The hard work is finally paying off for Booka Shade. Who are they? Arno Kammermeier and Walter Merziger. What do they do? Make amazing live electronic music and rule DJ charts around the world. And do flippin’ remixes – when they’re not mixing music for labelmates on Get Physical Records. But more on that later.
They’ve been around since the early nineties (dealing more with Synth-Pop type music), but in recent years have shot to the forefront of House music around the globe with a transformation into masters of House, Techno, and Trances. What is it about their music that makes it so alluring? It could be a lot of things – from the duo’s widely varied musical preferences, to their self-professed intent on using their music to evoke emotions.
Booka Shade is clearly a different kind of group; in an interview with inthemix.com.au, Arno talked about the group’s unique philosophy about making sweet music: “Every sound, every melody has to have a purpose, a reason to be there, otherwise there’s just no point.” Sounds like a good reflection of the focus that the twosome brings to their minimalistic House tracks. With inspirations like Depeche Mode (with whom they’ve recently collaborated), the Cure, and Soft Cell (Arno said the band has a thing for those melancholic Brit bands, also from the above interview), Booka Shade’s only getting hotter; the boys from Berlin have been kept busy by the sensation that started in 2005 with their singles Body Language (with M.A.N.D.Y.) and Mandarine Girl.
The first, Body Language, went from an underground winner to a powerhouse on a global scale, and was named “Ibiza Track of the Season.” It continued in 2006 with them being named Best Live Act by Resident Advisor (a top UK electronic music site), and getting props for their sophomore album, Movements, which was awarded Best Album. It might have something to do with the fact that these guys don’t confine making music to the walls of a studio; they’re open to recording in the sky too – guess the aerial view from a plane must be really inspiring. (click here for Movements CD/DVD)
With a flourishing label which they co-founded with M.A.N.D.Y. and DJ T, Get Physical, under their belts, there is no rest for Booka Shade – they’re fresh off their Movements tour, and are already getting ready for their next world tour, this one to promote their upcoming album, The Sun & The Neon Light, which will be released soon in May. So keep your eyes peeled for Booka Shade – coming to a city near you (if you’re lucky).Tour info on Booka Shade’s Myspace page
Preorder a copy of Booka Shade’s The Sun and The Neon Light
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