Based out of Berlin, Germany, electro-acoustic music composer and performer Hainbach (Opal Tapes, Seil Records) creates shifting audio landscapes The Wire called ‘One hell of a trip’. Using esoteric synthesizers, test equipment, magnetic tape and idiophones his music is both abstract yet very much a corporal experience. He has become known for his immersive live performances for and recently through his YouTube channel, where he brings experimental music techniques to a wider audience.
FACTS:
1: Flow state is the most desirable state to be in
2: Composition is the result of a flow state.
3: Cats are nice but make me sneeze.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
Going into the studio every morning/meeting with other musicians.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
I had piano lessons when I was kid and loved Bartok. Quickly I became infatuated with game music on the Amiga 500 and recorded that onto tape for my poor piano teacher to transcribe for me. Music as the sole focus of my life came when I played keyboards in a psychedelic rock band with my school friends – I got on stage for the first time and remember the first notes and that I got off stage again, nothing else. That flow state was the first moment of truth in my life, and music is my way to archive truth.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
Francis Bebey – Psychedelic Sanza
Iron Maiden – Fear of the Dark
Brecht/Weill – Die Dreigroschenoper
Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works 2
Pan Sonic – Aaltopiiri
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
Meeting friends from all over the world, sudden art appearing out of nowhere, dogshit.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
My studio.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
I would play with my kids, go for long walks and die early from a profound sense of unexplainable loss.
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
Haunt – Mind Freeze (cassette).
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Thom Yorke and a lot of dead composers.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
My sculpture/composition ‘Landfill Totems’ at PNDT Art Gallery Berlin. The first time I combined creating sculptures with music. Combining all the arts creates the most powerful experience.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
I love technology, old and new. It’s an inspiration and a tool.
11. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
I have a sister, she is happy about what I do, especially since I inspired one of her sons to create his own music YouTube channel.
Photo © HAINBACH
