Iftah and Olaf from Skinnerbox met in 2002 at a spontaneous, improvised jam session that featured a keyboard, a guitar and a kazoo. Since then, much has changed in regard to the instruments, but when performing live, Skinnerbox still plays exclusively improvised music, always crossing the boundaries of electronic music.
More about Skinnerbox in an interview after the click.
Please introduce yourself: where did you grow up, where did you live and why did you come to Berlin?
We are Iftah and Olaf, Iftah was born in the rural north of Israel and came to Berlin in 2002. Olaf was born in Berlin and spent most of his lifetime there.
Beside electronic music, to which kind of music do you listen to?
Basically everything that catches our ear. From Neil Young’s “folk noodeling” to modern classical music, from good old baroque to 70´s and 80´s rock and funk.
Do you follow an additional profession beside music?
Music is occupying 99% of our time… We do intend to develop electronic musical instruments, as the “sbx 2049” (a drum machine that we developed using max4live, will be released around summertime) but that’s too early to talk about it ;).
Then we spent almost one year in developing the “sbx zero”, an fm-synth with highly advanced features and complete analogue interface with more than 100 knobs, sliders and buttons. The prototype is going to be “finished” in summertime also…
Which where your best performances?
“Bachstelzen slowest set ever” is definitely one of our high points. you can listen to it at here.
Is there a major pop star you would like to work with?
Santigold and Stevie Wonder!
Berlin is not only one of the most important cities for electronic music, it is also a capital of classical music. What is your connection to this kind of music?
Last century’s classical music has a very direct impact on our productions. Composers such as Ligeti, Varese, Ravel, Respighi have inspired us a lot. Those who look for some “easter egg” could find some quotes of John Cage’s “Etudes astrales” in one of our tracks.
Olaf: I studied classical piano which gave me the technical training that I took further into improvised playing. Before that, I learned to play the accordion for several years. Classical music was always on the schedule, and most of it stayed in my mind as adorable and very, very well done (composed) music.
What are your favourite places in Berlin?
Our studio, Golden Gate, El Daia Snack, Kolonnenbrücke.
What are you plans for the future?
The next thing coming up is our 5th birthday as what we are. For that occasion we’re going to “release” a little surprise pack for everyone who likes what we do.
What does freedom mean to you?
Vespa.
Skinnerbox’s next performance is on Friday, June 25, at 23:00 at Fusion’s Bachstelzen Floor.
