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The best proof of love is trust – that counts for the lovely partnership in life as well as for creative arts. Whether in your own talents or in the well-meaning fate: trust mostly paves the cheerful way to happiness. The Berlin based electronic duo AKA AKA are the best example that trust in your own personal work does not only disburse, but is also spelled with elements of courage, faith and strength of purpose.
When Saarland-born Hannes and Holger from East Frisia met each other at a Berlin open-air party in 2008, it wasn’t only the start of a refreshing friendship; they found the infamous wavelength in very short period of time. With different socialization equipped, they both use their divergent past as well as the joint project AKA AKA to give their common ambition a name. With Oliver Koletzki’s label Stil vor Talent they found their first home in 2009. With its catchy grooves and minimal aesthetics, their debut EP "Vögeln" did not only reflect the spirit of that time, but was supported by the likes of Richie Hawtin and Troy Pierce.
The track "Woody Woodpecker" with his didgeridoo intermezzo and deep bass was featured as the third best track in the category minimal of 2010’s Beatport Music Awards. Spurred by the growing number of experiences as a live act and slightly before releasing more material on Stil vor Talent, the two set up their own imprint Burlesque Musique in 2009. Starting with the passion of freethinking and moving electronic sounds ranging from swing, Balkan-influenced house and funk, the current techno-driven orientation including pathetic melodies reflects AKA AKA’s bandwidth. The label is not only the way out of the release madness of the industry, but an inspiring stage for young talents and new faces. Besides formidable EPs of Umami, Niconé and Budzillus, with their "Springtide EP" AKA AKA & Thalstroem made their first appearance on Burlesque Musique in 2011.
Hannes and Holger were immediately fascinated by the gentle skills of trumpeter Thalstroem as they first met him in a vodka bar in Berlin. In March 2010 they played at Berlin's Watergate for the first time as a trio – and the experiment should not remain an experiment. Together with Thalstroem, AKA AKA worked on their joint debut album "Varieté". Published in May 2011 on Burlesque Musique, the record was not only honored by the readers of the prestigious Groove magazine among the top albums in 2011, the reader poll of the Partysan magazone awarded AKA AKA & Thalstroem as "Best Live Act 2011" and the second best newcomer.
With its mid-tempo house drive and deep minimalism, the record represents their final catalyst. Especially in combination with Thalstroem and his "Electronic Wind Instrument" they put a final touch to their unusual, fresh and dreamy trademark sound, which provides live even more endorphin boosts. Whether heard in Berlin clubs like Watergate, Ritter Butzke, Tresor, Magdalena as well as Arena Club or during their international gigs in Amsterdam, Madrid, Moscow, Oslo, Turin or Vienna AKA AKA & Thalstroem are kings of entertainment. Always open, always engaging, always fun.
After several remixes for Oliver Schories, Turntablerocker and Thomas Schumacher, in May 2012 the trio introduced a veritable Who's Who of the scene for "Varieté Remixed" in order to present new interpretations of tracks from their debut. Besides Tigerskin, Moonbootica and Lexy & K-Paul other big names like Dapayk, Marek Hemmann and Phonique rearranged standout tracks like "French toast", "What Matters" or "Afterglow". In the same year the first and foremost live act AKA AKA & Thalstroem went on a great tour, not missing festival as Timewarp, Sea of ??Love, Sun, Moon, Stars, Mayday, Nature One and Super Rave. In addition to new releases and parties of their label Burlesque Musique, the trio is planning a new, second album for 2014. That's right, the journey of AKA AKA & Thalstroem is far from over, because who stops wanting to be better, ceases to be good. |
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