Well, I've had my hand somewhat serendipitously forced on this one. I had been planning to write something about this guy for a while now but seeing as he's only recently recorded the latest installment in the ever wonderful 'Krossfingers' podcast series I figured I may as well put this out now. I've posted a couple of Armin's mixes and radio shows over the last couple of years across on the Thoughts on Love And Smoking Facebook group but as I say, had been intending on doing a small focus piece on him for some time.
Armin Schmelz is something of a musical enigma. A long time, and equally important name on the Vienna scene co-organizing events and parties like Erdbahnkreuzer and Tingel Tangel, alongside previous TOLAS podcast contributor Bernhard Tobola.
From the first recording I'd heard of him, it was clear that he had little concern about sticking to one style of music or a certain genre. In a scene where it's becoming increasingly rare these days to find individuals who have a bold approach towards dance music, those pushing genuinely genre-defying DJ-ing are worth they're weight in black plastic.
He sometimes forays into the psychedelic, sometimes into the electronic. Percussion drifts from remote islands and rises up to touch tender discosoul in a cinematic exploration of the slower heart rates of danceable music. Each stage and its environs carefully define a new tone and set to his voyages into the mysterious.
Moving deftly from angular disco cuts and frantic techno to NY post punk-funk and coldwave in wild selections of un-chained melodies while also rounding up elements of continental pop and electronics.
Listen, then seek him out. Armin Schmelz is MOST DEFINITELY the real deal.
Till next time.
Big love. Mark. X
No comments:
Post a Comment