Raucous and Edgy Nightlife Hotspot: Unfiltered, Rebellious, and Incisive
In the heart of Berlin, a post-punk duo, Nylon Club, have been making waves in the city's underground scene for quite some time now. Consisting of songwriters Valentina Alexander and Drake Elliott, this formidable pair brings a fresh blend of new-wave edginess and razor-sharp lyrical delivery to Berlin's musical landscape. Their latest creation, Nylon Club Vol. II, is a bold dose of 80s-influenced synth-pop that's sure to get you moving.
The tale of Nylon Club's inception, however, is as captivating as their music. Valentina and Drake, childhood best friends from California, reconnected in Berlin in 2022 and produced a six-track EP in just three weeks. Though they still write as a duo, their current live band includes Dagur Kaveh (a killer Icelandic-Iranian bassist), drummer Finnian Charlton Jones, and Lukas May-Floor handling the synths.
When it comes to describing their sound, a single sentence falls short. Imagine euphonious pop-vocal melodies akin to Kim Wilde or the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, coupled with defiant, wiry guitar riffs reminiscent of Gang of Four. As for the lyrical content, Valentina often writes about settings and everyday objects, aiming to capture a slice of life through vivid snapshots of mundane day-to-day things. The topics she covers range from partying and sex to mental health issues.
Berlin's music scene is bustling with activity. There's rarely a night when a gig can't be found. Compared to some scenes, the crowd here is older, with Valentina finding a less insular, juvenile atmosphere compared to the Bay Area's scene. Among the city's many venues, some favorites include Hinterraum, OGH (formerly Autobahn), and Urban Spree.
Collaborations with local artists are a dream, with Peaches and Einstürzende Neubauten high on the wish list. On a more dreamy note, should they have the chance, Drake would love to open for Thin Lizzy, while Valentina wouldn't mind sharing a stage with Shitkid or Stiff Richards.
Inspiration strikes in the most unexpected places for Nylon Club. From stream-of-consciousness writing to photographs and even dreams, their music is a testament to their unique creative process. A particular source of inspiration is the work of authors like Eve Babitz and Bill Buford.
If Berlin were a song, it would be 'Eisbär' by Grauzone, undoubtedly capturing the city's spirit. The abundance of practice spaces in Berlin has been a pleasant surprise, allowing them to collaborate with other creative minds and fuel their own creative fire.
With their recent release of their first full-length album, you can expect more frequent drops from Nylon Club as they work through their backlog of unreleased songs. The future is bright for these exciting post-punk pioneers.
Nylon Club has managed to garner a significant following on social media, showcasing their music and behind-the-scenes content to fans worldwide. The band's infectious blend of new-wave edginess, 80s-influenced synth-pop, and defiant guitar riffs has found a home on various social media platforms, making their music a staple in the online entertainment scene.
When asked about their future plans, Valentina and Drake mentioned their intentions to collaborate with local Berlin artists such as Peaches and Einstürzende Neubauten, extending their musical collaborations beyond their usual scope. Additionally, they expressed a desire to perform with international artists like Thin Lizzy, Shitkid, and Stiff Richards, bringing their unique sound to broader audiences.
