There are few artists operating in the house/techno milieu who offer much beyond functionality in their music. Those who bring more than this to the table always stand out from the crowd. Hamburg/Berlin duo Kollektiv Turmstrasse (Christian Hilscher and Nico Plagemann) are one of those rare acts whose music caters for both body and soul.
The duo’s cinematic take on 4/4 electronica has won praise from all quarters via releases on Diynamic, Connaisseurand their own Musik Gewinnt Freunde imprint. Debut album Rebellion der Träumer demonstrated a prowess beyond the realms of the dancefloor, laden with frosty electronic melody, downtempo rhythm and classy vocals. A busy remix schedule has seen them grace the likes of Cocoon, Get Physical, Soma, Poker Flat, Defected, Systematic and Traum, reworking multifarious acts including Trentemøller, Hot Chip and Terry Lee Brown Jr. along the way.
Watching their live show reveals how their music connects with crowds on an emotional level, and how its melodic and textural depth works in such synergy with its rhythmic backbone. Their show has been finding them in high demand across the globe, and has helped them to strengthen their relationship with Solomun’s Diynamic label – playing at their international parties while releasing music with them on a regular basis.
On 20 June, Kollektiv Turmstrasse will be at Barcelona’s Parc Del Forum for Diynamic Outdoor – OFF Week Edition alongside the entire Diynamic family. Diynamic Outdoor is the label’s summer open air concept. It started successfully on Ibiza last year. It will return in 2015 with more events at various places. The Off Week event in Barcelona will be the opening for the new summer season.
by Stephen Flynn
“It’s not about saving the world, but doing your own little portion for change!”
What’s your earliest ‘musical’ memory?
The earliest musical memory was to listen to our old cassettes we got from our siblings or the vinyl dad was listening to after breakfast: Moldau by Smetana! Unforgettable.
What was it that drove you to get into the music industry or was it a pretty organic thing for you guys?
There was no masterplan or wish to be successful in the music industry. In the beginning we had a large interest in the interaction of technology and music. At first the music was just our hobby. With time came the passion for it, and Kollektiv Turmstrasse is born out of this passion.
Who have been the most influential people in your musical development?
We had many people who influenced us. In the beginning there was a small club, which was a kind of living room for us. This club, named “Die Gerberei”, influenced us musically. We met many people there, and through these new contacts finally got our first gigs.
See also: Diynamic Announces Outdoor Ibiza 2015
So how do you influence one another?
Knowingly or unknowingly you always influence each other. We know each other for more than 17 years now. We have shared many experiences with each other, we shared our music. So in the end you definitely can say that we influenced each other and we still do.
Who inspires you outside of music?
Life in general, experiences, travelling, friends and family, impressions you make and you try to convert into your music.
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