TOUCH BY TOUCH interview (1/2)

Touch by Touch was founded in Vienna in 2021. With their debut album “Power Dynamics”, they make the sounds of the eighties and nineties heard, but not without a fresh, modern twist. We talk to the likeable duo about their beginnings and much more.

How it all began …

Orkus: Let’s start at the beginning: When did you first come into contact with darkwave or post-punk?
FKV: Sometime in the late 90s, early 2000s.
FKG: It was a bit earlier for me – my neighbor was a Depeche Mode “Ultra” in the eighties and gave me “Violator” for my eleventh birthday. Shortly after that, “Temple of Love” was in the hit parade in 1992 – at the same time as “Rhythm Is a Dancer” by Snap. Also a great song.

O: What particularly fascinated you about these sounds?
FKV: The good danceability.
FKG: Yes. and melancholy, gloom and gripping songwriting. And Ofra Haza. Our song “Amor Mortifera” contains a little homage to her.

O: What does this music mean to you today?
FKV: A lot!
FKG: I love dancing to it – it works better than any therapy.

O: Where and when did you two meet?
FKG: Around 15 years ago in Vienna. We quickly discovered that we had extremely compatible musical tastes, regardless of genre.
FKV: Yes, that’s a good guess. We got to know each other through metal, because we’re also big fans of it.

Touching

O: How did you come up with the band name Touch by Touch? Is there a story behind it?
FKG: Music must touch. People in relationships touch each other. Emotionally or physically. Step by step, touch by touch – a fragile process. The name is abstract, but at the same time evokes individually colored interpretations. We like that. We also really like the Austrian super hit of the same name from 1985, written by the band Joy – irresistible. So the name combines philosophical aspirations with a certain trash factor. That’s exactly how we like it on the records we buy.

Analog vs. digital?

O: But now to the music! Which is unusual these days: You exclusively use analog equipment from the eighties and nineties. What are the advantages for you and do you sometimes reach your limits?
FKV: We make music in the style of the eighties and early nineties, so it makes sense to use sound generators from that era to get that sound. But modern devices are often great too, especially Behringer makes great replicas of old classics. All parts of the songs are recorded “live” into the sequencer, i.e. not programmed. They are quantized again afterwards or the speed may be increased, but that is our limit. So you don’t hear anything that one of us can’t at least play somehow.

Dynamic

O: The debut album is entitled “Power Dynamics”. Why do you think it fits so well?
FKG: As a duo, we have certain “power dynamics”, as do the songs in and of themselves. A lot of the content revolves around relationships, love and loss – the ups and downs of life. And the title is catchy, fresh and dynamic – very important in order to survive in the tough music business.

Body language

O: The album starts with “Body Language”. When did you realize that this was the perfect introduction to the album and is there a story behind the song?
FKG: “Body Language” was the first song we finished together – so it’s also the biographical opener, which felt right for the debut album. At the same time, it sums up many elements of our very broad sound – concise synths, melancholy guitars and a danceable beat. And “body language” is always very important, not just on the dancefloor.

You will soon be able to read the second part of our interview here.

Claudia Zinn-Zinnenburg

Line-up:
FKG – vocals, bass
FKV – synthesizer, guitar

Touch by Touch – Tourdates:
May 02, 2026 AT-Vienna, Szene
May 03, 2026 AT-Graz, PPC
November 08, 2026 AT-Vienna, Das LOT

Do you already have your tickets?

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Listen to Touch by Touch on Bandcamp