With its imposing bookings from one weekend to another, Belgrade’s Drugstore is generating an image of a serious underground club who might be envied by many European clubs. On Friday, the 19th of February we are expecting a trio whose fascination with sound can only be described as cosmic music- hypnotizing, slow and energetic. The techno „cathedral“ is probably the perfect place to get the best out of Tolouse Low Trax music and his rougher trio – Toresch. 33.10.3402 will set the tone of night by painting the atmosphere of the club with his wraith-like music of darkness.
Detlef Weinrich, alias Toulouse Low Trax, is the man behind Salon des Amateurs from Düsseldorf. We know him as the axis of the legendary band Kreidler and by his solo ventures that are described as masterly shamanic. His recent release „Rushing Into Water“ was claimed by many as one of the best records of the year! This time he is presenting his solo project Tolouse Low Trax, as well as his joint project Toresch in co-operation with Viktoria Wehrmeister & Jan Wagner whose last EP came out on Vladimir Ivkovic’s label „Offen Music“.
We got the chance to talk to Detlef Weinrich who revealed what he considers cosmic in music, how he approaches it and what the sound of Toresch is like.
Hello Mr. Weinrich. Thank you for agreeing to this interview. I must say I’ve become a fan of yours after hearing the opus of music you’ve created under Tolouse Low Trax moniker. I’m really interested to hear about your influences. Can you name them, whether they are musical or crucial moments in life?
It’s not always very easy to talk about my music, influences, moments etc. Of course Salon des Amateurs and all its guests all over the last 10 years created a kind of special sensitive taste of music and I maybe tried my own way of translation in my music. But that’s also a question what you are able to do with your own opportunities, musical & technical wise. I mean I don’t have a musical education so everything is about right decisions and being authentic. I just need to believe that my music is close to me, a part of myself, but not in a case of writing a dairy. I want to be a part of the time & world but with my own rules.
How did Tolouse Low Trax come to be (the name and the project)?
That’s a funny story. I worked on my first solo concert and a befriended painter was making this word-games with Tolouse….and we choosed Tolouse Low Trax – so that’s it.
How did Kreidler come to be?
I met this guys at the Art Academie in Düsseldorf, when I started to study there. I made a kind of sound installation and they liked it, and asked me to be a part of the Band. Then it became kind of successful very quickly.
How much and in what way did Dusseldorf have an impact on your music?
When I came to Düsseldorf in 1992 I was not aware about the whole music history was created there, specially in the 80’s –Ratinger Hof-all this influential bands, like DAF, Neu, Kratwerk and Der Plan. I was really impressed about all this stories and of course it was an influence on our music. Maybe not like imitating something but in a way off, this is a good place to work because it’s a quite unhysteric place. Instead of Berlin for example.
I’ve read a lot about Salon des Amateurs. Can you explain the atmosphere of the club where you are a resident DJ?
It’s a Power Lounge. Right size for quality music. Size is important.
What do you consider to be cosmic in your music?
In the last years a lot people talked about Cosmic Music originally created in North Italy by a Discothek with the same name. I mean now besides of the hype for me it means in general a range of open minded eclectic music from all over the world. Just connected in a space, which means a place to dance. Translated in my own music – it means hopefully slow & hypnotic and energetic.
What do you consider a good DJ is?
First a good selection, then surprising people and irritating them and at last reconcile them from time to time with a very very emotional and sexy track.
What do you look for in a track? What’s that thing it needs for you to say: „Oh… WOOOW!“
I like if something is not too perfect, not told to the end. Something amateur like being a real lover not a husband but with a strong idea behind.
How did the co-operation with Victoria and Jan happen for your joint Toresch project?
There was a invitation from Kunsthalle Düsseldorf for a small Festival in 2014 and we thought to make something special. We tried and it worked very well, the idea was creating a very rough intense Music with no rules-something simple and energetic. To be honest I was irritated two years from that stuff. Once I played the demos to Vladimir and he was surprised and decided to release it. Sometimes you need a listen and a view from outside to recognize. But in general the most satisfying thing is surprise yourself.
You said in an interview for 90bpm.com that repetition is for of evolution, could you explain your thoughts on that to our readers?
Evolution needs time and repetition creates time in a very own way. I mean that’s just my personal statement. I don’t want claim a general truth. Its my own very personal one.
You have released „Essen fur Alle“ under Toresch for Vladimir Ivkovic’s label Offen Music. That release is reaaaally good! It got 4.1/5 by Resident Advisor. How did you to get a sound like that? What’s in your minds when you make a record?
I told it already with in some of the others answers. I like in general if there is a project which I can be a part of it-musical wise-it’s like answering with a translation or reinterpretation. In the last years a worked for some artists, made the music for installations, art pieces and videos, it’s good point to start for me. Very inspiring and I think I can be very free with sounds maybe and bit contradictory. But ff course I can also start without any idea just in the mood making music.
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