Soundcheck
Booming Berlin
In recent years, Berlin has become a destination for musicians thanks to its low cost of living, cheap rents, and creative atmosphere. Still, some critics wonder if the city has already peaked and the lifestyle that drew musicians here in the 1990s could soon be a thing of the past. Today, a debate over the Berlin music's present and future with musician Alec Empire, a founding member of the band Atari Teenage Riot as well as founder of Berlin's Digital Hardcore Recordings; and Birgit Herdlitschke, a filmmaker, journalist and editor of "Tracks," an arts program on Europe’s ARTE TV network.
Alec Empire's MySpace page
"Tracks" on Arte TV (in German)
Soundcheck's Berlin Blog
Always thought Atari Teenage Riot's/Alec Empire's "BURN BERLIN BURN!!" summed-up the underground agnst of that awesome city!
No, Berlin is by no means over, although the fact that you are letting Ute Lemper run wild every night with an orgy of 80-year-old music might confirm New York audiences' status as somewhat behind new contemporary/electronic/house music trends, many of which are actually American-made and better received in Europe (in Berlin, especially) than in New York!
Dear Soundcheck, would you please reveal the name of the Einstürzende Neubauten song you played on the 17th minute of this segment? Thank you.
SOUNDCHECK SAYS: You heard "Nagorny Karabach" from Einstürzende Neubauten's new album "Alles Wieder Offen"
Posted by: JS November 09, 2007 - 04:53PM
I had the pleasure of spending some time in Berlin in 1987. My friend lived in an apartment in Charlottenburg that had once been the refuge of the Baader Meinhof gang, and now was above a topless bar, and housed 2 musicians and 3 baby grand pianos. The band Tangerine Dream lived in the building next door. Nobody seemed to get up much before noon, and the parties got going after midnight. It was like the entire city was the East Village (back in that time), and the setting was appropriately dilapidated. It was awesome! I have been meaning to get back there, but I can't imagine it could possibly be the same. My friend has long since left...he complained that once the Wall came down, traffic was hell.
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