Weltklang
Encyclopedia
Weltklang is a German electronic music project that was formed in 1980.
Current members are Thomas Voburka and René Steuns.
, German Democratic Republic
in 1980.
The mastermind behind Weltklang is Thomas Voburka, who also founded the Berlin based electronic music label Exil-System in 1979.
Weltklang is particularly noted for the innovatively sparse and yet classic Minimal wave
track “VEB Heimat”, which was originally released in 1980.
Inspired by the fast rise of Neue Deutsche Welle
and by the Punk subculture
's DIY attitude Voburka's main principle was to remove all dispensable ornamentation and polish from his music, and to use the simplest and most minimalist structures. On "VEB Heimat" for instance he made sole use of a simple Roland SH09 Synthesizer line - a very stripped down monophonic analogue synthesizer from Roland Corporation
's classic SH-series.
The song itself was based upon a very minimalist, radically filtered bass sequence and a yet destructive, (un)musical arrangement. In addition to this sparse backing, the track featured a furious and repetitive vocal line by Voburka, reiteratively quoting an excerpt from the national anthem of Austria, Land der Berge, Land am Strome
.
Whereas the first half of the song title “VEB Heimat” refers to the socialist-tinted expression "Volkseigener Betrieb
" (a state owned workplace or establishment in the German Democratic Republic
) the second word “Heimat
” is a thoroughly and hard to translate German term, comparable to "homeland" in English.
and Minimal Electro music scene.
Today Voburka's Weltklang project is seen as one of the true classics in electronic music
and for many DJs and Musicians “VEB Heimat” has grown to an all time favourite.
Weltklang has since then often been referred to by artists such as DJ Hell
or Optimo (Espacio)
. In 2003 for example - 23 years after its original release date - "VEB Heimat" made it into the top 3 of DJs Hell's charts of the year.
Ever since its original release in 1980 “Veb Heimat” has been re-released on numerous occasions, primarily for compilation albums. Apart from its integration in compilation albums such as 80's Minimal Electronics (Volume 1), Return Of Flexi-Pop 3 (Tribute To Flexi-Pop 13) and The Call Of The Banshees, in 2003 Veb Heimat was also used as opening track for DJ Hell's hugely successful New Deutsch compilation which was released on International DeeJay Gigolo Records
.
Since then Weltklang have produced various remixes for artists such as Aeronautica, Alter Ego, Asmodeus X, Fall Of Saigon, Kinder Aus Asbest, Mono 45UPM, P1/e, Plastic Japanese Toys, Soldout and Sonnenbrandt as well as the somewhat obscure "Liebesgrüsse aus Ost-Berlin" compilation album. Not only for their original Material but also for their remixes Weltklang remain true to their minimalist and deconstructive DIY approach.
, Germany
, Sweden
and most recently Ukraine
.
Remixes:
Tracks Appear On:
Unofficial Releases:
Current members are Thomas Voburka and René Steuns.
Background
Weltklang was formed in the East-German town of SchwerinSchwerin
Schwerin is the capital and second-largest city of the northern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The population, as of end of 2009, was 95,041.-History:...
, German Democratic Republic
German Democratic Republic
The German Democratic Republic , informally called East Germany by West Germany and other countries, was a socialist state established in 1949 in the Soviet zone of occupied Germany, including East Berlin of the Allied-occupied capital city...
in 1980.
The mastermind behind Weltklang is Thomas Voburka, who also founded the Berlin based electronic music label Exil-System in 1979.
Weltklang is particularly noted for the innovatively sparse and yet classic Minimal wave
Minimal Wave
Minimal Wave is a contentiously named genre of electronic music which focuses on electronic, pre-MIDI instrumentation and themes of sincere, rather than ironic, detachment...
track “VEB Heimat”, which was originally released in 1980.
"VEB Heimat"
Weltklang's first release, the 7” single “VEB Heimat/Hoffnung / Sehnsucht ??” was brought out in 1980.Inspired by the fast rise of Neue Deutsche Welle
Neue Deutsche Welle
Neue Deutsche Welle is a genre of German music originally derived from punk rock and New Wave music...
and by the Punk subculture
Punk subculture
The punk subculture includes a diverse array of ideologies, and forms of expression, including fashion, visual art, dance, literature, and film, which grew out of punk rock.-History:...
's DIY attitude Voburka's main principle was to remove all dispensable ornamentation and polish from his music, and to use the simplest and most minimalist structures. On "VEB Heimat" for instance he made sole use of a simple Roland SH09 Synthesizer line - a very stripped down monophonic analogue synthesizer from Roland Corporation
Roland Corporation
is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972, with ¥33 million in capital. In 2005 Roland's headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today it has factories in Japan,...
's classic SH-series.
The song itself was based upon a very minimalist, radically filtered bass sequence and a yet destructive, (un)musical arrangement. In addition to this sparse backing, the track featured a furious and repetitive vocal line by Voburka, reiteratively quoting an excerpt from the national anthem of Austria, Land der Berge, Land am Strome
Land der Berge, Land am Strome
Land der Berge, Land am Strome is the national anthem of Austria.Nineteen days before his death on December 5, 1791, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed his last complete work, the Freimaurerkantate, K. 623. In parts of the printed edition of this cantata there appeared the song K. 623a ""...
.
Whereas the first half of the song title “VEB Heimat” refers to the socialist-tinted expression "Volkseigener Betrieb
Volkseigener Betrieb
The Volkseigener Betrieb was the legal form of industrial enterprise in East Germany...
" (a state owned workplace or establishment in the German Democratic Republic
German Democratic Republic
The German Democratic Republic , informally called East Germany by West Germany and other countries, was a socialist state established in 1949 in the Soviet zone of occupied Germany, including East Berlin of the Allied-occupied capital city...
) the second word “Heimat
Heimat
Heimat is a German word that has no simple English translation. It is often expressed with terms such as home or homeland, but these English counterparts fail to encapsulate the true meaning of the word.-The meaning of Heimat:...
” is a thoroughly and hard to translate German term, comparable to "homeland" in English.
Response
Not hugely successful at first, the unique and futuristic sounding “VEB Heimat” managed to equal an international cult status over the following years, particularly within the Minimal waveMinimal Wave
Minimal Wave is a contentiously named genre of electronic music which focuses on electronic, pre-MIDI instrumentation and themes of sincere, rather than ironic, detachment...
and Minimal Electro music scene.
Today Voburka's Weltklang project is seen as one of the true classics in electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
and for many DJs and Musicians “VEB Heimat” has grown to an all time favourite.
Weltklang has since then often been referred to by artists such as DJ Hell
DJ Hell
This article is about Helmut Josef Geier. You may also be looking for Darryl Hell.Helmut Josef Geier, professionally known as DJ Hell is a German house-techno DJ...
or Optimo (Espacio)
Optimo
Optimo was a weekly Sunday-night club based in Glasgow, Scotland at the Sub Club on Jamaica Street, as well as a collective moniker for the night's resident DJ duo. Having run every week since it was founded in 1997, on Thursday 11 March 2010, it was announced on the official facebook page that...
. In 2003 for example - 23 years after its original release date - "VEB Heimat" made it into the top 3 of DJs Hell's charts of the year.
Ever since its original release in 1980 “Veb Heimat” has been re-released on numerous occasions, primarily for compilation albums. Apart from its integration in compilation albums such as 80's Minimal Electronics (Volume 1), Return Of Flexi-Pop 3 (Tribute To Flexi-Pop 13) and The Call Of The Banshees, in 2003 Veb Heimat was also used as opening track for DJ Hell's hugely successful New Deutsch compilation which was released on International DeeJay Gigolo Records
International DeeJay Gigolo Records
International DeeJay Gigolo Records is a German electronic music record label run by techno artist DJ Hell . The label was founded in Munich in 1996 as an affiliate of label Disko B. It is now based in Berlin and is Germany's most successful electronic music record label, specialising in electro,...
.
2004 - Present
On the occasion of Weltklang's 25th anniversary, in 2004 Voburka decided to reform the project, together with London based programmer, producer and engineer René Steuns.Since then Weltklang have produced various remixes for artists such as Aeronautica, Alter Ego, Asmodeus X, Fall Of Saigon, Kinder Aus Asbest, Mono 45UPM, P1/e, Plastic Japanese Toys, Soldout and Sonnenbrandt as well as the somewhat obscure "Liebesgrüsse aus Ost-Berlin" compilation album. Not only for their original Material but also for their remixes Weltklang remain true to their minimalist and deconstructive DIY approach.
On Stage
Furthermore from 2005 on Weltklang have played various, sporadic live shows throughout Europe, with critically acclaimed gigs in BelgiumBelgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and most recently Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
.
Discography
Releases:| Release | Format | Label | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weltklang - Veb Heimat / Hoffnung Sehnsucht ?? | 7" | Exil-System | 1980 |
| Weltklang - Exil-System Remixed | 12" | Pripuzzi | 2005 |
| Weltklang - Veb Heimat (Demo) | 7" | VOD | 2007 |
Remixes:
| Release | Track | Format | Label | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liebesgrüsse Aus Ost-Berlin | Mono 45UPM - Romance Adieu (Weltklang Remix) | 12" | Exil-System | 2006 |
| A Dark Wave From The Black Sea | Aeronautica - Rocket Bomb (Weltklang Remix) | CD | Exil-System | 2007 |
| The Greater Key The Greater Key The Greater Key is a compilation of remixes of recordings of the electro-industrial band Asmodeus X. It was released in North America through Next-Gen Records on July 11, 2008. This two-disc style release contained 20 tracks, one of which was a re-release and a second track that was a new release... |
Asmodeus X Asmodeus X Asmodeus X is an American electro-industrial band whose music is frequently characterized as a mixture of EBM and darkwave and typically includes the use of environmental sampling. Their style is said to be influenced by the music of Laibach, Kraftwerk, Death in June, and Front 242, among others... – Typhoon (Weltklang Remix) |
CD | Latex Records | 2008 |
| Classic Electro | P1/E – 49 Second Dance (Weltklang Remix) | CD | Electro Emotions | 2008 |
| Classic Electro | Mono 45UPM – Romance Adieu (Weltklang Remix) | CD | Electro Emotions | 2008 |
| Classic Electro | Kinder aus Asbest – Hey Engel (Weltklang Remix) | CD | Electro Emotions | 2008 |
| Classic Electro | Sonnenbrandt – Entweder/Oder (Weltklang Remix) | CD | Electro Emotions | 2008 |
Tracks Appear On:
| Release | Track | Format | Label | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call Of The Banshee | Weltklang - VEB Heimat | CD | Sub Terranean | 1994 |
| Deutsch Magazine (By Terranova) | Weltklang - VEB Heimat | CD | - | 2003 |
| New Deutsch | Weltklang - VEB Heimat | 2LP | International Deejay Gigolo | 2003 |
| New Deutsch | Weltklang - VEB Heimat | CD | International Deejay Gigolo | 2003 |
| The Japanese Gigolo Inferno | Weltklang - VEB Heimat | 2CD | Music Mine Inc. | 2003 |
| Exil-System 1979-2004 | Weltklang - Hoffnung / Sehnsucht ?? | 2LP | VOD | 2004 |
| Exil-System 1979-2004 | Weltklang - 49 Second Dance | 2LP | VOD | 2004 |
| Exil-System 1979-2004 | Weltklang - VEB Heimat | 2LP | VOD | 2004 |
| Liebesgrüsse Aus Ost-Berlin | Weltklang - VEB Heimat (EKSS Remix) | 12" | Exil-System | 2006 |
| Classic Electro | Weltklang - VEB Heimat | CD | Electro Emotions | 2008 |
| Classic Electro | Weltklang - Visions | CD | Electro Emotions | 2008 |
| Classic Electro | Weltklang - VEB Heimat (Simon Colon Mix) | CD | Electro Emotions | 2008 |
| Classic Electro | Weltklang - Auferstanden aus Ruinen (Aeronautica Remix) | CD | Electro Emotions | 2008 |
Unofficial Releases:
| Release | Track | Format | Label | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return Of Flexi-Pop Vol. 3 | Weltklang - Hoffnung / Sehnsucht ?? | CD | Flexi-Pop | |
| 80's Minimal Electronics, Volume 1 | Weltklang - VEB Heimat | LP | - |
External links
- Official Weltklang Myspace Website
- Exil-System Label Website
- Official Exil-System Myspace Website
- Website of programmer, engineer & producer René Steuns
- Weltklang at Discogs
- Weltklang at Musicbrainz
- Weltklang at Last.fm
- Minimal wave music recommendations
- Youtube video, Weltklang live in Bochum, Germany
- Youtube video, Weltklang live in Gothenburg, Sweden
- Youtube video, Weltklang live in Kiev, Ukraine
- Playlists, Radio WFMU
- Playlists, East Village Radio
- Playlist, Psych Night, Vancouver
- Playlist, Optimo (Espacio) , Glasgow
- Playlist, Mark Williams, Washington DC
- Minimal Wave/Neue Deutsche Welle Forum