P.O.E.M.

POEM - Power Of Electronic Music - the aim of this show is not only to highlight electronic music in all its shapes and forms but also to highlight the value of this often times misunderstood and stigmatised music - in short, a new radio show that deals with all things electronica from interviews with musicians, authors, scholars etc. to testing out instruments and more

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Episode # 35: Industrielle Volksmusik for the 21st century – First ever academic conference on KRAFTWERK



On January 21st and 22nd 2015 a two-day event, titled: “Industrielle Volksmusik for the 21st century”, in essence an academic conference on German electronic music pioneers KRAFTWERK was held at Aston University, Birmingham, organised by Dr. Uwe Schutte (see Episode # 34).

The university asked attendees to refrain from recording any audio from the actual event. Therefore the following program does not contain any recordings from said event.

However, we were allowed to approach panelists and attendees during breaks. We managed to record quite a number of interesting interviews.

Interviewees included David Stubbs, a well-known music reviewer, who talked to us about his new book ‘Future Days’, a book on “Krautrock”, what Kraftwerk means to him and he even answered our off-topic questions about synthesizer legend Vince Clarke.

Other interviews include a brief one with panelist David Pattie about his book ‘Kraftwerk – Music non-stop’ and what his lecture was about. Furthermore we talked to people from Sweden and Australia as well as with Bill Wallsgrove, who owned a music label for a while. He also has a clear love for vinyl and is currently writing an in-depth book on vinyl collectors, titled: “Kings of Vinyl”. And that’s not all …















Photo credit: Nicole Valentin

Related links:

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Episode # 34: First ever academic Kraftwerk Conference - In conversation with organiser Uwe Schutte


Titled ‘ Industrielle Volksmusik für das 21. Jahrhundert’, the first ever international academic conference on Kraftwerk will take place at Birmingham’s Aston University on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22, January 2015.

The two-day event will explore the bands influence on virtually every other band ever connected to electronic music but will also have a deeper look at the band as a cultural phenomenon and much more.

The speaker list alone is a feast as it ranges from Cabaret Voltaire’s Stephen Mallinder to world reknown DJ and Ex – Visage member Rusty Egan plus a very special appearance by ex – Kraftwerk Member Wolfgang Fluer.

POEM’s Thomas Janak talked to conference organiser Uwe Schütte about the reasons behind the conference and more. 

LISTEN HERE

Friday, January 9, 2015

Episode # 33 - In conversation with Heaven 17's Martyn Ware

Multi-million-album-selling producer and a true synth – pioneer, Martyn Ware, is also a down to earth, plain-speaking gentleman.


The conversation on this POEM episode includes topics such as the music industry, the negatives of digital platforms such as Spotify etc, how to sell records, lecturing on the future of electronic music, the admiration for Vince Clarke and how it was to work with him, to write or not to write his memoirs, the still-not-so-great relationship with once Human League colleague Phil Oakley and news about Heaven 17 and B.E.F. – not to be missed.