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

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On January 21^st and 22^nd 2015 a two-day event, titled: “Industrielle Volksmusik for the 21^st 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:

Supersonic Festival

FUTURE DAYS book

Music Non-Stop book

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. 

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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. 

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Visit HEAVEN 17 HERE 

Episode # 32: In conversation with SHELTER

SHELTER had the pleasure of supporting ERASURE for eight dates during their European leg of the current ‘ Violet Flame’ tour.

It is not common at all that a support act is just as loved as the main act. Yes, the fact that Erasure’s Andy Bell collaborated with Shelter on a track surely worked in their favour, but Shelter truly worked the crowd during their 30 minutes set and have left fans wanting more.

POEMs Thomas Janak talked to the band about their Erasure experience, their fantastic album ‘Emerge’ and future plans.

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Episode # 31: BPM 2014

POEM visited the three-day-event BPM, an exhibition that deals with equipment for DJ's and electronic music conveyors. 

There was so much to see and to explore that the footage has to be broken down in two parts.

IN PART 1  POEM will be speaking to Harry Coat from the band Digitalis, who also showcases for Japanese giant ROLAND, about their hugely successful AIRA Range. The part will also feature an interview with the lovely people at KORG as well as an in-depth conversation with Numark/Denon marketing director Carl Dadkin. 

PART 2 will feature conversations/interviews with ABLETON's certified trainer Simon Lyon, VISUAL DJ's Dan Bachelor and, of course, POEM visited the famous MOOG stand.

Episode # 30: 'Elektro Moskva' - a fascinating look at Russia's electronic music and more

'Elektro Moskva' is a fascinating documentary about electronic music in Russia but touches on much more.

POEM's Thomas Janak talked to filmmakers Elena Tikhonova and Dominik Spritzendorfer as well as electronic music pioneer Alexei Borisov about the past, present and future of the music and indeed the country of Russia.

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Episode 29 - The art of synth-making - in conversation with "Error Instrument"'s Paul Tas

With the resurgence of hardware synths still going strong, many musicians and knob-twiddling-enthusiasts alike are interested in more than just your regular Korgs and Moogs. Gladly there is a market for smaller synthesizer makers such as Amsterdam based Error Instruments. 

POEMs Thomas Janak talked to Errormusic's Paul Tas about their creation the 'Fertas 1' , their ideas, influences and future.

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