Name: Christian Nainggolan
Nationality: German
Occupation: Producer, DJ
Current release: Christian Nainggolan is one of the artists included in Future Sounds Of Kraut Vol. 3 - Compiled by Fred und Luna, out via Compost.
Recommendations for his current hometown Karlsruhe: Karlsruhe Werdeplatz. A beautiful square shaded by large chestnut trees. Lots of bars with a wide variety of DJs, an award-winning concert venue (Kohi) and the largest beer garden in the city in summer.

[Read our Fred und Luna interview]
 


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

I think it was in the 90s when I started DJing. I think that as a DJ you come across herb at some point.

However, as a teenager in the 80s I was already listening to Kraftwerk without knowing that it was called Kraut(-rock). I didn't realize at the time what the story behind it was.

Krautrock always seemed like a phenomenon connected to a very specific era in German history. What about this music and its time do you connect with?

As I said, I think as a DJ you often hear elements of “Kraut”. One of Kraftwerk's most famous samples is in “Planet Rock” by Africa Bambaataa, for example, so I also associate electronic music in parts like house/techno with kraut also.

You also automatically come across the history of “Kraut”, such as Conny Plank, which fascinated me a lot, how he produced. I also found it impressive that rappers from the States found their way to this studio and had themselves produced by him.

Many of the original Kraut musicians loved blues, rock, and psychedelia; they were intrigued by electronics and improvisation; they rebelled against virtuosity, classical education and the superficiality of Schlager on German radio. How much of that do you recognise in your own creative preferences and interests?

I like the non-dogmatic approach to music.

I think that everyone has music in their mind and could make music in some way. The possibilities are manifold.

A lot of the Kraut spirit came to life through musicians living in communities, playing and recording together every single day. Have you ever tried working and creating in such a constellation? Is it possible to emulate this process from a home studio?

I played in a lot of bands in the 90s. I spent a lot of time in classic rehearsal rooms. That was a great time.

Of course, you have a direct exchange with the people on the instruments. Working on new pieces is obviously much more immediate, as you get direct feedback.

Alone at home in the studio, you occasionally fall into self-doubt and think mmh .... I always need a few days off to verify it. Direct feedback is of course very useful when you're at home, at least with two people. You can make decisions more quickly.

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?

I have to admit that I'm not that into “Kraut”, only in the context of electronic music as a DJ/producer.

The track “Nachtraucher”, which made it onto FSOK 3, was a great coincidence. But for me, in this track, it's the ambient pads and noises that make this track feel “krauty”.

What instruments or equipment are you using to create your music? Are there any vintage instruments that you find essential to get your sound right?

I have a couple of analog synths, a bassguitar (Fender Jazz 1978 ;) and an e-drum. I also have a stereo microphone with which I simply record sounds and put them through a delay or reverb until I find them interesting.

I can't say which part of my equipment or instrument is essential for my pieces. It just has to sound interesting.

Could you describe your creative process on the basis of your most recent Kraut-leaning release?

As I said, “Nachtraucher” was a big coincidence ;)

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

I've been to all three of these cities, but unfortunately, I don't own any paraphernalia.

Are there approaches, artists, festivals, labels, spaces or anyone/-thing else out there who you feel deserve a shout out for exploring interesting directions for Krautrock?

That was Fred and Luna, of course. When Rainer Buchmüller started Fred and Luna a few years ago, I was at one of his first concerts in my home town of Karlsruhe. He performed there with a whole band. Drums, bass, guitar and him on keys.  

Since then, of course, I've followed it and thought it was great that this band from my home town had such great success. I was also impressed by how full the venue was where the concert took place.

Furthermore, we also have two venues (Tollhaus and Jubez) that present Kraut and Krautrock from time to time. Like recently Tangerine Dream and last week Rodelius, who is currently on his Roedelius90 tour.

[Read our Tangerine Dream interview]
[Read our Roedelius interview]