The many worlds of Sarah and Yacko

The bungalow stands in a quiet residential neighbourhood on the outskirts of the capital. There is nothing to suggest that there is a small musical laboratory hidden in the basement of this house. But as soon as the door opens, it becomes clear that real work is done down here. Guitars lean against the walls, beside them are amplifiers, effects units, a mixing desk and a drum kit.

Yacko opens the door: heavily tattooed, friendly, relaxed. Sarah joins shortly afterwards. A few minutes later, the room is filled with sound. Yacko plugs in a guitar and turns the effects knobs – not for himself, but for us, who, given the opportunity, want to play around a bit. He has also switched on the strobe light to improve the atmosphere. Wow!

We launch into an improvised noise session – loud, chaotic, full of energy. We feel like we're in paradise for a moment, then it gets loud, very loud. Yacko reassures us: "I have cool neighbours. Somehow there's always noise here, even more in the past, because this used to be the rehearsal room for my death metal band, among other things."

Yacko and Sarah – both of whom wish to be referred to only by their first names in this article – are among the most hyperactive personalities on the Luxembourg music scene. Together they have several projects going, write songs, produce music, organise concerts and festivals – and have recently started a new band, Ultra World, which is quickly attracting attention.