Thank you to everyone who watched and listened to my live stream. Here is the video of my performance in case you missed it.
Thank you The Vale for providing a platform for me to perform and special thanks to Kate for organising and moderating the Facebook chat.
In my live stream, I used two images by two of my favourite visual artists. The incredible Volker Schütz provided the image in the bottom right corner entitled ‘Berührung’ (English: touch) which is also showcased at the Social Distancing Art Festival. The wonderful Violeta-inch Angelova stood model for this piece. In the top left corner you can see ‘Open Field’, a collaboration between the miraculous Bella Probyn and me, a collage between photography and poetry.
I presented my first two singles Air and Reform. Air uses field recordings of Manchester’s rain and comes with a windy instrumentation, whereas Reform contains field recordings of Manchester’s construction sites and comes with industrial drums and broken beats echoing urban spaces.
The other tracks were of producers that inspire me, mostly left-field electronica. These artists are all very idiosyncratic and think beyond genre. They are driven by passion for sound and a sense of adventure. I hope you will find them inspiring, too.
I live streamed this DJ Set on Twitch from my living room to celebrate the release of ‘Air and ‘Reform’ – you can listen to the audio recording of this DJ set on Mixcloud.
My second single ‘Reform‘ is out now on all online music platforms. Whereas ‘Air’ uses field recordings of rain and explores windy and airy themes, ‘Reform’ contains field recordings of Manchester’s construction sites and comes with industrial sounding drums and broken beats echoing urban spaces. Volker Schütz contributed an artwork that serves as polar twin to the ‘Air’ artwork. This is why I decided to release both songs in succession and shortly after one another. I hope you enjoy the contrast in sound and image! X
I recorded this live set in my living room. It starts with my first single ‘Air‘ (out now on all streaming platforms/in all online stores) and closes with my upcoming single ‘Reform‘ (out on the 5th of June). Whereas ‘Air’ comes with a windy and fluffy instrumentation and field recordings of rain, ‘Reform’ contains broken beats and industrial sounds combined with field recordings of construction sites echoing urban spaces. I also played a few unreleased songs.
I am happy to announce that my first single ‘Air‘ is now available on all streaming platforms and in online stores. The song contains field recordings of Manchester’s rain and comes with a light and fluffy instrumentation. Volker Schütz delivered the artwork for which the wonderful Hanna Sprengel stood model. I would recommend listening to ‘Air’ in the sunshine, in your garden or local park, and just zone out for a bit. Happy spring! X
‘If not at events, where do we meet now to sustain our community?’
I wrote a blog for Contact about how the electronic music scene sticks together as a community through the world wide web. Have a read, hope you enjoy. X
Often people associate Germany, my home country, with electronic music. However, I grew up in a more rural part in the Southwest of Germany near the French border where there are not many opportunities to develop oneself artistically.
When I moved to Manchester over two years ago, one of my missions was to develop my skills as an electronic music producer and to connect with like-minded people.
I studied at the School of Electronic Music and started going to club nights, such as Kiss Me Again and Bollox. I started producing and performing under my stage name Industries. I was drawn to the idea of community and people operating in a DIY ethos that is based on the principle of necessity. Whenever I needed help with my productions, I could ask my friends from the School of Electronic Music. Over time and through being out and about I have met a couple of producers and DJs in the scene who became friends and some even collaborators. In each case, building a friendship and community has always been more important than a product that might come out of a collaboration.
One thing that we all have in common is that we are juggling different responsibilities: some have multiple (part-time) jobs, some are freelancers (and might have a part-time job), some have family, some are still in education. With the coronavirus crisis, the event industry is struggling hard and many friends of mine have lost a lot of work and money. But if not at events, where do we meet now to sustain our community and support each other in this difficult situation? Here are a few examples of how electronic music lovers have used the world wide web to connect with one another, share their passion and help others out.
Many clubs, record labels, producers and DJs started live streaming to audiences at home.
In Berlin promoters, clubs and artists have created the world’s largest virtual club #UnitedWeStream streaming daily from different night clubs in Berlin.
Some companies and producers started giving away freebies for music production: Legowelt offers a Quasimidi Sirius sample pack based on a German digital synthesizer from 1998, on Synthtopia you can download free modular synthesizers, Korg has made the iKaossilator available as app for iPhone and iPad
German ambient artist Hainbach put his very own sample pack Isolated Loopson Bandcamp and you can pay what you want.
Bandcamp weaved all their fees for one day so that 100% of the income went straight to the artists, which came to over $4,300,000 in total
In one Facebook group I am in, one of Manchester’s finest DJ collective uploaded unreleased demos from their upcoming EP to keep us dancing while being at home
Limbo Radio, arguably Manchester’s best underground radio station where I have played a few times, moved from their studio space and asked associated producers and DJs if to record sets form home to keep the music going.
I am also part of one Facebook group that has the mission to save the scene – here people are actively naming problems the current situation causes, needs that we have and what we demand the government to provide in response.
All the above examples show that, despite the electronic music scene being in a very precarious situation, members of the scene ranging from software companies, labels, promoters, club owners to producers and DJs come together in digital spaces to connect, share music, software, ideas, and have constructive discussions on how to move forward to ensure our future. I know that things are not easy now, but I also feel excited for the future and all the good things to come out of this situation!
Thank you Stadtschenke a Choperia for letting me deejay for 4ish hours last Friday. I went to this bar since I was a teenager and it was so much fun. I started with some ambient tunes and then gradually moved to more beatdriven electro / techno / house / electronica tracks as the night went on and on.
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Pictures by Volker Schütz except last picture which was taken by Wilfredo Torpedo.
Thank you Automat and Volker Schütz for giving me the opportunity to play in my hometown.
It was the first gig in this art space and my first full length gig back home — an exciting experiment, all arranged last minute DIY punk style. Thank you for all the familiar and new face who came, listened and stayed for beers until late. It was a pleasure!
We also old our first couple of vinyl art pieces containing a download slip for Air. The music is by me, the artwork by Volker.
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Pictures by Volker Schütz, except last two which were taken by me.
