Issue No. 3

Alexander Hacke
Brother Anubis Re

Alexander Hacke has been a member of legendary German Avant-Garde unit Einsturzende Neubauten since their inception. Born in Germany in 1965 he received his first guitar when he was twelve as a reward for having thirteen baby teeth pulled. Three years later at fifteen he joined Einsturzende Neubauten and then later Crime & the City Solution. On his first ever solo outing Sanctuary, he has crafted a globe-trotting collection of sounds and music, most recorded remotely, from all over the world.

He recently spoke to Brother Anubis Re, special to MagnaPhone and multi-instrumentalist for the Cosmic Brotherhood of Ra from his home in Berlin.

MP: What is it that makes traveling the world so intriguing?

I just figured that the stuff I have written while being on the road was a lot more inspired than what I came up with at home. Also, when I started this project I really needed a change of scenery anyway. So, I decided to make this the concept. My initial idea was to make a record like a director does a "road-movie", meaning that there is no finished script, the project is connected to a journey and the cast of characters grows with the journey going on.

MP: Let's talk about the Art of Sampling. What is it that draws you toward this way of composing music?

I think I have a more "Musique concrete"-approach towards sampling. It is mostly actual events that I record and then just change the sequence of the way they happen. My whole attitude is really old fashioned: Everything I do could be done with tape actually. I don't use MIDI a lot so I am editing and processing audio-footage in a fairly "old school" kind of way.

MP: Can you describe how you obtained the field recordings sampled on this CD?

On "Minnie And Me" all audio was recorded with the build-in microphones of my Powerbook! But, I do use multiple channel interfaces and I travel with a couple of pretty good microphones. In some cases friends provided me with material they had collected and was sitting in their respective archives somewhere.

MP: How many different locations and times were involved in recording these songs?

Well, it was an on and off journey that lasted about 2 years. Some stuff dates before that period. A bunch of North American cities, Mexico and various places in Europe were on my route.

MP: The CD has a perfect blend of Electronic and Organic Instruments. Was this premeditated or did it just happen that way?

I am always game for a clash of genres! I love friction in any creative way. To limit myself to just one flavor would just be too boring, but I wouldn't call it premeditated. That is a natural development in my work. I can't help it. Mostly I feel the urge to combine one thing with something that is its diametric opposite.

MP: You use several guest musicians on this CD including David Yow (Jesus Lizard) and Vinnie Signiorelli (Unsane). How did you choose the participants for this project? What qualities were you looking to bring to the recording by using them?

They are my friends.

MP: Neubauten uses Themes quite often in their material. Is there a hidden theme to this recording?

Well, there is the "Road-record"-approach I was talking about earlier and there is a "coming of age" sort of air to it, I guess.

MP: Rhythm seems to play a key role in these songs. Were the songs started as Rhythm Tracks?

I like music to be closely related to movement. I love percussions of all kinds and I love to process recordings of rhythms. In this particular project many of the tracks are based on rhythm-sessions, because to just start with something like that would give everyone involved instant gratification. It is simply a lot more fun to get together, make a whole lot of (rhythmic) noise, record that, listen to it, process it and then find out where this could be going.

MP: Moving to the Artwork for a moment, why the hyena?

The front cover is a painting by the great artist Danielle de Picciotto, who also did the artwork for the booklet and inner sleeve of the CD. She will also be responsible for the visual presentation of "Sanctuary" live. Check her stuff out at www.DanielledePicciotto.de. The hyena is one of my favorite animals. Did you know that it is the only mammal born with a full set of teeth?

MP: What do you listen to these days?

The Tiger Lillies, LCD Soundsystem, Brujeria, Gillian Welsh, Orhan Gencebay and various other artists in many fields of music. The interesting fact is that I always go completely blank when this question arises.

MP: What inspires and motivates Alexander Hacke?

Love in general, my girl in particular, children and dogs, the need to work in order to sustain myself and the frustration with the way the world is going.

MP: Can we expect to see more solo material from you in the future?

Absolutely, aside from upcoming collaborations, I am writing a record all by my self this time, using mostly traditional instruments and a traditional way of song-writing. That's just something I have never done before.

MP: Again, it has been a pleasure to get the chance to speak with you and I wish you much success in all of your projects. With any luck we shall meet if you ever play in New York City again.

Thank you! In fact we are applying to play the CMJ in September.

Alexander Hacke is currently hard at work on new projects in Berlin. Keep up with him at www.Hacke.org

Cosmic Brotherhood of Ra is currently in the studio and working on their first record. They are also usually playing somewhere in New York or New Jersey at any given time. A visit to www.CosmicBrotherhoodofRa.com will enlighten you.