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Founded by Gunther Buskies (B for Buskies) in 2005, Bureau B first started to re-release quality recordings of German Schlager artists like Gitte Hænning with the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band and Marlene Dietrich with The Burt Bacharach Orchestra. In 2009, Bureau B also began to re-release music from the Sky Records back catalogue, the German record label that was specialising in releasing groundbreaking krautrock and kosmische musik as well as many legendary ambient, industrial, new age and art rock albums during the 1970’s and early 1980’s. Thanks to Bureau B it is now possible to listen again to the work of electronic music innovators like Cluster, Conny Plank, Brian Eno, Dieter Moebius and Hans-Joachim Roedelius. In 2012, the label expanded its repertoire by re-releasing a series of important out-of-print, solo albums by Kluster founding member Conrad Schnitzler as well as recordings from legendary Neue Deutsche Welle label Ata Tak, including records by artists such as D.A.F., Andreas Dorau, Der Plan and Pyrolator. Besides unearthing timeless music, the North German company also publish records from unique contemporary bands like Tarwater, Sølyst and Kreidler. The synth and electronics player, Detlef Weinrich from Kreidler has been kind enough to put together a Carhartt WIP Radio show using Bureau B material, featuring his own favourites as well as music from his band. To find out more about his music selection and Bureau B, we had a chat with the Düsseldorf-based artist, also known as Tolouse Low Trax for uncompromising but deeply touching electronic midnight music.
Hey Detlef, can you introduce yourself and your artistic work a bit for us?
Detlef Weinrich: I studied sculpting at the Academy of Arts in Düsseldorf, at the same time I mutated into a musician, before I was just a record collector. Kreidler got a lot attention in a short period of time, I was really busy so my studies suffered a little. On the other hand the work with music had a positive impact on my artistic work. By this time I worked a lot with fine artists which brought me back to it and gave me a new connection to art. In 2004 I started to be a host at Salon des Amateurs which kind of changed the perspective. Basically every night is an art installation. My solo project Tolouse Low Trax grew a lot at the beginning of the Salon as well.
You are part of the band Kreidler and also active as Tolouse Low Trax - can you explain to us shortly the difference between the two projects in terms of sound and vision?
Detlef Weinrich: When it comes to Kreidler I really appreciate working together and the way we interact with each other, which comes with compromises and the fact that you have to pace your own ideas sometimes. Contrary to Tolouse Low Trax where I am solely responsible for the realization of my own vision, which is the bigger challenge in the end. I appreciate both.
On what future releases are you currently working on?
Detlef Weinrich: Right now, I work on a new record. I also created the music for the video work of the New Yorker artist Nicolas Guagnini with the name "Porcelain and Volcano". It is supposed to drop at the beginning of next year. Pretty extreme piece of music.
Your band Kreidler has released three album's on Bureau B - what makes each of them special and what makes Bureau B special for releasing them?
Detlef Weinrich: Bureau B is a good fit for Kreidler. Especially because of the many reissues, which of course are a big part of our musical identity. We feel like we are in good hands. Of course there are always certain expectations and ideas when it comes to a new record but most of the time it develops in a complete opposite direction, which is good. You do what you are capable of.
Which of the albums you released (solo or with Kreidler) are you most proud of? And why?
Detlef Weinrich: I am pretty satisfied with my Corridor Plateau record which I have done for an exhibition with the same name. Looking back, it surprises me that I was able to record everything within two days and still managed to reach such musical freedom. I sort of surprised myself and this is what you always aim for.
How did you select the tracks for the Carhartt WIP Bureau B Radio show?
Detlef Weinrich: After personal preferences and favorites (favorite records) which influenced me as an artist.
Can you send us a picture that illustrates best your current state of mind to post along with your answers?
What are three albums out of the Bureau B catalogue that you'll absolutely never get tired of listening to?
Detlef Weinrich: Die Partei, Wunderland by Pyrolator and Möbius & Beerbohm Double Cut.
What are your biggest musical influences?
Detlef Weinrich: Conny Plank, Dieter Möbius and Muslimgauze.
What kind of music would you release in a world without electricity and how would it sound?
Detlef Weinrich: Preferably like Moondog but this seems out of reach.
Please recommend two artists to our readers, which you feel deserve their attention.
Detlef Weinrich: Bourbonese Qualk, Rex Illusivi and K.Leimer.
Do you have any idols when it comes to music?
Detlef Weinrich: Ghedalia Tazartes, because the music sounds like 500 years back in the past and at the same time like 500 years in the future.
If you could be in any band, living or dead, for a day which band would it be?
Detlef Weinrich: Aksak Maboul in the early years.
What is the most obscure record you have in your collection and why?
Detlef Weinrich: Problemi d Oggi - a Italian Library Record. Very minimalist electronic music from the 70s and pretty far ahead for the time.
What old albums you rediscovered lately and what makes them special?
Detlef Weinrich: David Behrman: Leapday Night. Forever one of my favorite records which I rediscover every time. Behrman is minimal composer from the environment of Merce Dunningham. Usually very experimental music, Leapday Night on the other hand can't be beaten when it comes to approachable beauty.
What are some of your favorite places to hang out in your hometown Düsseldorf?
Detlef Weinrich: Savas, a Greek restaurant with an open kitchen until 5am. Cafe Portugues provides you with a wide variety of Portuguese specialties for a fair price.