In Germany these days, Kraftwerk are considered something of a musical national treasure. But it wasn't always like that. For a long time, homegrown bands were ignored in Germany - at least until they made it big outside the country, says Uwe Schütte, author of the 2020 Penguin-published book, Kraftwerk: Future Music from Germany.
"From the 70s to the 90s, Germans first ridiculed the Düsseldorfers, then ignored them," Schutte told the Listener.
People didn't understand the band that had started off as an art project. At one stage, Kraftwerk members had to explain to a German radio journalist why their track Autobahn didn't mention the fact that there were a lot of accidents on the autobahn.
Denne historien er fra November 04-10 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra November 04-10 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
