Fanshop
Kevin Volland: "It's an awesome song"
Kevin, what did you think when "Unser Ding" was played in the stadium for the first time?
Kevin Volland:It was a good feeling. It's an awesome song and it was fun because it gets us going before a game. It was a nice surprise for the fans too. Maybe they could sing the song in the future – that would be cool.
You rap on your own at the beginning of the song. Did you need convincing?
Volland:The whole team was in the studio. We sang the chorus and recorded the backing track together. After than we had the chance to rap a part of the song and it was just to see if it fitted. Then there were only six of us left in the studio. That was a unique experience. The room was modified so that there was only one microphone instead of lots. It hung down from the ceiling, just like in the movies. We started and the other guys watched on and listened. I didn't need convincing. I wanted to do it as I knew there wouldn't be many other opportunities.
How was it to work with a professional like Henning Wehland?
Volland:Absolutely fascinating. It was relaxed but we wanted to achieve perfection at the same time. Henning is a great guy. We got to know him at the training camp in Switzerland over the summer. Everyone quickly realised that he has a lot of talent.
You've been working on the lyrics together since last summer…
Volland:It was a lot of work. We did some brainstorming in Switzerland but we had to hone in on the lyrics after that. We got together to talk about them. We threw the first two versions away because we weren't happy with them, but we're both happy with this final version and the hip-hop style.
What do you usually listen to in the car, on your phone or at home?
Volland:At the moment the new albums by Chris Brown, Tyga and Drake. Then a bit of old school hip hop, but sometimes something more relaxing or stuff from the 80s.
You've been learning the guitar for a while now. How's that going?
Volland:Quite well. Our fitness coach Otmar Rösch is my teacher and he's quite happy with me. I learn things quite quickly and I've realised that playing is a lot of fun. You can always continue to improve and learn something new. I practise every night by playing and singing the songs that I'm working on.
Back to football: You've scored three goals in three games. Things could be worse…
Volland:Yes, that's right. But I've always said that winning is more important than my goals. I want to help the team with goals, assists or winning tackles.
You could continue your good run on Saturday in Gelsenkirchen…
Volland:That wouldn't be bad. But at the end of the day it doesn't matter who puts the ball in the back of the net. We win games as a team.
Schalke might be feeling the after effects of their derby defeat. How will that have an impact on the game?
Volland:It'll be a dangerous match. Schalke will want to make up for what happened. But we go there with confidence off the back of some good results over the last few weeks and we want to pick up points. The pressure is all on Schalke.
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