motel void

MOTEL VOID: You’ve just released your new EP, Last Night. Could you describe the writing and recording process behind it?

ROLLER DERBY: These five songs are part of our debut album “When The Night Comes”, which will be released on February 28th. We wrote all of the songs abut two years back in our rehearsal room in the countryside in quite a relaxed atmosphere. Afterwards we got the chance to work with German music producer Moses Schneider. He produced the record and shaped the sound of it. Drums and vocals we recorded with him in Berlin and the other instruments back in our cozy rehearsal room.

MOTEL VOID: Who or what is your biggest inspiration at the moment?

ROLLER DERBY: There is no one big inspiration. We admire a few bands and musicians such as The Cure, The Smiths or Angel Olsen, Alvvays and Beach House.

MOTEL VOID: You’re from Hamburg, Germany. How would you describe the current music scene there? Do you have any favorite local venues or artists?
Hamburg has many great spots for music: small and big clubs, record stores, music festivals. We especially love small venues like Hebebühne, Nachtasyl, Aalhaus or Hafenklang. However independent music clubs are struggling a lot, especially since the pandemic. That’s why it’s so important to support the local music scene, by going to gigs.

MOTEL VOID: You’ve played at many renowned festivals around the world. What has been your most memorable experience so far?

ROLLER DERBY: The first thing that comes to my mind was the SXSW in Austin, Texas. We played there in 2022, so quite early in our career. That’s why it was even more exciting and overwhelming. These were our first gigs abroad and the people were just lovely. Plus, we had the chance to play legendary Austin venues like Hotel Vegas or Mohawk. The biggest stage we got to play was the main stage at Dockville Festival in our hometown Hamburg. This was also a great honor for us.

MOTEL VOID: Several of your songs (Always on My Mind, Starry-Eyed, Flying High, Can’t See You) have achieved significant success on streaming platforms. Did this success have a major impact on your career when it first happened?

ROLLER DERBY: It surely helped us to get booked at festivals. During the pandemic, we reached a wide audience digitally. Unfortunately, you can’t make much money from streaming, but it’s great to see your music being heard all over the world.

MOTEL VOID: You’ll be embarking on a European tour in March. Which cities will you be visiting? Will you be playing in any places for the first time?

ROLLER DERBY: We will start in Copenhagen, where we haven’t played yet. Then we’re going back home to play in Hamburg and Berlin. Then Cologne, Paris, Vienna, Munich and Zurich in April. We’ve never been to Austria with Roller Derby, so that will be new for us as well. In May we will continue the tour in the UK: Manchester, Bristol (both first time!), London and Brighton.