Johannes, Till, and Leon have come a long way since their youthful punk days as INTOX. Though they never really stopped playing music together, the intervening years were filled primarily with informal jam sessions — what they fondly referred to as "therapeutic music-making." Now, after three decades of friendship and shared experiences, the trio has evolved into Innocent Babies, offering a compelling blend of raw acoustic authenticity and reflective lyrical depth.
Johannes writes and sings, bringing a voice and narrative shaped profoundly by life's complexities. Till crafts the melodies on guitar, characterized by eruptive rhythms that burst forth unpredictably, stretching and bending the tempo with dramatic flair. Leon enriches the soundscape with expressive, classically influenced keyboard harmonies, creating infinite, seemingly lost melodies that linger hauntingly.
The lyrics Johannes pens are introspective, confronting the ambiguities and contradictions of human existence. In the track "Pretty Prison," Innocent Babies explore the embrace of darkness, recognizing beauty even within pain and confinement. The lyrics — "Maybe I wouldn’t hurt you if it wasn’t so much fun" — reflect a profound acceptance of life's multifaceted nature, from romantic tenderness to unsettling depths.
In "Bad Things Too," Johannes offers a sobering meditation on accepting life’s dualities, encapsulating the essence of resilience and humility: "Bright things happen, bad things too. Enjoy the sunshine, learn from your faults." Here, the band gently reminds listeners that self-awareness and emotional intelligence are key to navigating life's ups and downs.