Name: Sean Smith aka LFZ
Nationality: American
Occupation: Producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist
Current release: LFZ's Raveled Veiled Known is out now.
Kraut-related recommendations: Les Vampyrettes. System Tandem.

If you enjoyed this LFZ interview and would like to stay up to date with his music, visit his official homepage. He is also on Instagram.



How would you describe your personal relationship with Krautrock? When and how did it start?

I had been a fan of Kraftwerk starting as a teenager around 30 years ago. I owned all of their records up through The Man-Machine. (I still have not procured any further titles, so this is a good reminder!) Tangerine Dream was creeping in on me as well. A decade later I was made aware of NEU!

But had no idea there was any lineage, or any connection, and it still was a while before I learned the term Krautrock at all even though I had collected a few things from Can, Amon Duul, Faust etc.

[Read our Tangerine Dream interview]
[Read our Tangerine Dream's Steve Jolliffe interview]
[Read our Tangerine Dream's Johannes Schmoelling interview]
[Read our Tangerine Dream's Paul Haslinger interview]
[Read our Michael Rother of Neu! interview]

In his Krautrock Sampler, Julian Cope limits the actual Krautrock phase to only a few years. Are you interested in the history of Kraut – and if so, what are defining moments for you? Where do you draw the bracket for the first, classic period?

Once I became truly aware of the lineage, it did spark an interest in me to know these distinctions. I remember taking in these “rules” at a certain point, I read some of the Krautrock Sampler and another book I can’t remember the title of. (The New Age Music Guide was also informative) It’s been so long that the details of who and when and why have melted into abstraction. So I don’t have a clear view of it anymore.

But it seems to me that “Krautrock” is now a blanket term, when it probably has more to do with the earlier rock based groups. Kosmische is a helpful term that fills it all in. For me at least.

Kraut drew inspiration from a lot of influences. Which of these would you say were most prominent?

Anti-establishment, communal, improvisation.

Satirical comment on the oppressive perfectionist status quo nationalism of the time and place? Just guessing here.

What was it about Krautrock that particularly attracted you as a listener?

The prevalence of instrumental music and long songs. I’m always disappointed when a record isn’t just two side-long instrumental pieces.

Tell me about the albums and artists that stand our for you?

Based on my own interests - I lean towards kosmische …: Any and all Klaus Schulze. Same goes for Tangerine Dream but Stratosfear is special to me.



Manuel Göttsching/Ashra Inventions… and New Age of Earth.



Kraftwerk, especially Autobahn.



Everything under the NEU!, Harmonia, Michael Rother umbrella. Les Vampyrettes (I have a tattoo).

[Read our Harmonia's Roedelius interview]

But generally, and in fear of being obvious, Can, Faust, Ashra Tempel, Amon Duul are Krautrock with a capital K.

Some believe the well for discovering hidden Kraut gems has dried up. Do you still stumble upon amazing music from the magic Kraut era that you'd never heard (of) before? If so, feel free to share them.

I’m always impressed but never surprised that things keep getting discovered.

I’m no expert, so besides the ones I mentioned above, It’s all a new discovery to me.

What, to you, are the main elements that make something “Kraut?” What are the practises of the musicians from the 70s that inspire your own practise today?

Not sure I’m the guy to say what makes something “kraut,” but ingenuity, improvisation, dead-seriousness with plenty of humor and playfulness. That just makes for good music no matter where or when it’s from.

When did you start making use of Kraut elements in your music?

2008. Maybe before, unknowingly.

Could you describe your creative process on the basis of one of your own Kraut-leaning pieces, live performances or albums that's particularly dear to you, please?

As an example, “Extinction Burst,” from my new album has an unrelenting driving rhythm. Although it has no drums, I can relate it to the motorik beat. But probably more Göttsching.

hinking about it now, it has more to do with wilder energy like early krautrock.

I got into Kraut via Tangerine Dream and early Ash Ra and to me, the motoric beat was never quite as important. Today, it seems as though it's the most important defining element. Are you interested in it? Are you making use if it? What makes it special to you?

It’s an easy way to make anything sound krautrock, but it isn't the most important to me. I think it is powerful and historic, but it isn’t everything.

It would seem that to some, the prominent inclusion of synthesizers is somewhat of an exclusion criterion for Krautrock. Interestingly, today, they are a signature element. What role do they play for your own view of Kraut and your own music?

I don’t think synthesizers are an exclusion, nor are they only a modern element. They are just as integral as any other instrument.

A lot of the Kraut spirit came to life through musicians living in communities, playing and recording together every single day. From your perspective, how does this change the results? Have you ever tried working and creating in such a constellation?

Wild and wonderful things can result from being young and unencumbered. It’s always great to surround yourself with supporters and collaborators.

Been a long while for me since I had the pleasure.  

Did you ever visit one of the birthplaces of the genre – Berlin, Düsseldorf, Munich – or any spaces related to the history of Kraut?

Not yet.

Do you own any paraphernalia from the era?

I have a big Klaus Schulze poster up on the wall in my studio.

There are quite a few fantastic compilations of modern Kraut-oriented music. I am wondering, however, if the approaches of this time may have survived more subtly. Do you see the influence of Krautrock in any contemporary styles, approaches or scenes which bear no obvious similarities with Kraut?

Time is a flat circle.