Brandt Bauer Frick: We do pretty much the opposite of most other bands

PAUL FRICK TALKS ABOUT THE LATEST BRANDT BRAUER FRICK ALBUM, HIS MUSICAL PLANS, SOLO WORK, EXCITING COLLABORATION WITH ELECTRONIC MUSIC PIONEERS TANGERINE DREAM AS WELL AS MUCH MORE

Brandt Brauer Frick is one of the most interesting bands in the field of forward-thinking music. Founded in Berlin around ten years ago by the Three Musketeers of contemporary sound – Daniel Brandt, Jan Brauer and Paul Frick; the band achieved the reputation of being a musical project that can always amaze the audience with a fresh, unusual approach and new concepts. They are a perfect example of how so-called “intellectual” music is not at all boring, (as many people think) and it can be playful, challenging and always changing.

Brandt Brauer Frick’s first two albums “You Make Me Real” and “Mr. Machine”, (released by the legendary record label !K7 in 2010/ 2011) were made with a newly-invented and self-developed method of making techno-oriented sound using mostly only acoustic instruments. This unique and groundbreaking method in composing and performing nightclub vibe music with a 10 piece acoustic ensemble made Brandt Brauer Frick widely noticed, and they were soon on tour around the world. During these tours, the band performed as a 10-piece Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble, as well as a trio with their three main members – presenting a more electronic and clubby side of their musical souls.

Their next two albums “Miami” and “Joy” ( released in 2013 and 2016) were much more experimental and highlighted the rich musical background of the band’s members, which incorporated their interest in John Cage’s indeterminacy composing theory, Steve Reich’s minimalism and Dada’s aesthetics. The latest album “Echo” that came out a week ago, goes back to the band’s roots and contains mellower and danceable music forms, compared to their first two albums.

Brandt Brauer Frick’s passion for experiments and finding new forms of self- expression even got them involved in a contemporary opera “Gianni”, whose underlying story of which is the murder of Gianni Versace.

However, all the Brandt Brauer Frick members have a lot of individual work under their belts too- like solo albums and theatre music and sound production for other artists. We had a chance to talk with Paul Frick about the musical vibe and concept of Brandt Brauer Frick’s new album “Echo” which was released only a week ago, his solo work and exciting collaborations that he did recently.

Interview: Dmitry Tolkunov

Hi Paul! It would be great to know what you have been up to recently. We guess that probably the main thing on your plate right now is Brandt Brauer Frick’s new album. Is that right? Can you tell us a little bit about it?

Yes, indeed. Brandt Brauer Frick recently took over most of my time again. But in the last three years, each of us did many other things too like solo projects, collaborations… We needed that break after so much touring.

Amongst others, Daniel Brandt made two solo albums on the label Erased Tapes, Jan made a lot of theatre music and mixed albums by people like Max Graef, Josa Peit and Wayne Snow. He also mixed my first solo album ‘Second Yard Botanicals’ that appeared last year on Apollo/R&S Records.

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