Albertine Sarges

Photograph by Jan Durina

Name, where are you from? 
Albertine Sarges, Berlin, Kreuzberg.

What do you do? 
Musician.

Describe your style in three words? 
Squatter librarian chic.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
The Weather Station at Monarch, Berlin
.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Crosby Stills Nash and Young because I like harmony singing and deep down I’m still a hippie, I’d like to chime in. Talking Heads because I would love to meet Tina Weymouth, one of my favourite bassists.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
My parents were squatting houses in Berlin-Kreuzberg in the '80s and I guess a lot of their attitude influenced me deeply. When I was 15 I discovered Woodstock on the internet and researched the definition of “hippie”, taped it on my door for everyone to see. I loved the hair, the naked feet, the ideas of universal love and its closeness to nature. Growing up I realised how the summer of love contained sexism and violence and I ran away from it.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I would like to spend an hour with George Orwell and his wife Eileen Orwell and ask them what they think about our days and what they think we should do to prevent the worst. They also had a great cosy place to live with many animals and were in to good food.

Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I would always opt for Schokoladen. In a building occupied by anarchists since the '80s (by now they have an official rent contract), it’s a real leftist bar and club. It has a small stage, wrapped in rose-themed wallpaper. I watched my very first shows there, growing up, and I played countless times there. Home.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Betty Davis is pure dynamite funk. A life-giver. She seemed to have it all: divine talent and courage, stunning beauty, connections (hung with Jimi Hendrix, Sly Stone, was married to Miles Davis). But her three albums didn’t break through. They said she was too graphic for American audiences. Oh, how I hate these double standards against women!