Ahead of their month-long run of performances at the Edinburgh Festival, Berlin’s prince and princess of art rock and Europop, Otto & Astrid (best known as Die Roten Punkte) have released two competing singles in an attempt to prove to one another who is the real star of Berlin’s Euro-punk-pop scene.
Otto & Astrid – who together have won a host of awards and accolades from all over the world and toured extensively supporting Amanda Palmer – have been arguing terribly over whose work should appear on Die Roten Punkte’s hotly anticipated fifth album.
Unable to reach a consensus, the dysfunctional brother/sister duo have decided to take a break and make the brave decision to work separately. Unfortunately, Otto had trouble recruiting a new drummer, and Astrid found precuring a replacement guitarist equally challenging.
Determined to prove they can make it on their own, they agreed, for the sake of the music, to be the backing musicians for one another’s solo performances. And it is under these unique set of circumstances that the new singles are being released.
Astrid Rot is delighted to be unveiling to her fans “Tasty Snak”, a pop-rap anthem here to inject a dose of wild energy into your eardrums that is danceable and ‘club-ready’. In the single Astrid celebrates food, food and more food, with a delightful number of double entendres to boot.
Meanwhile, inspired by Iggy Pop, but unsure about dogs or wanting to be one, Otto Rot has created a perfect storm of unapologetic punk fused with the infectious hooks of pop, and the raw power of good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll. “I Wanna Be Your Kitten” is a sugar rush on steroids, leaving you with an insatiable urge to jump around, pump your fists, and maybe even break out into an impromptu air guitar solo.
You can watch the videos on Instagram, TikTok (Otto’s song here, Astrid’s Song here), YouTube (Otto’s song here, Astrid’s Song here), Twitter (Otto’s song here, Astrid’s Song here), and even Facebook (ok boomer, you get a chance to watch too – Otto’s song here, Astrid’s Song here),. Whichever song has the most likes across all social media platforms by 27th August (the final day of their month long run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe) will be crowned the ultimate winner.
Otto states “”I think I will win because Astrid is singing about sugary foods that Cookie Monster would call a ‘sometimes treat’. You can play with kittens every day.” Astrid however is unconvinced, feeling that the public are far more likely to prefer her offering stating “I mean come on, who doesn’t want a crunchy soft wet delicious snak rolling around in their mouth?
But whichever way you vote, the most important thing is that you get on board for Otto & Astrid’s high-speed rollercoaster ride to enjoy soaring choruses that get stuck in your head for days, and blistering guitar solos that make you want to jump up on a table and rock out like there’s no tomorrow.
Otto & Astrid will be heading to the Edinburgh Festival for the entirety of August where they will perform these songs and more as they present, their rock-banging (Joint) Solo Project.
Expect a lipstick-smeared, tantrum-loving, sonic collision between B52s, Pixies, Kraftwerk and early Ramones with ridiculously infectious songs in this hilarious, cutting satire of the nationalism and division playing out around the world.
Part theatre, part live rock concert, 100% defective siblings.
