Electronic Circus Update

You had asked for the latest news? Here is a small one.
In the current edition of the German "Keyboards" magazine (06/08), you can find a gleanings of the first "Electronic-Circus" festival (see search item " Electronic-Circus " within this blog).

The article has been written by colleague Bernhard Woestheinrich aka "Redundand Rocker". Notably, the guests are also mentioned (of which I have been one).

But even more important: the next "Electronic-Circus" is at the same place in Bielefeld probably in September 2009...

Dresden - august 1989

Today I will look some years back again to the year 1989.

Here are some comments written by myself for "The M.I.Rainbow Collection Vol.I":

".. in the following months Olaf Zimmermann (famous radio moderator) played my music on his radio show "Electronics" with increasing frequency. The series was accompanied by periodic "Electronics Live" festivals. Planning for the third one was underway; this time it was to be really big. Sponsored jointly by radio station DT 64 and the "Interessengemeinschaft Elektronische Musik - IGEM" ("Interest Group for Electronic Music"), it took place on the “Junge Garde" open-air stage in Dresden in East Germany. Of the four acts invited, two were the well-known East German groups Pond and Servi, and two were from West Germany, the main act Klaus Schulze and myself.

Sales and publicity were launched months in advance, and it was soon clear that the show would be a hit. In addition to the East German fans, many fans from Belgium, the Netherlands, and West Germany attended. Ultimately all 6800 seats of the Junge Garde were filled.

At this time such a festival in East Germany was somewhat of an adventure; still we had to admit that it was perfectly organized.

Finally the day arrived. I was accompanied by my current wife (eagerly taking photographs of the proceedings) and Mario Schoenwaelder. The border crossing into East Germany, the "German Democratic Republic", went very smoothly, particularly after the border guard checked things out over the telephone. The hotel and the reception were just perfect, only the weather was a bit recalcitrant: cool and cloudy.

I got to know Klaus Schulze personally for the first time. We had occasionally talked on the telephone, but the first personal contact was in Dresden. He turned out to be a very likable fellow, and we had a lot of fun.

...with Klaus Schulze photographed at the moment, where we looked into the same direction...

Set-up began early Saturday. The stage was gigantic, and we had plenty of room to spread out, which was useful considering the amount of equipment we had. Interviews were held after the rehearsals. I felt grateful and quite nervous, for I had never played before so many people. Klaus also seemed excited, as this was his first major performance in several years.

However, everything went perfectly. The audience was enthusiastic and the mood was fabulous. It was a one-of-a-kind experience.
In the evenings we sat in the hotel restaurant, talking and having fun. It was difficult to say goodbye..."

Please let me also add, that the situation had been of more historic importance, as we really could guess, but only a few months later, in november 1989, the Berlin Wall came down ...

Its time for "showdown"

The music of "Dresden 08/89" can now be listened at Last.Fm .

© Frits Couwenberg
© Sabine Kistenmacher

The Cosmic Cagibi in Berlin !

Meeting friends. Thus I would describe what I was experiencing on november 10th in Berlin.

This was the day before Klaus Schulze performed a concert after many years again (together with the absolute perfect and sympathic Lisa Gerrard) and this was also the day were I was visited by three guys from France which have probably more done for keeping electronic music alive over all past years than anybody else.

Their names: Olivier Bégué, Christian Piednoir and Michel Le Stum and they call their base "Cosmiccagibi".

We know each other since approx. 15 years. Via fanzines, Olivier was writing for, via many letters or eMails. They followed my musical carrier as well as my life and so we were sitting in Berlin-Steglitz in a nice Pizzeria and talked about everything: past, present and ... future.

We had a lot of fun and joy this evening and yes I would describe it as a special moment when we seperated many hours later: we seperated as friends. I know that.

The following evening we met us again; at the Schiller-Theater were Klaus Schulze was playing. Also this moment was very special because I could say "Hello" to Klaus for the first time after 19 (!) years.

This was not the last time I have met Olivier, Christian and Michel. I am sure, that we will see us again. Soon ... and as friends.

...with Christian Piednoir

Michel Le Stum

... with Olivier Bégué

© Christian Piednoir

Electronic-Circus

During my visit of the first "Electronic-Circus" festival in Bielefeld (Germany) in last september, Stefan Erbe did an interview with me for Lokalvision. The interview has now been published on the website of "Lokalvision" as well as on the "Electronic-Circus" website.
The interview is done in german language. So it may only be interesting for a part of you.
Anyway, many thanks again to Hans-Hermann Hess, Frank Gerber and of course Stefan Erbe.