photo: Luuk Wouters
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – as much as I appreciate Berlin’s party culture, I find it a shame that while sex and drugs seem to be all the rage, the rock’n’roll part is usually replaced with techno. It just doesn’t seem right when you consider the tremendous legacy of our Hauptstadt as the place where David Bowie used to share a flat with Iggy Pop and where he was inspired to record his astounding Berlin Trilogy. In fact, many other rock musicians followed into the footsteps of the late Starman and acknowledged Berlin as an inexhaustible source of creative energy, be it for its unique atmosphere or poignant history.
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by Michalina | Music
photos: Alejandro Arretureta
The countless attempts at interpreting what Tony Visconti characterized as David Bowie’s ”parting gift”, the album “Blackstar”, reflect our yearning to get closer to the mind of this sublime artist. A yearning which is all the more compelling as it can never be fulfilled.
Last January, a lot of people experienced an overwhelming sense of confusion and disbelief. Not only did we lose a man who influenced the way we viewed the world, but also, just two days before that, we got another stunning glimpse at his genius.
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by Michalina | People, Stories
The Berlin-based illustrator is at it again! You might know him from his iconic Berghain and nightlife illustrations that we totally fell in love with – so much, in fact, that we dedicated a whole exhibition in his honor, for which he created his biggest and most elaborate illustration to date. In his latest set of illustrations he pays tribute to the late David Bowie – a character so full of inspiration and creativity that he has influenced not only musicians and performers, but all kinds of artists all over the world. In the two new works by Nicola you can see two of Bowie’s most iconic looks: The Kansai Yamamoto outfit from the Aladdin Sane era that was inspired by Oscar Schlemmers Triadic Ballet, and the turquoise suit from the Ziggy Stardust era.
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by Frank | Art, Fashion
Excuse me for repeating myself. I have to emphasize though, just how much of Berlin’s spirit is shaped by the many different parts and past particles floating in the air. Stories that are engraved in house walls. Moments that are carrying on. All the tears cried in bars, all the words unspoken on park benchs, every fight in front of a house: worth telling and still palpable. When you walk around the city you don’t see them. But be sure to know: the city’s vibe is made of every single one of it.
To not get carried away in theories of time, let me get to the point.
Berlin has always been and still is a prominent place for poets, thinkers, musicians, architects, painters. There is something about this city that draws people in who expressed or express themselves artistically in any shape, way or form. Here is a selected list of musicians, who have experienced Berlin in one way or another. Next time you walk around in the city, maybe you feel a bit closer to it, knowing who has walked the streets before you. Get to know the famous exiles of Berlin – after the jump. Read on…
by Yasmin | Music, People, Stories
The latest episode of our Cinéma de Mode features the new short film L’Invitation Au Voyage by Romain Gavras for the new Louis Vuitton ad campaign. The fashion film stars American model Arizona Muse, who ends up at a fancy Venetian party, where David Bowie performs a harpsichord version of “I’d Rather Be High”. The song becomes the soundtrack for an extravagant ball, just before Muse opens her eyes as if awakening from a dream to find an empty room. Enjoy the film after the jump. Read on…
by Devid | Fashion, Videos
photo: Jens Wernscheid
In a time when so much in music is about being “retro”, it is really refreshing to have artists that are not trying to revive the past. This is certainly true for the Berlin-based indie band
Super 700. Just recently, they published their third album
Under the No Sky. In our interview with Super700 we have talked about music by other original artists: Sigur Rós, Elbow, David Bowie and NU. More after the jump.
by Jens | Music, People
Turmspringer are one of the important acts of Berlin’s underground Techno and House scene. Although they are regularly playing in several big clubs in Europe, they never missed to come back to their mother’s kitchen to please Berlin’s spoiled and electrifying audience. Here they still attend one-of-a-kind industrial backyard parties and Berlin’s most wanted after-hours.
However, electronic music is not all Robert Galic (alias Edgar Peng aka RAS) and Tim Brüggemann (alias Didier de la Boutique) care about. In fact, both are interested in a great variety of music, and they are deeply rooted in Funk & Soul, Jazz and Afro Beat.
In our interview with Robert from Turmspringer we have talked about music by David Bowie, M.I.A., Foremost Poets, Marvin Gaye and One Hand.
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by Jens | Music, People
photo: www.marcus-hoehn.de
As a DJ, producer and the founder of the label Stil vor Talent, Oliver Koletzki is one of most important figures in Berlin’s electronic music scene. Three years ago, he ventured into pop music with his album Großstadtmärchen. Now he released the successor Großstadtmärchen 2. The album features collaborations with artists like Jan Blomqvist, Axel Bosse, Jake the Rapper, Fran and Juli Holz. The result: electronic pop music as its best.
In our interview with Oliver Koletzki, we asked him about music by Shade Sheist, M.I.A., Nina Kraviz and David Bowie. More after the jump.
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by Jens | Music, People
David Bowie’s Berlin period became a myth of this city: In 1976, the Thin White Duke moved together with Iggy Pop in an apartment in Schöneberg. During the following months, Bowie recorded three of his most important albums here: the “Berlin Triology”, which also includes his maybe most beautiful song, “Heroes”. But David Bowie not only played music in Berlin. He and Iggy Pop also enjoyed the culture and the night life of the city – meaning: doing all kinds of drugs and having all kind of sex.
Tobias Rüther, editor at “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”, has written an amazing book about Bowie’s Berlin period. In “Helden”, Rüther not tells all the anecdotes and biographical stories, he also analyzes how the culture of Berlin influenced David Bowie’s music. More about that in an interview with Tobias Rüther after the jump.
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by Jens | Books, Music, People
„Pilocka Krach turns data urine into shaked martini with pear.“ In the music industry, there are not many biographies around that contain sentences like this one. But Pilocka Krach is much more than a conventional musician. Everyone who has seen her performing knows that.
Pilocka Krach creates music for people that do not want to grow up – and for those who simply diskodancing to funky trashy beats.
In our interview with Pilocka Krach we talked about music by Rock Steady Crew, Serge Gainsbourgh, Franz Liszt, David Bowie and Pilocka Krach.
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by Jens | Music, People
