In the European Capital of Culture in 2025, a good third recently set its cross at the AfD. Tens of thousands of hands seemed to lead an emotion above all in Chemnitz’s electoral booths: the resentment. I only dream of love, replenish blond. Her new record demands hope for cooperation in an at least reasonably fair world.
ME: When Chemnitz was chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2025, some people from your environment stood the tears in their eyes. Do you feel a spirit of optimism in the city?
Johann Bonitz: In the district, the cafés are really full – I don’t know if it is because of it …
Nina Kummer: Or the train to Chemnitz is full and people with suitcases get out! When you talk about where you come from, some are like this: “Fastostadt.” At least a few people also say: “Ah, cultural capital.” There is now a second narrative, I would say.
Among the cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants, the AfD received the most second votes in the Bundestag election in Chemnitz. To what extent can it be cultivated to change a social climate?
Lotta Kummer: I would say that art is sometimes a kind of way out for cultural workers. If you don’t like certain things, you can create your own colorful world.
Nina: Many concert dreams are also left -wing rooms – and it is important that they are simply there. If you think about how you were politicized yourself, then very often about pop culture. Art offers the opportunity to conduct political debates on a completely different level. This is much more accessible because you have the feeling: I don’t have to read a book about the topic, but I understand the song – and start about dealing with it. That is my hope of culture.
In youth, the idols become identification figures – when it comes to clothing and language, but also values. Which important acts or institutions have paved the way in this regard?
Nina: We were in the AJZ a lot, where we went to our first concerts. The atomino environment as a left club was also very formative.
Johann: Because we were in the atomino and were allowed to perform so early, we have many other Chemnitz artists: got to know the inside directly, which could help each other.
Lotta: When we saw Peaches for the first time, we were like this: “Oh shit, how cool is it?” On the art of art, but also on a political level. Because it was extremely feminist and still really easy. Something like that always impressed us.
Your concerts look like trade fairs that donate the community of consolation, solidarity and strength. Is it the most important task of art in times like this in times like this in times like this in times like this?
Lotta: That it is very important: fact. You can tell that our fans are a community. I am very proud of that.
Nina: I was recently at a concert. It was full, but everyone was in themselves. With us, people see themselves more as a group, they get to know each other – at least I wish for it. In times like these, it is the most important thing that you network.
Six years ago you sang with “Thorsten” for the first time against male strays. Now Johann ironically boasts the “bare minimum” as a feminist icon. The line can be found on the song: “Very, very little is more than nothing.” Has something in terms of feminist sensitization turned out for the positive?
Nina: I have to think about it briefly … you always believe that and then something like the choice happens. Where you are like this: “Oh, man, they really want the outdated role models back now and talk about two sexes.”
Johann: Whenever you get out of your bubble, you realize that everything is not as beautiful as you sometimes believe.
Lotta: When we talk about “Thththorsten”: In the meantime we come with our own crew and have no contact with local stage technology. But I think if you ask a newcomer flint*band-unfortunately it would still have very similar experiences. It is difficult for me because a very positive …
Nina: … at the same time you have to tell yourself that it changes at least a little bit into the positive. Otherwise you get the feeling that it was six years ago – and if nothing changes, that would be very tiring
Lotta: If you go into a discussion with people today, at least many have heard of feminism. In the past they didn’t understand what you want from them at all. Now they are doing things that are inappropriate – but actually they know that it is wrong.
On “Girl Boss” you sings your boss bitch kite paper, girl power scarves, Viva-la vulva wine-consumer goods with bright slogans, which, however, have very little practical benefits. When did the sale of feminist values open up to you?
Nina: Sometimes you think: “We are very far. The advertising is diverse and designed for all body types.” But actually these are just marketing instruments that work well in capitalism. They can now sell their Skincare products to men. But that has nothing to do with a real fight against inequality, discrimination and sexism. The executive floors have no real interest in making everything more fair. We also received more inquiries ourselves … because “you are so feminist”.
You should serve as advertising figures. Did you get into it?
Nina: Lotta and I run a podcast. The possibility of making money with it lies in the switching of advertising. We stopped again.
Lotta: I would rather say “Buy this biscuit, he is tasty” than to say “With this nail polish you are empowering women”. Of course we only received such inquiries …
Nina: … from feminist companies with two female CEOs, and they then sell a feminist water. That feels shabby when I speak!
On “How You” comes to the conclusion: nothing surpasses the emotional power of love. Also in view of the album title: Is the longing for romance, security and love in the end a great desire, from which the gene Z with its situation hips and open relationships cannot be completely resolved?
All: (laugh)
Nina: Very nice question. For us, the topic of love is precisely on the album title than just: I love the other person in a romantic way. It is also a lot about sibling love, love without abuse of power, love for yourself.
Nina: This togetherness too: How do we people in this world want to spend our time? But yes, it is probably a prehistoric desire.
Lotta: It always catches you, unfortunately love is nothing rational.
Johann: Unfortunately sometimes fleeting.
Lotta: Some parents are like this: “Man, the person is nice, why are you not with that?” And you think: “Well, I’m not in love.” But if you could say rationally: “I have a person who lives next to me, he’s nice …”
Nina: … I think that people did it in previous generations.
Lotta: (laughs) and so it doesn’t work anymore. Of course you are looking for the Aaah a bit and then you are in love. It’s just something very nice. But love can also have other forms than this “you are now married”.
Nina: And if a romantic love may break, you are all the more grateful for it. Because: Who will catch you up? The family, the friends. This should be valued on this album.
Again and again you reflect on your own past. Regardless of the specific events of the songs: Do you find it more difficult to forgive yourself or others?
Lotta: I think that’s totally blatant. You are so hard to yourself. What you partly let others go through and say: “Not bad, I’m forgiving you again.” But if at some point you maintain a loving handling of yourself, it is worth so much. Then you keep people who want a bad one at a distance – because you say: “I stand up for myself, here is my limit.” If you only go in the direction, you notice that it lives nicer there.