio, and when it all calms down a bit I will make my move”. I asked Shameless Promotion PR for contact with someone from the band and there I found myself speaking with the band’s frontman Mic Jogwer. You know, these “wolves” in the scene have a lot to say in their interviews so, turn it all loud and read the words of Mr Jogwer.
Hello Mr Jogwer and welcome to WL//WH! Congratulations on your new awesome album “Tainted” as it has a lot to say to your old fans and also to the new ones who started following you after 2005 with “Phoenix” LP. The band has always been singing the sore side of life and I’d like you to introduce us to Pink Turns Blue new release.
We have been travelling the world in the years before Covid hit and met mainly two kinds of people. One kind were the ones who strongly believe in the principle “everyone for oneself” and the other kind the one who risk their health and well-being to help others or make the world just a little bit better every day. “TAINTED” is a tribute to the latter.
“Tainted” LP musically brought me a lot of sweet sadness and quite a lot of nostalgia, I first found you with “Aerdt” (1991) LP and then I discovered the rest of your albums. Pink Turns Blue is an important name in the alternative scene from 1987 and on and I’d like to ask if the new listener will now find traces from the whole band’s course in the new album.
Well, I reckon very much so. But that is only natural because the singer and songwriter is the same person. So the perspective and the things that subjectively matter are always seen through the same eyes and felt by the same character. So the world changes a bit, the times change a bit and the songwriter changes a bit. But not too much. There should be musical evolution from an artistic perspective.
I love your lyrics in the new LP, and I saw in the press kit some of your statements about our decadent world of humans right now, can you tell our readers about the things that occupy you intensely at this time and why did you write these lyrics?
Oh no, the decadence hasn’t changed. It only became more obvious when it came to changing our behaviour and our comfort zone because of the imminent costs of climate change (change or ignore?) and our responsibility for future generations (ignore or respect?). Humanity got divided. As stated above, some again see the chance to improve their situation (more money in a crisis) and others are willing to become more careful. In the end, it is a choice. Be good or bad. Give or take.
There are two gaps in the band’s course, 1994 to 2005, and 2016 to 2021. I’d like to ask you why and which one was more painful for you.
There was only one gap, 1994 to 2005. And it wasn’t painful at all. For us, the music scene, or at least the musical genre we lived in became repetitive, cliche, boring. New genres were born and found their place in musical history. We reunited because we got an invitation to play a few festivals and shows and were surprised by the resonance. So we got together and worked on new material to add to the classics. Between 2016 and 2021 was a lot of touring and Corona.
How do you see the post-punk revival thing in the last pretty much ten years? Do you follow what’s going on out there? Are there any names that amaze one of the old wolves of the scene?
Yes, very much so. We really love many of those young/new post-punk acts because they have the same experimental, soul-searching spirit of the 80s but have their own sound, style and identity. So the scene is alive and kicking and is offering new sounds, stories and identities. Personally, I am very fond of acts like Lebanon Hanover, The Soft Moon or Soviet Soviet. And many more. It is great fun to share many stages on many festivals with fresh and impressive talent.
When you first started with the groundbreaking debut album “If Two Worlds Kiss” (1987) you were part of a very intense generation with big political changes in Europe, now do things remind you of something from that period? Do you see relativities in politics and the societies that art can sear?
In the 80s the world was divided into East and West, capitalism and socialism. Today, the world is divided in denying racism, climate change, inequality or accepting it and helping to change things for the better. Both divides are artificial and stupid and only help the powerful and rich to stay in power and keep their wealth. I can understand that many people fear the future even more than we did in the 80s with atomic rockets pointing everywhere.
Why do play Post-punk music? What led you there?
For us, Post-punk has two elements: firstly, everyone can make good music as long you have to say something, secondly, the drive to explore new sounds, soundscapes and new ways to get the things you want to say across. So, it is a combination of Punk Rock and innovation.
What is it that you avoid when you create music and what do you also avoid in music generally?
Copying myself or others, music without any story or soul.
I saw on Pink Turns Blue official website the dates for the European tour (come back to Athens please). Any thoughts on also travelling across the Atlantic?
Athens will happen in Spring 2022 for sure. Also, all other European capitals as long as Covid allows us to play there. North America is already in the making for September/October 2022. South America for Spring 2023.
Nowadays I always ask my guests how that Covid-thing affected them and their bands and works. Can you share with us your thoughts on that, please? Also, what do you think should not happen again?
We think Covid gave us all a moment of reflection about what matters most. Everyone shall decide how he/she can learn something from it.
Thank you very much Mr Jogwer, last words on you.
Stay engaged!
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