http://blogs.independent.co.uk| Blogs from the Independent newspaper - news, views and features from the world's most free-thinking newspaper| Fri, 24 May 2013 02:00:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2| en hourly 1 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/06/25/monika-kruse-talks-about-the-traces-of-her-past-that-influenced-her-new-album/ http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/06/25/monika-kruse-talks-about-the-traces-of-her-past-that-influenced-her-new-album/#comments Mon, 25 Jun 2012 08:46:06 +0000 Marcus Barnes http://blogs.independent.co.uk/?p=25501 Monika Kruse is widely-regarded as a woman who is at the top of her game. As a DJ and producer, she is known around the globe for playing techno – however, like most people, her musical background and tastes come from a variety of sources. This is reflected in her new album, Traces, which is takes a different tact to her usual productions. It's a great collection of music, and is full of emotion due to her personal circumstances while the album was being made.]]> http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/06/25/monika-kruse-talks-about-the-traces-of-her-past-that-influenced-her-new-album/feed/ 0 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/06/22/ellen-allien-music-fashion-and-individuality/ http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/06/22/ellen-allien-music-fashion-and-individuality/#comments Thu, 21 Jun 2012 23:00:19 +0000 Marcus Barnes http://blogs.independent.co.uk/?p=25485 During the first stages of my love affair with house and techno, one of the tracks that really stood out for me was 'The Kiss' by Ellen Allien. ]]> http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/06/22/ellen-allien-music-fashion-and-individuality/feed/ 0 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/06/15/burnski-on-new-single-let-it-be-and-finding-a-renewed-focus-in-berlin/ http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/06/15/burnski-on-new-single-let-it-be-and-finding-a-renewed-focus-in-berlin/#comments Fri, 15 Jun 2012 02:30:41 +0000 Marcus Barnes http://blogs.independent.co.uk/?p=25017 Burnski is a talented young producer who hails from one of the biggest hotbeds of production in the North of England: Leeds. Last year he relocated from the UK to Berlin, another city which plays host to a large number of musicians, and he hasn't looked back since. His recent release on Birmingham based One Records, 'Let It Be' (featuring Beckford), has caused quite a stir, while he continues to put out a constant flow of high quality electronic music on a variety of other respected labels.]]> http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/06/15/burnski-on-new-single-let-it-be-and-finding-a-renewed-focus-in-berlin/feed/ 2 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/04/30/fritz-kalkbrenner-when-music-becomes-more-than-just-a-hobby/ http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/04/30/fritz-kalkbrenner-when-music-becomes-more-than-just-a-hobby/#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:03:45 +0000 Marcus Barnes http://blogs.independent.co.uk/?p=23604 Fritz Kalkbrenner is successful producer from Berlin, that ever-trusty hub of creativity. Although he's been making music since he was in his teens, Fritz initially pursued a career in music journalism, before he found the success of himself and his older brother, Paul, meant that he could ditch the journalism to become a full-time musician. He's a famous face in Germany and recently put his talents to work on an excellent mix CD for the Suol label. A retrospective mix that represents his various influences, it includes everything from Boo Williams through to Pete Rock and CL Smooth. ]]> http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/04/30/fritz-kalkbrenner-when-music-becomes-more-than-just-a-hobby/feed/ 0 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/03/14/gavin-herlihy-from-music-to-journalism-and-back-again/ http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/03/14/gavin-herlihy-from-music-to-journalism-and-back-again/#comments Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:41 +0000 Marcus Barnes http://blogs.independent.co.uk/?p=21731 Having struggled to break into music as a youngster, Gavin Herlihy turned his hand to writing and became a journalist, which in turn helped facilitate a move back into music - first DJing and, eventually, production. He's certainly not the only music journo to have ever made the transition from writing about it to making it (or juggling both professions), but he's been making strides in terms of his musical output in recent months. ]]> http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/03/14/gavin-herlihy-from-music-to-journalism-and-back-again/feed/ 0 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/12/30/mike-huckaby-on-technology-music-production/ http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/12/30/mike-huckaby-on-technology-music-production/#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:00:28 +0000 Marcus Barnes http://blogs.independent.co.uk/?p=19902 The word seminal is often misused these days, but for Tresor it's a fitting title for a highly influential and long-standing name within techno. I spoke to Mike Huckaby, a Detroit legend who put together a special anniversary mix for Tresor and has also played at the club many times over the years, about the impact advances in technology have had on electronic music...]]> http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/12/30/mike-huckaby-on-technology-music-production/feed/ 3 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/12/15/alex-niggemann-lifts-the-lid-on-his-forthcoming-album/ http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/12/15/alex-niggemann-lifts-the-lid-on-his-forthcoming-album/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:38:52 +0000 Marcus Barnes http://blogs.independent.co.uk/?p=19384 A few months ago I downloaded a mix by German house and techno wiz Alex Niggemann - typically when I enjoy a mix by someone I investigate their background and discover more of their music and other mixes... which is exactly what happened with Alex.I then saw him DJing at a party held during the Amsterdam Dance Event back in October and subsequently heard he was working on album. I asked Alex for a little progress report on what will be his first attempt at a Long Player - he also kindly donated an exclusive hour segment from his set at the infamous Watergate club in Berlin, recorded just a few weeks ago at the Clubmotoren event. ]]> http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/12/15/alex-niggemann-lifts-the-lid-on-his-forthcoming-album/feed/ 0 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/12/11/seth-troxler-on-london-life-being-engaged-and-an-impending-detox/ http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/12/11/seth-troxler-on-london-life-being-engaged-and-an-impending-detox/#comments Sun, 11 Dec 2011 10:00:51 +0000 Marcus Barnes http://blogs.independent.co.uk/?p=19362 When Seth Troxler moved to London most of my friends would have joked that it made it easier for me to stalk him – as they are well aware, he is without a doubt my favourite DJ and I’m not afraid to admit that. ]]> http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/12/11/seth-troxler-on-london-life-being-engaged-and-an-impending-detox/feed/ 3 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/09/12/how-hawkish-is-joerg-asmussen/ http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/09/12/how-hawkish-is-joerg-asmussen/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:23:29 +0000 Ben Chu http://blogs.independent.co.uk/?p=16078 Germany's nominee for the vacant European Central Bank post believes it is firmly in Germany's economic interest for the eurozone to survive. He has also spoken with genuine respect for the measures that Greece has made over the past year to get its public finances into shape.]]> http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/09/12/how-hawkish-is-joerg-asmussen/feed/ 0 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/08/01/pains-a-laugh-and-pleasure-makes-em-cry/ http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/08/01/pains-a-laugh-and-pleasure-makes-em-cry/#comments Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:54:51 +0000 Ben Chu http://blogs.independent.co.uk/?p=14715 It is a mistake to assume that cabaret is (or should be) straight political satire in the manner of, say, Peter Cook or The Thick of It. The scene has always been powered as much by sexual subversion as the political variety.]]> http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/08/01/pains-a-laugh-and-pleasure-makes-em-cry/feed/ 1