Adam Green: A Storyteller From the Dark Side of Indie Folk

Deutsche Welle: Before your career took off, had you ever been to Germany?

Adam Green: I'd been here once with my family when I was a teenager. My great, great grandmother was German as was my grandfather who was born in Berlin. I have a great interest in German culture, most of which I have learnt in my time here. I also had a German girlfriend for a while about five or six years ago.

What do you particularly like about German culture?

There have been some great artists from Germany. I love a lot of the German expressionist artists. I’m a great fan of expressionism and Germany has had some great practitioners.

Were you surprised at how your popularity took off here in Germany?

I certainly didn't expect it. At the same time, I thought there was a possibility. I never really thought that I would be touring around the world full stop so it's all been a big trip.

Do you see any differences between the German and American audiences at your concerts?

It's pretty much the same. I think the main differences are between the audiences from night to night, not necessarily country to country. It has a lot to do with the venue or the architecture. The building has a lot to do with people’s moods. It can bring out rowdiness, intensity, emotion from a crowd. Different set-ups bring different things from a crowd. My least favourite type of venue is when the audience is spread out or divided from me by barriers. I prefer open areas like theatres.

You mentioned family ties to Germany, has your family got close links with the country?

Not really. They were kind of chased out of the country during the war. It was terrible…but I don't think now there are any ties. My grandfather considers himself to be American and doesn’t consider himself to be German at all.

Do you have any German musical influences?

Ammon Düül…I listen to them quite a bit. I got that album "Paradise Warts Düül" when I was a teenager. It's pretty psychedelic.