Posts Tagged ‘germany’

PAUL KALKBRENNER @ CROSSOVER FESTIVAL

Berlin-based producer, DJ and actor Paul Kalkbrenner is a classically trained trumpet player who studied music theory and later switched to electronic music. His first tracks were released in 1999 under the name dB+ and he was subsequently signed to the famous Bpitch Control label founded by Ellen Allien.

As of 2010, Paul Kalkbrenner has tallied up more than 15 years of experience as a producer and live act. His third album Self (2004) marked the beginning of a new era. His melodic sound, with its affinity for grand emotional gestures, obeyed the logic of the dancefloor, but Self introduced a narrative aesthetic, serving as a soundtrack to a film that didn’t exist (at least, not yet).

Paul Kalkbrenner – Atzepeng

In early 2006, German director Hannes Stöhr, an avid fan of Self, decided to get in contact with Kalkbrenner. His idea was to produce a film about a Berlin techno musician during the new millennium, and Paul would compose the soundtrack. The two met, traded ideas and experiences, and soon after began working on the screenplay’s first draft. In the course of their exchange, Hannes had the realization that Paul should not just contribute the music, but that he would be the perfect choice as the film’s star. They decided to title the film Berlin Calling. The film, which offers an authentic depiction of the Berlin club scene and drug culture, received positive reviews and became an underground hit.

Paul Kalkbrenner – Azure

The soundtrack and especially the single “Sky and Sand” broke many sales records. That track in particular went gold in Belgium where it remained in the charts’ Top Ten for weeks. The 2009 DVD release of the film brought Paul to a new, much larger audience around the world. By the end of the year, Paul separated with BPitch Control after a decade-long relationship to take the next steps of his career alone. In early 2010 Paul completed a twelve-city live concert tour throughout Europe, followed by many headlining appearances at summer festivals.

More information and music on Paul’s MySpace. Buy his music on Paul

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SIRIUSMO – THE PLASTERER OF LOVE (Electro/House/Funk – Germany)

Berlin-based Siriusmo (aka Moritz Friedrich) has been on umstrum’s radar ever since he released his superb remix of Bodi Bill’s gorgeous track “Tip Toe Walk”.

The German composer / producer is actually not new to the scene. Over the past few years he has released a handful of albums and garnered a fair amount of praise amongst his peers. He works regularly with Modeselektor, either through collaboration or remixing but he has also collaborated with Breakbot, Chromeo, Scissor Sisters, Housemeister or David Rubato.

Siriusmo – High Together

Scissor Sisters – Invisible Light (Siriusmo Remix)

Siruismo’s latest EP, The Plasterer Of Love, was released at the beginning of the month and has already rave reviews from influential bloggers and music critics. This record really doesn’t take itself sirius-ly: it’s fun and danceable with a few great moments of electro/house genius. Don’t believe me? Judge for yourself! Here’s the amazing track “Einmal In Der Woche Schreien”…

Siriusmo – Einmal In Der Woche Schreien

Don’t tell me you’re not smiling and bobbing your head. This song has such a contagious beat, you cannot sit still while listening to it!

Wanna find out more about Siriusmo? Show him some love on MySpace. You can also buy his music on Siriusmo

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CHICKS ON SPEED @ SPRINGTEN (Electroclash/Alternative – Germany)

For over ten years Chicks on Speed have been blurring the boundaries between music, graphic art, video and fashion. Alex Murray-Leslie and Melissa Logan, who met at the Munich Art Academy, created CoS in 1997 to organise art exhibitions and host illegal parties. Later on they met Kiki Moorse, who was the third member of CoS until 2006, when she left to pursue a career in DJing and start a new music project, Bad French, with Andreas Reihse. They have also collaborated with many artists, including Anat Ben-David, Kathi Glas and A.L. Steiner.

Chicks on Speed – Buzz

After releasing a handful of critically acclaimed LPs, Chicks on Speed are now experimenting with a new form of music distribution. Since April 1st they are releasing one track per month absolutely for free (www.chicksonspeed.com) and performing live DJ sets across Europe to promote their new tracks. Last night they rocked springten with a colourful DJ set / happening during which they danced, sang, spinned records and even performed acrobatics on stage.. See some pics HERE.

Chicks on Speed – The Beat Is Happening

For Chicks on Speed, the traditional album is dead and that’s why they’ve decided to take advantage of this digital era by not having any record company between them and their fans. All new songs, produced by Dirty Disco Youth (aka Phil Speiser), will be given out for free on chicksonspeed.com and fans will even be able to download stems and create their own remixes, thereby becoming part of the creative process and artistic dialogue promoted by CoS.

For those of you who are new to Chicks on Speed, let’s go back in time a few years and listen to their now legendary collaboration with Canadian artist Peaches. “We Don’t Play Guitars”, or do we?

Chicks on Speed – We Don’t Play Guitars (Ft. Peaches)

On a side note, Chicks on Speed are also preparing for a major solo exhibition at Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre, 23rd may. Go to their page on MySpace for more info and all tour dates.

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MODERAT @ SPRINGTEN (Minimal/IDM – Germany)

What a great way to start this year’s festivies! For springten‘s opening concert last night, Moderat performed a spectacular audio-visual show in a magical setting on top of a hill that overlooks the whole city of Graz. Beautiful music and gorgeous visuals by Pfadfinderei.

Moderat is an electronic music project that started in Berlin as a collaboration between Sascha Ring (aka Apparat) and Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary (aka Modeselektor). Their first full length album took a long time to complete, due to some creative disagreements and different opinions on how they should work.

Moderat – A New Error

However, the final result is outstanding! With their debut album Moderat managed to please almost everybody and recevied rave reviews. Fully dedicated to the exploration of current dance music trends, they have put together an album that is eclectic and sophisticated but still retains a strong pop appeal.

Moderat – Rusty Nails (TRG’S Peaktime Remix)

Moderat – Les Grandes Marches (MMMatthias Remix) [download HERE]

Throughout the summer of 2010, they will be playing various festivals in Europe. First stop: springten! Show Moderat some love on MySpace and buy their album on Moderat

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ELECTROSEXUAL + SCREAM CLUB – BREAK YOU NICE (Electro – Germany)

As a producer, DJ and video director, Electrosexual has worked with the likes of Peaches, Robots In Disguise and Ssion. Deeply influenced by primitive analogic electronic music, he combines rough masculine basses, drum programming and old analog synths.

With releases and production on various albums, singles and compilations (including remixes for David Carretta, Mirah and Fil Ok), Electrosexual has now teamed up with Scream Club to release the Break You Nice/Screaming And Crying EP. This new release features vocals from: Shunda K. (Yo! Majesty), Zoe Vermillion (Vermillion Lies) and Mz Sunday Luv. It also includes exclusive remixes from Divider, Hard Ton and Leonard De Leonard…

Electrosexual and Scream Club – Break You Nice (Divider Remix)

Scream Club is Cindy Wonderful and Sarah Adorable. They blend together elements of hip hop, pop, punk, dance, glam rock, electro and rap. While embracing the glitz and glamour of mainstream culture, they still remain true to their D.I.Y. roots. Now located in Berlin, they have built a solid following around the world. due to their catchy songs, artsy music videos, and energetic stage shows. They also run their own label: Crunks Not Dead Records.

They have three full length releases “Don’t Bite Your Sister” (2004), “Life of a Heartbreaker” (2006) and “Big Deal” (2009) and are currently recording their fourth album, due out in 2010. It will be produced by Electrosexual and will feature many guest appearances. Over the years, SC have worked with the likes of Beth Ditto and The Shoes and their tracks have been remixed by Yuksek, Leonard deLeonard, Hard Ton and many more.

The Shoes Feat. Scream Club – Keep That Control

Electrosexual on MySpace – Scream Club on MySpace.

Buy Electrosexual and Scream Club’s brilliant Break You Nice / Screaming And Crying EP, with three remixes, on Electrosexual & Scream Club

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saturday nite with… ELLEN ALLIEN + APPARAT

Ellen Allien & Apparat – Leave Me Alone

BARK BARK DISCO – SONG FOR THE LOVERS (Indie/Pop – Germany/Malta)

Bark Bark Disco is a band from the island of Malta and the city of Berlin. Its members, Morris, Charlotte and Antonio, created the band in August 2009, just a week before they played their debut concert with Bonnie Prince Billy, in a masonic cemetery in Valletta. Allegedly it was this gig that actually pushed the band to formation.

Bark Bark Disco – Song for the Lovers

Their track “Song For The Lovers” is a deliciously simplistic pop song with the catchiest of hooks. This electropop sound, that they describe as bedroom pop, permeates their debut album Your Mum Says Hello (released in February 2010). You can download it for free on their website.

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BORIS DLUGOSCH – BANGKOK (REDLIGHT REMIX) (Electro/House – Germany)

Boris Dlugosch‘s memorable track “Bangkok”, released towards the end of ’09 and playlisted by BBC Radio 1′s Annie Mac amongst others, gets the remix treatment!

This version has NYC-based DJ/producer RedLight skip the whole intro to go straight to the point  and  highlight the melody, really pumping up the whole track.. That’s one the dancefloor!

Boris Dlugosch – Bangkok (Redlight Remix)

Boris Dlugosch on MySpace // RedLight on MySpace

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saturday nite with… BEN MONO

Ben Mono teams up with Jemeni and gets the remix treatment by the hand of Moullinex… Wow! Because what’s a bigger word than wow? Enjoy this perfect saturday night track and get your dance moves ready for tonight.

Ben Mono Feat. Jemeni – Jesus Was A B-Boy (Moullinex remix)

Check out Ben Mono’s MySpace and his first album, Hit The Bit, available on Ben Mono

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LALI PUNA – REMEMBER (Electronica – Germany)

After more than five years of silence, Lali Puna is finally back! Despite this long absence (Lali Puna’s last LP Faking The Books was released in 2004), the band’s impact on the climate of electronic rock music remains palpable and their followers all over the world are eagerly awaiting their new album.

Lali Puna – Remember

“Remember” is the first single taken off their forthcoming album Our Inventions, to be released in April 2010 on Morr Music.

Show Lali Puna some love on MySpace.

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