Episode # 27: DEEP FOREST - Connecting cultures through "ethnic electronica"! In conversation with Eric Mouquet

A truly unique musical experience since its inception, DEEP FOREST continue to break new ground and stay fresh.

POEM talked to Deep Forest’s Eric Mouquet about their career, sampling, live performances, song-writing, influences and a lot more. 

LISTEN HERE

Episode # 26: Bringing the Mellotron into the 21st century

There are very few instruments so iconic that their name rings a bell with musicians across the globe. The MELLOTRON certainly is one such instrument. Made famous by artists such as Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Genesis, The Moody Blues, Kraftwerk and The Beatles (to name but a few) it will live on forever on the records of the aforementioned artists. But for one man that just wasn’t good enough! POEM’s Thomas Janak talks to “Mister Mellotron Germany” Klaus Hoffmann – Hoock about the Mellotron and Memotron, the 21^st century version of the legendary instrument.

Quite fitting as this year marks the 50^th anniversary of the Mellotron.

LISTEN HERE

Episode # 25: Soundtracks and Trailer Music explored

Peter Ebbinghaus, Cedric Garschagen and Stephan Brosch are the team behind “Soundtracks and trailer music” and as such provide a platform to aspiring film score composers- and producers. They highlight artists from around the world and give soundtracks and music composed for trailers the attention they deserve. POEMs Thomas Janak talked to the three gentlemen about their love for film music, how soundtracks and trailer music came about and much more.

LISTEN HERE to the show

Visit Soundtracks and Trailer Music HERE

Episode # 24: "Welcome To The Robots" - in conversation with DJ Raphael Krickow

“Welcome To The Robots” concerns itself with the history of electronic dance music in the early 80s. The first edition of the CD series WELCOME TO THE ROBOTS holds a selection of “Electro-Pioneers” on 2 CDS. These Electro-Pioneer productions were not about verses and classical arrangements, but rather instrumental pieces with voices and samples, which were used as sound effects. Putting surreal — and oftentimes melodious— computer sounds together in danceable rhythms was the main focus of the Electro-Pioneers.

The idea and the realization of WELCOME TO THE ROBOTS comes from Raphael Krickow, known for being part of the internationally successful DJ duo “The Disco Boys”. POEM’s Thomas Janak talked to Raphael about all the things mentioned here and more. Due to a technical error (recorder didn’t work first time round) parts of the conversation may sound a bit rushed but we wanted to make sure that all the information you would need and derserve to get you would get!

LISTEN HERE 

Visit Welcome to the robots HERE
Visit them on FACEBOOK

Episode # 23: In conversation with Robert Marlow

In the early 1980’s Robert Marlow enjoyed great success with songs like “Calling all destroyers” and “The face of Dorian Grey”. His “Blackwing Sessions” album received rave reviews and POEM’s Thomas Janak had a chance to talk to Robert about his career and possible future releases. In this down-to-earth conversation Robert talks about his performances, his life and music.
LISTEN HERE

Visit Robert's Facebook page HERE

Episode # 22 : Of consciousness and love - in conversation with Jon Anderson (the voice of YES)

Jon Anderson (website print screen)

On today's show we briefly talk to Jon Anderson, the voice of YES, who has also worked with Vangelis, Kitaro to name but a few. His positive and spiritual outlook helped him create amazing pieces of music. The conversation also touches on the songwriting process, falsetto and today's charts. This episode of POEM features some of his greatest work as well as highlighting songs by Kitaro and Vangelis. (Note: There are some minor drop-outs (moments of silence), which can happen when large files get compressed to mp3 but they only last a few seconds.)



LISTEN HERE

Episode # 21: BAS13 - Celebrating Depeche Mode and the heritage of Basildon

Basproductions once again celebrates the heritage of Basildon by putting on BAS 13, a three day festival celebrating all things Depeche Mode while not forgetting good old Vince Clarke. POEM’s Thomas Janak talked to one of the organisers, Gary Clark, a Basildon native who also happened to be a tour manager on the 2008 Yazoo Reconnected tour, about the amazing BAS13 festival and much more besides.

www.basproductions.co.uk

LISTEN HERE to this awesome conversation

Episode # 20: Happy Birthday POEM

We are celebrating our very first birthday with some great music! On April 17th 2012 we brought you our very first episode and have enjoyed many shows and guests ever since!

LISTEN HERE

Episode # 19 - Originals vs. Cover Versions

Undoubtedly, cover versions of famous songs can be simple rip offs BUT there are many cover versions of songs by incredible artists that were meant as a tribute/homage to the original composer/lyricist. On this episode we have a look at some cover versions and originals to highlight the fun that can be had by listening to these versions.Many of the songs revolve around POEM’s Thomas Janak’s musical hero Vince Clarke but the show also features artists like The Prodigy, Gene Simmons of Kiss and OneTwo.

LISTEN HERE

Episode # 18: Electronic Awakening - in conversation with A.C. Johner

A.C. Johner is an author of fiction, cultural journalist, and documentary filmmaker. His work has been featured in the Appalachian Anthology, Alien Skin, The Village Idiot, Dirty Cricket, Second Creation, and Mushroom Magazine.  In 2006 he received the Jill Loucks Award for anthropology. He is also the director of the documentary “Electronic Awakening” released in 2011, and is currently completing an ethnographic novel on the mysticism of electronic music culture.  He is dedicated to producing creative fiction, and written ethnography having to do with the shifting paradigm of human culture. AC talked to POEM’s Thomas Janak about the documentary, shamanism, transhumanism, spirituality and reads a passage from his soon-to-be-released book: “The Mighty Mutant Mechanical Lotus”. The conversation is all about how electronic music can alter and positively enhance the human experience.

LISTEN HERE

Also visit: www.acjohner.com and www.electronicawakening.com

Episode # 17: Krautrock and beyond

Peter Tibett (Born in 1955) first became aware of “space” when he was introduced to TV series such as “Space Patrol” or “Fireball XL5” as a young boy. As a teenager he came across artists like Guru Guru, Neu, Can and Tangerine Dream and he knew then how the soundtrack of the infinite universe sounded like. On POEM he talks about how cosmic music connects him to things and himself spriritually but also about how musicians of the time were aware of each other, how they possibly influenced each other and how the signing of many German artists to Virgin records allowed him to see that he is not the only “weird kid” listening to what was soon to be known as Krautrock!

LISTEN HERE

Episode # 16: The Electronic Music Alliance - in conversation with Janine Jordan

The Electronic Music Alliance is a public charity, non-profit organisation and global membership alliance uniting the electronic music industry and community to be the "Sound of Change": cultivating, collaborating and celebrating social responsibility, environmental stewardship , community building and volunteerism. POEM's Thomas Janak talked to EMA's Janine Jordan about the alliance, the stigmatisation of electronic music and more. Visit: www.ema-global.org 

Listen here

Episode 15 – Claudia Bruecken “The lost are found”

Claudia Bruecken first burst onto the scene with her band Propaganda, whose success may have been comparatively short lived but their musical legacy surely isn’t. In fact, Claudia Bruecken has appeared on many projects over the years and her solo career is thriving as well. Her new album “The lost are found” is out now and a  UK and Germany tour is about to start very soon POEM’s Thomas Janak talked to Claudia about the new album especially regarding its production values and song choosing aspects, the upcoming tour, her numerous collaborations over the years, how things have changed since Propaganda, being on tour with Erasure (in 2007) , living abroad, her admiration for Depeche Mode and other things.

Her new album is now available on CD, vinyl or download. Visit her official page:

www.theremusic.com

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE

Episode # 14 - "I dream of wires" - a 4 hour documentary about Modular Synths OUT SOON

POEM’s Thomas Janak talked to “I dream of wires” producer Jason Amm about the documentary and the work it entailed, future plans such as the announced shorter theatrical version and more but the conversation also touched on the modular synths themeselves, what they do to people, why they are still popular and why the resurgence of using modular systems is at an all time high. Note: The 4 hour hardcore version of the documentary is only available for a very short time and you should get your copy NOW! www.idreamofwires.org

LISTEN HERE to this informative interview

Episode 13 - Machine Boy

Although influenced by “Krautrock” Gods like Tangerine Dream,. Kraftwerk and Klaus Schulze, Machine Boy’s own electronic music is not very reminiscent of his German idols. In fact, it is quite unique - industrial and ambient at the same time.

MB is also an accomplished drummer whose influences include Ringo Starr as well as Motley Crew’s Tommy Lee.

On POEM he tells us about his music, how he creates it and more.

 LISTEN HERE