Autechre ddt podcast 028 - NHK - Raster Noton Special

[Polymershapes]

http://www.doubled-t...opic.php?t=7880

 

http://podcast.doubl...ndex.php?p=home

 

Raster-Noton (Archiv für Ton und Nichtton) is meant to be a platform — a network

covering the overlapping border areas of pop, art and science. Emerged from the fusion

of the two labels Rastermusic and Noton (in 1999 respectively) they realize music

projects, publications and installation works. The common idea behind all releases is

an experimental approach — an amalgamation of sound, art and design. By now the

catalogue of the label consists of about 70 releases. Most of the projects follow the

concept of a series with contributions by very different artists such as William Basinski,

Alva Noto, Ivan Pavlov aka Coh, Ryoji Ikeda, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Carl Michael von

Hausswolff and most recently Kangding Ray, Cyclo, Frank Bretschneider and ANBB (Alva

Noto and Blixa Bargeld). Raster-Noton is run by Olaf Bender and Carsten Nicolai and

based in Chemnitz Germany.

 

In 2008 Raster-Noton started a new vinyl series titled 'Unun', a continuous series which

was kicked off by NHK's debut EP for the label (R-N111 'Unununium').

NHK are Kouhei Matsunaga and Toshio Munehiro from Osaka, Japan. While their musical

beginnings go way back to the early 90' was it only in 2006 when they started working

together as NHK. Influenced by early Hardcore Techno and Hip Hop and their very

experimental solo works lead to many collaborations and live shows with Asmus Tietchens

(new Kouhei/Tietchens split 12“ forthcoming on Important in September), Merzbow,

Conrad Schnitzler, Lesser, Sean Booth (Autechre), Mika Vainio (Pan Sonic), Max Turner,

Paul PM (Puppetmastaz) and Sensational (ex Jungle Brothers) with whom a full length

was released on Skam earlier this year (SKALP027 'Sensational meets Koyxen').

 

NHK describe their sound as raw and experimental, digital Techno. It is probably the total

opposite or just the way how these two japanese sound scientists define their productions

from a very different angle.

 

Kouhei Matsunaga nowadays lives in Berlin. Their tours and liveshows have become

increasingly rar because of that fact. Therefore we highly recommend to come to the show

and enjoy their abstract rhythms and noises plus the support liveshow done by m-inc-to

(aka Mr. Incognito) who has brand new material on his harddrive especially created for

that event.

 

But before NHK comes to town next tuesday, 06.09.2011 we prepared a few questions

and sent them over to Kouhei Matsunaga who had them answered:

 

DD-TOWN: Whats the idea behind the mix?

K: To get to know NHK's music.

 

DD-TOWN: How did this podcast come about, how did you work on it?

K: Toshio did some kind of dj mix with all the NHK music released on 12inch and some

unreleased titles.

 

DD-TOWN: One half of NHK is based in Berlin since quite some time now while

the other 50% still live in Japan. When you play live, you're going to tour all over Europe.

How are you influenced musically and personally by this geographic distance?

K: People say "Wow, whats up! How are you? Long time no see man". That feeling always

makes me happy.

 

DD-TOWN: The Raster-Noton label stands for a technical, futuristic view on music and

its development. Does this apply to your productions as well?

K: Not really... but of course we are listening to their releases.

 

DD-TOWN: The music scene in Japan is very variied and has a special status ever

since. For example, labels release limited editions packed with bonus material and

different artwork especially for the japanese market. What are the reasons for that?

K: Maybe just for fun...or as a bonus.

 

DD-TOWN: Thanks and see you in Dresden next week!

K: Bitte!

 

Words by Stefan Senf & Carl-Johannes Schulze

[Mellow U]

Shit yes! I LOVED the NHK stuff! So excited.