CONCERT GUIDE & LIVE MUSIC RESOURCE VOL. 2 / N0. 10 / March / 2020
FREE 1
CONTENTS 04 12 18 19 20 22
Show Calendar Guessing GEMA History Witch Musician Classifieds Shows of Note Fake News
What is this filth? This is a free, monthly resource to help you navigate Berlin’s textured music scene. Within these pages you will hopefully find something useful, interesting, or amusing. What you will not find is any place for bigotry or intolerance of any kind. If you like what you see here, consider visiting our beautiful website: schmutzberlin.com
CONTRIBUTORS
CONTACT
Wordsmiths
Web
Gabriel Dunn, Emily Gale
schmutzberlin.com
Francisco Parisi, Kevin Chow Nolan Parker
Mail hallo@schmutzberlin.com
Design Wizard
Wenhui Zheng
facebook.com/schmutzberlin
Deputy Design Wizard Oleksandra Pshenychna
Instagram @schmutzberlin
Cover Art Social Animal by Maik Banks www.maikbanks.com / @maikbanks
2
Don’t be a turd. Please recycle this when you’re done with it.
"Being born was the worst and the first mistake I ever made. The doctor didn't spank me, he just slapped me in the face." - Dolly Parton
Even Dolly knows that sometimes life gives you lemons. This doesn’t actually sound that bad considering lemons are rich in vitamin C and help to stave off scurvy. Other times life can kick you in the teeth. This may also not be so bad, since getting kicked in the teeth is said to build character. At this point, we’re basically dripping with character
xoxo, Schmutz
Photo by Jakob Adler
and our odds of catching scurvy are low. We like to stay positive though. Zum Beispiel, we made it through our second volume and had a swell time doing it. Thanks for tuning in.
3
Recommended Shows
Schmutz Presents
01 20:00
PVRIS Lido Pop
€28
05 19:00
TURNSTILE SO36 Noise Rock | Punk
€27
01 20:00
DUNE MESSIAH Urban Spree Dark Folk
€10
05 20:00
BASIA BULAT Michelberger Hotel Folk | Pop
FREE
02 21:00
LONKER SEE + CIRCLE OF THE SUN Zukunft am Ostkreuz Heavy Psych | Stoner
€TBA
05 20:00
UNICORN PARTISANS + INFANT SANCHOS Schokoladen Synth Punk | Wave
€TBA
02 21:00
CHARLIE CUNNHINGHAM Heimathafen Neukölln Composition | Indie | Singer/ Songwriter
€28
05 21:00
BLACK MARACAS 8MM Bar Punk | Rock
€TBA
02 20:00
STANLEY&STANLEY&STANLEY | ALAIN CROUBALIAN + MORE Alter Roter Löwe Rein Country | Indie | R&B
€TBA
05 19:00
NORIENT’S “THE NOW IN SOUND” Haus der Kulturen der Welt Electronic | Experimental
03 20:30
GIRL RAY Kantine am Berghain Indie | Synth Pop
€25
03 21:00
SOUNDS INSUFFERABLE VOL. 3 Loophole Electronic | Experimental | Noise
06 20:30
AOTW W/ THE GATES OF SLUMBER (USA) | LORD VICAR (FIN) | CARDINALS FOLLY (FIN) | LEADEN FUMES (CH) Zukunft am Ostkreuz Doom | Metal
03 20:30
HAUNT Zukunft am Ostkreuz 80s Metal | Power Metal
€17
06 20:00
THE DEADNOTES Cassiopeia Emo | Indie
€15
04 20:00
HIGHLY SUSPECT Astra Rock
€22
06 20:00
PRINCESS NOKIA Astra Hip Hop | Pop | Trap
€34
04 20:00
PRETTIEST EYES Urban Spree Indie | Kraut | Synth
€11
06 18:15
€28
04 20:00
TIM TIEBEL & DIE TIERE DER EINSAMKEIT Schokoladen Electro Pop | Indie
DECAPITATED | BEYOND CREATION | INGESTED | LORNA SHORE | VISCERA Lido Death Metal
€6
06 22:00
€TBA
04 20:00
WOLF PARADE Gretchen Indie | Rock
VODUN & WEDDINGS Zukunft am Ostkreuz Desert Rock | Shamanic Psych | Shoegaze
€24
BLOND Lido Deutschpop | Electro Pop
€22
GRANDE FINALE DER ORANGENSAFT-TOURNEE Loophole Dance | Experimental | Film
€TBA
05 20:00
06 21:00
05 20:00
INHALER Columbia Theater Indie
€19
06 21:30
MILITARY GENIUS + EMMA GRACE Tennis Composition | Experimental | Folk
€TBA
05 21:00
THE HANS | TOP DOWN | APE RITES Loophole Rock
06 20:30
.PK. X BEEATSZ | VENTA PROTESIX | JEAN P’ARK | BOBRYK | SELF TOXICATION | Schwester Martha Electronic | Experimental | Noise
€TBA
4v
€14 €TBA
€TBA
€8
07 21:00
MARCUS KING BAND Heimathafen Neukölln Rock
€25
07 20:00
LAST TRAIN Badehaus French Rock | Post-grunge
€18
07 19:30
SIBIIR | HAVEN Cassiopeia Black Metal | Hardcore
€17
07 19:00
SOOKEE - DIE GALA - FÜR AWESOME HIP HOP HUMANS Astra
07 20:00
KVELERTAK | PLANET OF ZEUS | BLOOD COMMAND SO36 Metal
€28
07 19:00
BLEIB MODERN | BAICAL Zukunft am Ostkreuz Coldwave | Post Punk
€12
07 23:00
GLOW | INKAA | HANNES LOHRER | MALTITZ | AKAROID Loophole Dance | Electronic
07 23:00
THE FLAVIANS | RYAN O’REILLY Musik & Frieden Folk | Indie | Rock
08 19:00
ROSE TATTOO | THUNDER MOTHER Astra Rock n’ Roll
€38
08 20:00
DIIV Festsaal Kreuzberg Alternative | Neo Psych
€24
08 20:00
KING KRULE Columbiahalle Indie | Lounge
€33
08 21:00
YELAWOLF Heimathafen Neukölln Hip Hop
€37
08 19:00
THE KYLE GASS COMPANY Badehaus Comedy | Kitch | Rock
€27
09 21:00
LLOYD COLE Heimathafen Neukölln Pop
€39
09 20:00
BIG THIEF Astra Indie
€25
ALWAYS THIRSTY? 1
€TBA
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ady h S THIRSTY? Pines 1
Do you wake up fresh and rested every morning? 3
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Recommended Shows
09 TBA
FLORIAN OSTERTAG Schokoladen Singer/Songwriter
09 17:30
Schmutz Presents
€TBA
11 21:30
Free
PAPA ROACH | HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD | ICE NINE KILLS Verti Music Hall Nu Metal | Rock
GLASSBERG & THE DISASTERS | CHOKE ON THAT BISCUIT! Ä Bar Folk | Indie | Pop
€68
12 20:00
€TBA
10 20:00
CAR BOMB Cassiopeia Math Metal | Prog
THE BLACK WIZARDS | SHAUN | RODEO DRIVE Schicksaal im Tommyhaus Psychedelic | Stoner Rock
€19
STEW | THE GRAND ACID Zukunft am Ostkreuz Blues Rock | Heavy rock
REX ORANGE COUNTY Astra Indie Soul | Pop
€24
10 22:00
12 20:00
€TBA
10 21:00
€TBA
CHELSEA WOLFE | JONATHAN HULTEN Großer Sendesaal des rbb Doom | Goth | Singer/Songwriter
€29
PSYCHEDELIC NIGHT VOL.II Loophole Indie | Punk | Rock
12 20:00
KLANGSTOF Bi Nuu Dream Pop | Electronic | Indie
€18
PATRICK WATSON Metropol Indie
€25
11 20:00
12 21:00
11 20:30
LITTLE DRAGON Festsaal Kreuzberg Electro | Indie pop
€34
TORRES Kantine am Berghain Alternative | Indie
12 20:00
€17
11 19:00
RINGS OF SATURN Cassiopeia Technical Death Metal
€24
12 20:00
JOZEF VAN WISSEM | HIGHEST SEA Zukunft am Ostkreuz Cinematic | Folk | Psych
11 20:00
BLAUE BLUME Badehaus Electronic | Experimental Pop | R&B
€15
12 19:00
THUMPER Urban Spree Noise Pop
11 20:00
ÄTNA Lido Electro Pop | Melancholic Pop
PULSAR MOD CLUB 8MM Bar Alternative | Indie
€TBA
€19
12 21:00
STONY SUGARSKULL Loophole Punk | Rock
€TBA
11 19:00
BATUSHKA | MALEVOLENT CREATION | KONKHRA Nuke Black Metal | Death Metal
12 21:00
€27
13 19:00
HEATHER WOODS BRODERICK Badehaus Folk | Singer/Songwriter
€18
11 19:00
ODD WEDNESDAY: BAUER PIERSANTI // LANFREDINI MADDALENA VURAL Acud Macht Neu Composition | Experimental | Improvisation
€5
13 20:00
JARED JAMES NICHOLS | WOLF JAW Cassiopeia Blues Rock | Rock
€25
11 20:00
THE JOHNS + GOBLIN PRINCE Schokoladen Baroque Pop | Folk
€6
13 19:00
EVIL INVADERS + ANGELUS APATRIDA Cassiopeia Speed Metal | Thrash
€19
11 21:00
DAMPF 02 Loophole Dance | Experimental
13 20:00
GRACE CARTER Lido Pop
€26
6v
€TBA
€TBA €15
13 20:00
LA PETITE MORT / LITTLE DEATH | NERVUS | COOL LIVING Zukunft am Ostkreuz Melodic Punk | Post Hardcore
13 21:00
THE THIRD SOUND | CHICOS DE NAZCA Arkaoda Psych
14 19:00
SLIME SO36 Punk
€25
14 20:00
EPHEMERALS Gretchen Indie Soul | Jazz
€21
14 20:30
PRACTICALLY MARRIED Donau115 Jazz
Donation
14 20:00
DOBRANOTCH (RU) Privatclub Balkan | Gypsy | Klezmer
€17
14 19:30
YIN YIN Gretchen 70s | Disco | Funk | Neo Psychedelia
€14
14 20:00
MORAST + EVIL WARRIORS Zukunft am Ostkreuz Black Metal | Doom
€12
14 21:00
REDSCALE | SOUTH GROVE | HEAVY HEAVY Urban Spree Doom | Heavy Psych | Stoner
€TBA
14 21:00
RED INK PROJECT TIEF Ambient | Drone
€TBA
14 19:00
SHYBITS 8MM Bar Garage | Indie
€TBA
14 20:00
LILI FRANKO & PRIG Schokoladen Art Punk | Indie | Psych
14 20:00
CEEYS Urania Planetarium Potsdam Ambient | Electronic
15 19:00
DETRITI MINI FESTIVAL II Kantine am Berghain EBM | Synth | Techno
14 20:00
LUCIE & THE ROBOT | HYPER OPAL Art Stalker Electronic | Pop | Triphop
€TBA GIRL RAY
03.03.20 Kantine am Berghain
€TBA
TORRES
Support: Harkin 11.03.20 Kantine am Berghain
YĪN YĪN
14.03.20 Gretchen
SPINNING COIN 23.03.20 Westgermany
LEWSBERG
06.04.20 Monarch
JAY SOM
08.04.20 Kantine am Berghain
PHARMAKON
18.04.20 Urban Spree
RICHARD DAWSON
20.04.20 Kantine am Berghain
NADIA REID
21.04.20 Roter Salon
DESTROYER
Support: Anna B Savage 24.04.20 Bi Nuu
DOUGLAS DARE 30.04.20 Roter Salon
BRAIDS
07.05.20 Musik & Frieden
PORRIDGE RADIO 07.05.20 TIEF
SHOPPING
11.05.20 Urban Spree
JONATHAN BREE
12.05.20 Columbia Theater
SCOUT NIBLETT 21.05.20 Frannz Club
€6 €TBA
JACKIE LYNN
25.05.20 Kantine am Berghain
KURT VILE
[SOLO]
29.05.20 Heimathafen Neukölln
DONNY BENÉT 29.05.20 Lido
€14
SOCCER MOMMY 09.06.20 Frannz Club
WAXAHATCHEE
€8
09.07.20 Frannz Club
TICKETS: PUSCHEN.TICKETS.DE
7
Recommended Shows
16 20:00
GHOSTEMANE Astra Rap Rock | Trap
16 21:00
Schmutz Presents
€29
19 20:00
DOPELORD Cassiopeia Doom | Stoner
GOATBURNER | SICK EATER | BORDERS DOWN Toast Hawaii Death Metal | Punk | Sludge
€TBA
20 22:00
MIRMIX ORKEZTAN “BODY LANGUAGE” RECORD RELEASE Badehaus Balkan | Cumbia | Latin | Ska
16 20:00
ACID’S TRIP Electric Avenue Music Classic Rock
€TBA
20 21:00
16 20:00
OVO + CHEESEFIST Schokoladen Metal | Noise Rock
ROBS MOB | THE HUNTING COWS | BAMBI SLAUGHTER Schicksaal im Tommyhaus Garage | Punk | Rock
€TBA
17 21:00
DOWNFALL OF GAIA | IMPLORE Cassiopeia Black Metal | Metal
€21
THE RUMJACKS | THE RUMPLED SO36 Folk | Punk
20 20:00
€22
TEMPERS | GLORIA DE OLIVEIRA Urban Spree Dark Pop | Electro
€17
18 20:00
ANDROMEDA MEGA EXPRESS ORCHESTRA & TIM NOVIKOV Berghain Composition | Experimental | Jazz
20 20:00
€16
20 20:00
QIAN GENG & ANTON KAUN Acud Macht Neu Avant Garde | Noise
€11
18 21:00
BABY SHAKES | BELLA & THE BIZARRE Toast Hawaii Bubblegum | Punk | Rock n’ Roll
€15
20 20:00
LEDING + HALION STATE Schokoladen Goth | Rock | Wave
18 19:00
KOJEY RADICAL Kantine am Berghain Hip Hop | Rap
SOLD OUT
20 20:00
DIRTY SHIRT & SLAVES OF KALI Nuke Metal
€12
18 20:30
MUTED Donau115 Jazz
Donation
21 20:00
BAD COP/BAD COP | MAKEWAR Cassiopeia Punk
€18
19 20:00
KRISIUN Musik & Frieden Death Metal
€22
21 19:30
AMNISTIA & FIX8:SED8 + FRONTAL Nuke EBM | Electronic | Experimental
€17
19 21:00
ORDEN X INSTRUMENTS OF DISCIPLINE Urban Spree Black Metal | Dark Techno | Noise
€TBA
21 22:00
AUTONOMA INDUSTRIALE Kulturhaus Kili Electronic | Experimental | Industrial | Noise | Punk | Techno
€10
21 20:00
OMAR SOULEYMAN Säälchen Arabic Dance | Electronic
€26
21 22:00
KAVRILA & SHOVEL Zukunft am Ostkreuz Crust | Doom | Sludge
€TBA
21 20:00
LITBARSKI & NASSER HUND Schokoladen Punk
€TBA
22 20:00
THE PICTUREBOOKS | BLACK MIRRORS SO36 Americana | Southern Rock
€20
19 20:00
DISARSTAR SO36 Deutschrap | Singer/Songwriter
€25
19 20:00
KYTES | POOL Lido Indie pop
€21
19 22:00
THE BAR SINISTER Eschschloraque Rock | Soul
19 22:00
PLAINRIDE | KRACH BUMM Zukunft am Ostkreuz
8
€5 €TBA
€19 €9 €TBA
€TBA
22 12:00
PSICOTRÓPICOS FESTIVAL Festsaal Kreuzberg Various
23 19:00
NON-FACE / TRILOGIE DE LA MORT | ROBERT LIPPOK & LUCAS GUTIERREZ Zeiss-Großplanetarium A/V | Composition | Synth
23 21:00
SPINNING COIN Urban Spree Indie | Pop | Rock
€12
23 20:00
COCOROSIE Festsaal Kreuzberg Experimental Pop
€33
23 20:00
MELBY Schokoladen Indie | Psych Pop
€TBA
23 20:00
DYLAN LEBLANC Frannz Club Folk Rock
€16
24 20:00
CHARLOTTE LAWRENCE Lido Pop
€23
24 20:00
GUANA BATZ Bi Nuu Punk | Rockabilly
€24
24 18:30
ANATHEMA Astra Metal | Prog | Rock
€41
24 20:00
HI-REZ & EMILIO ROJAS Cassiopeia Hip Hop | Rap
€18
25 20:00
GRAND MAGUS Lido Power Metal
€26
25 20:00
THE HUSSY Schokoladen Garage | Psych | Punk
25 20:00
STALLEY Cassiopeia Hip Hop
€16
25 19:00
HACKEDEPICCIOTTO | GLICE | MARC MARCOVIC Kantine am Berghain Composition | Echtzeit
€15
25 21:00
MOTTEL X KOSACK X BUSATO X TAVIL West Germany Electronic | Experimental | Free Improv | Jazz
€18 €TBA
This could be an ad for your business or event, but instead it’s a picture of a terrible sunburn.
€TBA
€TBA
Advertise with Us
(hallo@schmutzberlin.com)
9
Recommended Shows
Schmutz Presents
26 20:00
YBN CORDAE Lido Hip Hop | Rap
26 20:00
PHILEAS Badehaus Folk | Indie | Loops
26 22:00
SUPERSUCKERS + GUEST Wild At Heart Rock
€TBA
26 20:00
PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION 8MM Bar Art Punk | Wave
€TBA
26 19:30
SKIING + MOLLY NILSSON | DJ ACID GOLD Schokoladen Indie | Slacker Pop
26 20:30
INFINI METAPHYSIK [LABEL MANIFEST] Acud Macht Neu A/V | Electronic | Experimental Dance
27 22:00
2 YEARS OF SCHMUTZ MAGAZINE FEAT. GOD69
Arkaoda Dance | Experimental Club Music | Fun | Post Punk | Electro | Piñata
€28
28 20:00
LYSISTRATA Cassiopeia Experimental | Metal | Rock
€14
€6
28 20:00
FADERHEAD + ALIENARE Nuke Electronic
€19
28 16:00
HYPNODRONE ENSEMBLE | THE PSYCHEDEKLIC CHOIR | VVRNGDNG | GALL | TREMOR HEX | MEDICINE NOOSE | + MORE Museum Kesselhaus Herzberge Electronic | Harsh Noise | Metal
€TBA
28 19:00
THE LONG NOW Kraftwerk Ambient | Composition | Performance
€35
28 20:00
AVRIL LAVIGNE Columbiahalle LOL | Pop
Sold Out
29 19:00
FULL OF HELL & PRIMITIVE MAN Bi Nuu Death Metal | Grindcore
€14
29 20:00
NOVA TWINS Cassiopeia Rap Rock
€15
30 19:00
ALAZKA Lido Nu Metal
€23
30 20:00
MARTHA + YARAMISO Schokoladen Indie | Melodic Punk
30 20:00
CHICK COREA: TRILOGY Konzerthaus Berlin Composition | Jazz | Piano
€32
31 20:00
PISSE | INFANT SANCHOS Berghain Punk
Sold Out
31 19:00
EASY LIFE Cassiopeia Hip Hop | Indie | R&B
€19
31 20:00
JUNIORE Kantine am Berghain French Pop | Indie
€19
€TBA
€TBA
€7
27 20:00
AKUA NARU Lido Hip Hop | Soul
27 21:00
BORSIG AMP PRE-FEST Loophole Electronic | Experimental | Noise
€TBA
27 23:00
DAGVII Badehaus Bass | Downtempo | House
€TBA
27 20:30
JEALOUSY PARTY | PLATINUM VISION | SIKSA | V/W | GIULIA DEVAL | COUQOULET/SEKI/TAVIL Villa Kuriosum Composition | Electronic | Experimental | Hip Hop
€TBA
27 20:00
MANU DELAGO ENSEMBLE | ALEV LENZ Silent Green Ambient | Composition | Percussion
€20
27 19:30
BEARDYMAN Gretchen Beatbox | Comedy | Dance
€18
10
€24
€TBA
Shows often get cancelled or added at the last minute. For the full listing and latest info, check the dang website: www.schmutzberlin.com
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11
Guessing Gema The Schmutz Guide to Understanding Germany’s Supposed Boogeyman of Music Copyright Protection “GEMA” may not immediately ring familiar,
The subject can seem a bit droll or irrele-
but it has invariably affected your life in
vant if you’re not an active musician, but
Berlin to some degree, particularly if you’re
for the general public, GEMA moved swiftly
a regular reader of this magazine. The
from the periphery into the crosshairs due
Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs-
to the six-year stint that music on YouTube
und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte,
was blocked in Germany. GEMA was
or “GEMA,” was originally founded about
among the last copyright organizations
100 years ago as a collective agency to de-
to reach an agreement with YouTube over
fend music author copyrights and manage
streamed music, purportedly due to lofty
royalties. They act as the collecting agency
demands from the former. But this wasn’t
on behalf of musicians whose music is
their first, nor last, claim to fame. You might
played publicly in Germany. This includes
also remember their Billboard smash from
streaming, on the radio, in bars, cafés, and
2012, “Who Shut the Clubs Down,”1 or
retail stores across the country, as well
2011’s chart-topper, “Kid Better Have My
as in film and television. They handle the
Money.”2
tedious bureaucracy associated with intel-
12
lectual properties, allowing artists to focus
GEMA’s unfavorable reputation has been
on what they do best: sabotage personal
well-documented over the years by more
relationships and make art.
credible publications, though it has been
some time since they caused a proper
administration costs are deducted, this is
uproar in the music community. Public con-
split amongst the membership and rights
troversy or not, we deemed it was time for
holders based on a variety of factors,
a refresher course. Armed with some fresh
such as the usage frequency of the mu-
anecdotes from our quaint music commu-
sical pieces. Every country has their own
nity and the investigative techniques we
comparable iteration, such as BMI in the
acquired from hours of Murder She Wrote,
United States and APRA in Australia. At the
we’ll take a stab at making sense of the
core level, they all operate in the same way
organization.
and cooperate with each other to serve the interests of their respective members. It is
HOW IT WORKS
how GEMA interacts with the venues and
Any musician residing in Germany can
artists in its constituency that sets them
register with GEMA for €90, plus an annual
apart.
renewal fee of €50. You’ll also register any original music you have written so it can be
GEMA VS. VENUES
(theoretically) tracked, ensuring sure you
In an attempt to better understand the
get paid anytime it’s played. From this point
various arrangements between venues and
on, you are also entitled to a payout from
GEMA, we bent the ear of Josh Murphy,
GEMA every time you play a show. It’s
local Renaissance Man and head-honcho at
worth noting that GEMA collects a fee from
Urban Spree. For Urban Spree, they have
the show promoter whether or not you are
a couple different contract arrangements:
a member, so you might as well register
one for their indoor live concerts and club
if you’re an actively performing musician.
nights (Tarif M-CD) and one for background
This applies to touring internationally as
music in their outdoor biergarten (Tarif
well. Regardless of where you play, GEMA
M-U).
will chase down the compensation you’re owed for sharing your intellectual property
Tarif M-CD costs are constructed based on
with the public.
the success of the event, the ticket price, and the venue’s capacity. This fee is paid
GEMA accrues around €900 million every
by the venue, separate from what is paid
year from their fee collection. After their
by the promoter. Ideally, these fees will be
1. In 2012, GEMA announced an update to the licensing fees for dance clubs. The announcement faced immense backlash from the club community, as many clubs reportedly faced 1000% fee increases and were forced to consider closure. 2. GEMA flaunted their apparent lack of a PR department in January 2011 when it sent a letter to 36,000 kindergartens, charging them a yearly lump-sum fee of €56 for the photocopying of music scores with children’s songs on them. Further, the kindergartens were obligated to maintain an exact itemization of each song used.
13
logically formulated and won’t render the event completely unprofitable, but alas, we don’t live in an ideal world. For example, if Urban Spree wanted to hold a live, ticketed show in their biergarten, the fees would be crippling because of the size of the garden. Because the biergarten is 800+ square meters, they’ll be paying fees similar to a venue the size of Columbiahalle, regardless of other seemingly relevant factors, such as stage size, ticket price, or the scale of the artist. These broadstroke policies aren’t particularly surprising among bureaucratic organizations, and to be fair, it’s difficult to create formulas that will fit the diversity of music spaces across the country. What’s more worrisome lies in the details of the other contract agreements. Murphy breaks down the venue’s concerns with their biergarten contract: “They developed a fee based on the 5-month period we’re open, the size of the space, the free entry, and the background music. The fee is not a small amount. My question to them was: how are you going to monitor what we play so that the money is distributed to the artists that are actually paid? To which I didn’t get an answer.” When we posed that very question to a GEMA representative, we were directed to a concise pdf with the following information:
14
My question to them was: how are you going to monitor what we play so that the money is distributed to the artists that are actually paid? To which I didn’t get an answer.” “Most of Germany’s around 2.000 recorded dance floors are discotheques, though there are other dance operations with varying musical offerings. From this heterogeneous collection, a stratified random sampling is created by statistically surveyed [sic] through two-hour program monitoring per week and per dance floor (on randomly selected days and hours), which provides a representative cross-section of the entire spectrum of music titles played during a year. A statistical sample is used to calculate a specific musical work’s percentage of the total playing time of all music played. By using advanced procedures of mathematical statistic [sic] this calculation is quite accurate.” In other words, they track an insignificant percentage of the music publicly played in Germany each week, then extrapolate what music is being played the rest of the time.
From this wild prediction, they distribute
to anyone who has organized a concert in
the collected fees to their members. Con-
Berlin and they’ll testify to GEMA’s fastidi-
sidering the expansive breadth of music
ous nature of fee collection. They’re known
taste, the impossibly niche artists that fill
to use Facebook and—sigh—Schmutz as
collections, and the sheer volume of DJs
resources to track events, then cross-ref-
in Berlin alone, this system for “tracking”
erence their list of registered shows. For
is nothing short of hilarious, assuming you
any past show that leaves a digital trail of
find uncompensated artists funny.
breadcrumbs and wasn’t registered with
Murphy doesn’t seem sold on this method of tracking either. “They don’t seem to have much interest in actually distributing money where it belongs, which is just astonishing to me. With APRA in Australia, every venue suppllies actual ‘play reports’ so that the artist is paid, and when you’re a DJ you always have to provide a setlist.” When pressed about the prospective implementation of more sophisticated or comprehensive means of tracking, the GEMA representative redirected to the same pdf. Having personally DJed on various occasions while in Germany, I can also attest to never providing a setlist, despite paying a GEMA fee every time. Inadvertently or not, this system intrinsically benefits and elevates higher profile artists while leaving niche artists uncompensated in relative obscurity. Unfortunately, the criticisms don’t stop at their illogical and antiquated methods. As of November 5, 2012, the German parliament had received 1863 petitions against GEMA (this number has invariably increased in the last eight years). Speak
them, they will charge a fee that is double the cost of registering an event beforehand. You now have an explanation as to why all of the details for this weekend’s DIY shows read like clues for a scavenger hunt (Schmutz specifically abstains from listing some of our favorite punk shows at the behest of certain venues). As one could imagine, there is significant room for error with such data collection and a policy of “guilty until proven innocent.” For example, how can they guarantee each show actually took place? How can they deduce the difference between a DJ set and live set from a convoluted Facebook event description? One Neukölln cafe-owner shared with us the story of a free, private show that was held after hours in their modest space. The intimate performance of a non-GEMA artist to fifteen friends resulted in a €60 bill from GEMA a year later, only because the cafe owner had erroneously made a Facebook event for it. These types of situations are hardly a rare occurrence and the list of grievances against the organization is as long as it is confounding:
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POOR DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS
HATES CHILDREN
The collective of membership is separated
GEMA flaunted their apparent lack of a PR
into tiers (“full members”, “extraordinary
department in January 2011 when it sent
members”, and “associated members”),
a letter to 36,000 kindergartens, charging
with only the top tier allowed to make
them a yearly lump-sum fee of €56 for
decisions within the organization. Despite
the photocopying of music scores with
only making up about 5% of the constit-
children’s songs on them. Further, the kin-
uency, they take about 65% of the annual
dergartens were obligated to maintain an
earnings and are the only members to have
exact itemization of each song used.
a voice, ultimately allowing them to tailor licensing fees to benefit larger musicians
CORRUPT MANAGEMENT
like themselves.
In 2010, it surfaced that two GEMA employees were guilty of a fraud scheme in which
FORGOING THE RIGHT TO SELF-PUBLISH
money was paid for events that never
If an author wishes to make their mu-
occurred, exposing their system’s vulnera-
sic available on their own website, they
bility to manipulation.
must still pay GEMA fees and fill out the corresponding information sheet, even if the royalties are to be disbursed to them afterwards.
NECESSARY EVIL While it is undeniably enjoyable to tell
LIMITED FLEXIBILITY
the tale of unscrupulous villains whose
Members aren’t allowed to choose how
sole purpose is to screw the little guy, the
their music is licensed, such that it is
story of GEMA is really more one of the
forbidden for a musician to play their own
pitfalls of antiquated bureaucracy fumbling
music royalty-free on an independent radio
through the modern age. Despite being
station.
founded with the best of intentions—protecting the rights of artists—bureaucratic
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SWEEPING TARIFFS
organizations like this most often succumb
As previously referenced, GEMA an-
to their tendency of treating their intended
nounced in 2012 there would be an update
benefactors as data rather than as individ-
to the licensing fees for dance clubs. The
uals. Whether or not they leave a rank taste
announcement faced immense backlash
in the mouth of most of those who have
from the club community, as many clubs
had a lick, the protection of intellectual
reportedly faced 1000% fee increases.
properties is an invaluable service. Despite
Berghain reportedly considered closing as
their history of frustrations, Urban Spree’s
a result.
Murphy endorses cooperation with them:
The good news is that there are possible alternatives. If you’re an artist that hails
“I completely support paying GEMA. Even
from another country, you aren’t obligated
all of the promoters that we work with play
to switch from your home country’s GEMA
by the rules, because everyone under-
equivalent. For those who aren’t so lucky,
stands that the music should go back to the
Cultural Commons Collecting Society (CS3)
artists.”
has been teasing their launch for the better part of a decade and it sounds like their
Whether it’s due to or in spite of the city’s
launch is finally imminent. The new collec-
impressive creative output, there is an
tive would mean an end to GEMA’s uncon-
unfortunate and pervasive trend to exploit
tested monopoly in Germany and boasts
this abundant creativity. It’s not unheard
many of the services that GEMA lacks, such
of for bar owners to organize live music
as voting power for all members regardless
or DJs in exchange for “exposure.” Heck,
of size, plus adequate music tracking soft-
this very publication is largely sustained
ware that reflects the year we live in. They
by the uncompensated contributions from
have noted that they’ll reach their goal of
generous creatives and/or guys I meet at
becoming a viable alternative sooner with
the bus stop.
the support of the music community, so don’t be shy if you might be interested in
So, while few are onboard with GEMA’s
getting involved. Otherwise, the lot of us
Kafkaesque enforcement methods and pol-
our doomed to continued cooperation with
icies, it is potentially still in an artist’s best
the world’s leading troglodytes of copy-
interest to play ball.
rights. / GD
“If the system is working, it means that the artist can supplement their income. It can mean that us, as a venue, can benefit from the artist being able to write their second or third album and come play another show. Once an artist is finally playing festival stages to 10.000 people, they can be earning as much from intellectual property as they would from the ticket sales,” says Murphy.
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HISTORY WITCH with Emily Gale
History Witch celebrates voices that are all too often left out of musical narratives and simultaneously provides historical context for why discussions of gender and sexuality in music continue to matter. Each month the column spotlights historically significant albums or tracks by women, queer, trans, or non-binary musicians.
On 20 March 1990, Sinéad O’Connor released her second album, ushering in a new era of prominent women singer-songwriters. On I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, O’Connor served not only as singer and songwriter, but also arranger, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, producer, drum programmer, and all-around badass. The album is intensely personal and thick with emotional wisdom. We might hear O’Connor as exemplifying stereotypically feminine traits. She is tender and vulnerable. Her musical expressions often dwell in the realms of the soft, smooth, and soothing. In addition, the album orbits around themes of motherhood and in particular, the loss of O’Connor’s mother, who died in a car accident only a few years earlier. But this isn’t the entire picture. O’Connor recontextualizes break-up songs such as “This Is the Last Day of Our Acquaintance” and Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” as laments for the dead. In songs and in life, grief is never simple. Mothers might teach or nurture, but they might also manipulate or harm. Neither does O’Connor shy away from more direct assertions of independence or expressions of rage and fury. Her music embodies the feminist maxim that the personal is political. She intersperses sparse, slow-tempo numbers with tracks featuring bass-heavy string orchestrations and raucous dance-based accompaniments. “I will live by my own policies,” a lyric from “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” serves as O’Connor’s guiding aphorism of autonomy.
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In “Black Boys on Mopeds,” she criticizes the duplicity of politicians, calling out racist acts of police violence and troubling national myths. O’Connor’s voice ranges from ethereal to more full-throated or even shrill, reminding us (if we need reminding) that women have complex emotional lives. Conventionally gendered traits—musical or otherwise— are never sufficient to understand these expressions. O’Connor’s nuance complicates overly simplistic binaries between public and private as well. On a personal note, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got shaped my early feminist consciousness more than any other single record. My cousin, ten years my senior, first introduced me to the album in the early ‘90s and I listened to it on repeat while babysitting her infant daughter. O’Connor, known for her anti-objectifying self-presentation and decrying the status quo, seemed cool and powerful—a lot like my cousin, who was a working single mom putting herself through university at night school. I don’t remember talking about feminism with my cousin, but singing along to these songs on her CD left an indelible witch-shaped imprint on my early-teen self. O’Connor’s name belongs on a long list of influential women who have been willing to put their feet down and their middle fingers up to the patriarchy; may there always be more to come. Dr. Emily Gale is a feminist pop music scholar who lives in Berlin. Email: emily@sentimentalmuseum.com
MUSICIAN CLASSIFIEDS Quit playing with yourself
Feb 18th 2020 Ed RIchwood LOOKING FOR A GUITARIST (OPEN TO OTHER INSTRUMENTS TOO!) FOR A GIG ON 26TH OF MARCH Looking for a guitarist (open to other instruments too!) for a gig on 26th of March (5/6 songs). The music is acoustic rock/grunge. I will play the rhythmic guitar while singing and it would be nice to have another guitar making the arranged melodies in the recordings. There will be bass and drums tooCheck out my music in any major store (Spotify/iTunes/Youtube…) under Ed RIchwood There will be a couple of covers, probably something like Jeff Buckley. Feb 16th 2020 JOO Alexsson LOOKING FOR PIANIST: BASS PLAYER, DRUMMER FOR GERMAN NORTH COAST OPEN AIR GIGS I am producer & singer AWAL artist. Repertoire – Singer Songwriter 14 Ed Sheeran Songs + 10 PopSam Smith, Passenger etc. – 11 of April – 19.00 – 21.30 – 20 of May – or 19.00 to 21.30 or shorter Your payment for per gig will be 300/person. Accommodation solved. More gigs possible – depends how good job you will make. Both gigs Brut-to 2,5 Hour. Please, note that the NET playing time is 20 min shorter because of the conversational part within the gig. ONLY reliable people PELASE! Feb 14th 2020 Giancarlo The melancholy indie-pop band RASKOLNIKOW & SONJA is looking for an experienced cellist. Female preferred. If you can sing, too, it’s a plus...
(continued) We have two EPs out, which – combined – make one album. There is a clear concept behind the band. Listen to the songs and get in touch. https:// soundcloud.com/raskolnikow_sonja/albums facebook.com/raskolnikow.sonja/ Cello parts can be altered for the live performance as long as they still represent the general atmosphere.Rehearsals are once a week at Berliner Rockhaus. Feb 12th 2020 Caspar Moeller PRODUCER and DRUMMER LOOKING FOR MUSICIANS. My name is Caspar (25) from Denmark. I just arrived in Berlin yesterday, and want to meet new people. Ive played drums for around 15 years, and been producing for around 3 years. I have prepared a lot beats before arriving, so im in need of Rappers and vocalist. Its mainly Trap/ HipHop and 80`s (M83). It would be nice to make a band in Berlin, but I would also like to join a band. My main genre would be Rock, Hiphop and Metal. Main influence is Eric Moore and Danny Carey. Feb 11th 2020 Roberto GUITARIST/BASSIST (POST-HARDCORE) Guitarist/Bassist looking to join (or start) a Post-Hardcore/Post-Rock band in Berlin. I’ve played in bands before and I’m really looking forward to doing it again.If you are looking for a bandmate that’s into: Thursday, Envy, Frodus, Unwound, Russian Circles, Helmet, Hopesfall, These Arms are Snakes, Refused, Cult of Luna, Deftones Caspian, Cloakroom etc … I’m your guy! :D.
Feb 11th 2020 Sebastian HARMONICA PLAYER LOOKING TO MAKE MUSIC/RECORD I’m a harmonica player looking for a band or any kind of project. I’m looking to play more regularly and hopefully record too. I’ve got a lot of different influences, and even though I can play standard blues and rock harmonica, I like to delve into other genres as well, where you wouldn’t normally expect this instrument, so I can push myself to play it differently and discover new grounds. I also play guitar (and sing a bit). IG: @sebhoch Feb 9th 2020 Nathan Urban VOCALIST LOOKING FOR (OR TO FORM) EMOTIVE HARDCORE BAND hey, my name is nate and i’m a 25 year old vocalist and musician from the US living here in berlin. currently i’m the vocalist of getting away with treason, but I’m looking to find people that are trying to make music a full time project and plan to become a touring band. i“d like to make some emotive hardcore music. my main reference for the type of music i’d like to create is State Faults, or basically any other band that would play Miss The Stars fest. my first solo works from 2017: soundcloud.com/nathanurban/sets/needs Feb 9th 2020 Guy BASS PLAYER AVAILABLE. I’m a bass player based in London and I am interested in joining a band / act to play shows in Germany having played a lot in London previously. I live very near to a London airport so access is not an issue. I’m in to stuff like Foals and my age is mid 30s. I have decent equipment and could relocate some of it to Germany if needed.
Feb 9th 2020 Oskar KEYS FOR JAZZ, FUNK & SOUL After having moved quite fresh to the capital, I (25 y/o) am now looking for a project in the fields of jazz, funk and soul (with a lot of goodwill also blues, pop and rock). So far I have covered in two band projects in the Indi- and Soul area that are relevant for me and played my own compositions. 6 Years of stage and studio experience are therefore available . Everything else we can discuss in person in the Noisy-Room! Feb 8th 2020 Sebastian Lenehan 30 YEAR OLD AUSTRALIAN DRUMMER LOOKING FOR A BAND OR BUSKING PARTNERS I’m moving to Germany in March. I have been drumming since I was 17 and played in 10 or so bands and on 10 albums and EPs. It’s my absolute passion and I want to find a band or busking partners and play for a living, tour or hit the streets or all of the above. I have found myself in a lot of rock/heavy rock bands, I grew up playing hardcore punk. I am more into funky, groove based stuff now that people can dance too. I am open to all styles and feel I can be quite versitile. My favourite band at the moment is king gizzard and the lizard wizard... Feb 7th 2020 Niko FADING FUTURE LOOKING FOR NEW DRUMMER We are a 3 piece alternative rock band from Berlin formed in 2017. Our style could be summarized as a mixture of post punk, stoner and indie/ alt rock. We are looking for: Passionate drummer approaching drums as an integral musical part. Excited about playing gigs (5 per year), recording and shooting videos. Be reliable, well organized and happy to contribute time and money...
Listing supplied by Noisy Rooms. For full listing, to reply, or to post your own, visit: noisy-musicworld.com/rooms/#board 19
SHOWS OF NOTE We're a very credible source BIG THIEF MONDAY / 05.03
Astra Everyone’s new favorite band, Big Thief released two albums in 2019 that catapulted them to world tours, latenight shows, and other weird shit. Don’t be deceived by the tranquility of U.F.O.F. and their hippy appearance, their shows promise blistering guitar solos, penetrating drums, and Adrienne Lenker scarring her vocal chords for your morbid enjoyment. FFO Snail Mail, Mitski, Wilco / FP
Columbiahalle More like King Krooner: the baritone coming out of this stickthin ginger is nuts. Introspective bits of self-deprecation swirl with a keen sizing-up of the nausea-inducing world that surrounds us all, King Krule aka Archy Marshal aka Shrimp Pimp, has been turning a black mirror on the world since he was a preteen and going by the name Zoo Kid. FFO Ariel Pink, Connan Mockasin / NP
JOZEF VAN WISSEM FRIDAY / 13.03
Zunkunft am Ostkreuz Familiar to many thanks to the masterful soundtrack of Only Lovers Left Alive and his collaborations with Jim Jarmusch and SQÜRL, JVW among the most underrated composers of our time. His live performances become scarily personal experiences. So yes, you should totally go to this lute music concert. FFO Philip Glass, Terry Riley, the middle ages / FP
Gretchen YIN YIN is one of those lucky finds from Bandcamp that has you feeling blessed by the skies. The Dutch instrumental outfit plays Asian-inspired music, with their added twist of fuzzy guitars and groovy rhythms. In case you were unsure if these guys regularly participate in ayahuasca ceremonies, their songs entitled “Alpaca” and “The Sacred Valley of Cusco” will remove all doubt. FFO Khruangbin, Altin Gün, Moon Duo / FP
TEMPERS FRIDAY / 20.03
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KING KRULE SUNDAY / 08.03
YIN YIN SATURDAY / 14.03
Urban Spree If you missed Boy Harsher last year, Tempers is a pretty suitable replacement. The dark indie duo crafts waves that resemble Fleetwood Mac, Kraftwerk, Joy Division, all at once. Their atmospheric performances sing songs of psychological complexities and if modern existence is worthy. This might be the perfect plan for your OK Cupid date. FFO Boy Harsher, Soft Moon, Holygram / FP
Säälchen What’s not to love about a 50 year-old dude playing techno beats to arab melodies and blowing kisses at the crowd? After leaving Syria in 2011, Souleyman has been spreading the love, infectious grooves, and scent of oud all over the world. If you missed him last year at Festsaal Kreuzberg, here’s your chance to redeem yourself. FFO Habibi Funk, Delfín, wedding DJs / FP
AUTONOMA INDUSTRIALE SATURDAY / 21.03
Kulturhaus Kili “Lights of Post Industrial Renaissance, For a New Decade of Noise.” Autonoma Industriale is an event series after our own heart. This edition features an impossibly large lineup, with Atari Teenage Riot’s Zan Lyons at the top. Also worthy of your attention are local trash punks, Stinkhole, industrial-sludge three-piece, SkuV, and more terrifying electronic music than you can shake a stick at. We dare you to try and shake a stick at it. FFO loud noises in dark places / GD
8MM Bar Drawing inspiration from West Berlin art collectives of the 1980s, PDOA are a music writers worst nightmare. Genres and associations fall far short, but we’re going to go with “a mix of post-punk, improv, and jazz.” The veritable supergroup features members of Plattenbau, Das Gegenteil, and München blues rock heartthrob, Jesper Munk, and is a welcome dose of novelty for the local scene. FFO Talking Heads, Bodega, sucking face on the U-Bahn / GD
2 YEARS OF SCHMUTZ MAG FRIDAY / 27.03
OMAR SOULEYMAN SATURDAY / 21.03
PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION THURSDAY / 26.03
Arkaoda If we wanted to get technical, Schmutz is at least three years old (even older if you believe life begins at conception). But it’s been two years since we decided to fulfill our dream of delivering 5.000 magazines in the rain each month, which seems like a good excuse to party. Even if you didn’t already feel morally obligated to attend (you should), we’ve convinced a bunch of sick local artists to make this thing a legitimate hoot. Yes, there will be piñatas again. FFO dancing, following your dreams, cultural capital / GD
Kraftwerk The Long Now is the annual closing event for MaerzMusik’s Festival for Time Issues. Set in the looming halls of Kraftwerk, the 30-hour fest within a fest is a bit like a baby Berlin Atonal for people who prefer weed over speed. The lineup is spectacularly curated with various large ensembles flexing their neoclassical might. Bear in mind that this is an overnight festival for ambient music, so maybe bring an inflatable mattress. FFO slumber parties / GD
THE LONG NOW SAT-SUN / 28-29.03
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FAKE NEWS/FAKE NEWS/FAKE
All-Male Punk Band Written off as Gimmick by David Britton Recently formed punk rock band The Broke Scabs has caught the attention of many within the local scene for their bold lineup choice to feature only men, according to multiple sources. Jodi Pope, who runs the popular DIY venue Snake Pit near downtown Cincinnati, admitted she was reluctant to book the all-male quartet when they first approached her. “I thought it was adorable that they thought anyone would take them seriously,” said Pope. “But, hey — a couple of them were cute, so I figured maybe it wouldn’t hurt to let them have an opening spot or something.” Members of the Broke Scabs are fighting back against the stereotype that men and punk rock do not mix. “I know a lot of people aren’t used to seeing this. People ask all the time how the band even came together,” said lead vocalist Todd McGuffin, looking effortlessly chic in a blue t-shirt and straight leg jeans. “They assume our moms were in bands, or that our girlfriends were in a band and we wanted
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to open for them, but the truth is we met in grad school. Danny was getting a masters in classical guitar, and Matt had played drums since junior high. We all loved old-school punk. We’d get together all the time just to listen to records and talk about music.” “They are such a joke — people only support them so they can look ‘woke’ on Facebook,” said Laura Stockwell, drummer for longrunning punk band Paradise Rats. “I heard they only get gigs because they let the promoters give them blow jobs.” The first Broke Scabs performance was shut down when drummer Matt Martin took off his shirt halfway through their set, prompting an audience member to call the police. “We don’t put up with indecent exposure in this city,” said Lt. Mark Sullivan of the Cincinnati Police, one of the responders to the call. “It doesn’t matter how hot it was that night, or if the air conditioning wasn’t working — there were impressionable young girls in that audience who had no business seeing a male nipple.”
Quality music journalism provided by thehardtimes.net
NEWS/FAKE NEWS/FAKE NEWS JUST THE TIPS with Kevin Chow
2. Eye Catching Design I mean, he can literally write anything he wants in this stupid half page I’ve given him and he once wrote an entire month’s tips about a turtle farm. I think he was the only one who thought that was funny.
Hey hello hi howdy ciao Berlino. Long
3. Location, Location, Location
time no tips. I’ve been on a pilates retreat
Honestly I don’t know if I can do this
for the past few months and boy are my
anymore.
arms tired. But I’m back and I’m feeling calmer, more collected, moisturized, and full of piping hot tips to help your life in Berlin be, if not smoother, more fun and exciting. That’s why, this month, for my triumphant return to the back pages of Schmutz, I’ll give you the skinny on how to start your own free, Berlin-based independent live music publication. Follow these five steps, and you’ll practically be printing money. Let’s go! 1. Contributor Network
4. Get a Good Steuerberater It’s just so much more work than I thought it would be. Does anyone even read this? 5. Have Fun Fuck Kevin, seriously. 6. Use Spreadsheets Spreadsheets are a simple and effective way to keep track of your tasks and stay organized.
The folks who write articles for you can make (or break) your publication. You certainly don’t want to postpone print day because one of your contributors hasn’t written their monthly tips column for the seventh month in a row. And no matter how early you remind him, he continually disappoints you with extremely half-assed, mostly unfunny tips.
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