Christoph Heemann: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|German musician}} |
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{{BLP sources|date=May 2010}} |
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'''Christoph Heemann''' (born 1964) is a German musician.<ref>{{cite web |title=Christoph Heemann |website=christophheemann.de |url=http://christophheemann.de |access-date=2016-02-29}}</ref> He was born in [[Aachen]], West Germany. |
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Heemann has recorded under his own name, with the [[tape music]] group [[H.N.A.S.]] ({{langx|de|Hirsche Nicht Aufs Sofa}}, meaning "No deer on the sofa" or "deer not on the sofa"),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fakejazz.info/articles/coolerthanyou/hnas.shtml |title=Cooler Than You: Hirsche Nicht Aufs Sofa |first=Gil |last=Gershman |date=2002-08-16 |website=Fakejazz |access-date=16 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402140623/http://www.fakejazz.info/articles/coolerthanyou/hnas.shtml |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p168862|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography: Christoph Heemann|last=Bush|first=John|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=3 May 2010}}</ref> and with many collaborators in [[alternative rock]], soundtrack production and visual arts. |
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'''Christoph Heemann''', born on November 2, 1964 in Aachen, West Germany, is an accomplished tape and electronics avantgarde experimentalist, working in the fields of alternative rock music, soundtrack production and visual arts and has been active in these fields for over twenty-five years now. |
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== Early |
== Early years and creation of H.N.A.S. == |
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Heemann's early favorites included [[Van Dyke Parks]], and offbeat experimentalists like American West Coast radicals [[The Residents]], [[Tuxedomoon]], [[Chrome (band)|Chrome]], [[MX-80 Sound]] and [[Renaldo and the Loaf]]. |
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Though his hometown featured some notable experimental rock groups (like [[Rufus Zuphall]] and [[Necronomicon]]), Heemann was largely unaware of them and of the larger "[[Krautrock]]" movement until introduced to it via British or American friends. Largely self-taught in electronic equipment, Heemann started out as a "non-musician" with acquaintance Achim P. Li Khan. The duo's influences at the time included Chrome, [[Jac Berrocal]] (France) and [[Nurse With Wound]]. |
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When Christoph Heemann started listening to rock music, his first musical preferences like Laura Nyro and John Cale directed him early towards what was to know more about popular music than there was available in the media and in books. His visionary search then led him to American West Coast radicals [[The Residents]], [[Tuxedo Moon]], [[Chrome]], [[MX-80 Sound]] and [[Renaldo and the Loaf]] but he was yet fully unaware of the richness of later heavy Krautrock influences. His hometown's now legendary acts like "Rufus Zuphall" and "Necronomicon" were a blank in contemporaries' minds at that time and Heemann "discovered" most Krautrock bands via British or American friends. Largely self-taught in electronic equipment, he started out as a non-musician schoolboy together with Achim Flaam, dabbling in projects such as "Die Bösen Köche" and "Mieses Gegonge" which saw a tape-release and have now become German underground collector's items. Both Flaam and Heemann had meanwhile become under a strong [[Krautrock]] influence, with Krautrock still being derided by some at that time. Aachen's other best-known Kraut Rock acts of the Seventies were the post-[[Klaus Schulze]] electronica disciple [[Robert Schröder]] and Tortilla Flat. Further influences at the time were [[Jac Berrocal]] (France), [[Throbbing Gristle]] (UK) and [[Franco Battiato]] (Italy) amongst others. These activities finally led to the creation of the "[[Faust]]"-influenced unit "H.N.A.S." (i.e. [[Hirsche Nicht Aufs Sofa]]) after meeting up with [[Steve Stapleton]] from [[Nurse With Wound]]. The duo's first step on the record-producing market were two self-produced samplers on their own "Dom"-Label called "Ohrensausen" and "Ohrenschrauben", now widely sought-after releases which featured various artists like [[P16D4]], [[Organum]], [[H.N.A.S.,]] and [[Nurse with Wound]].Highly experimental, both samplers were a far cry from what an ordinary audience would expect and thus were reviewed in British magazines with mixed feelings and largely ignored in Germany. They extended their duo by including Heemann's brother [[Andreas Martin]] on guitar and Nicole Schmidt on vocals. This quartet cut several full-length albums, the third of which "Im Schatten der Möhre" (1987) met with critical acclaim and can be regarded as their major work. Other titles include "Aufmarsch der Schlampen", "Küttel im Frost" and "Abwassermusik" and give proof of an extraordinary sense of humour and a profound knowledge of German underground as they are full of references to major Krautrock electronicisms. Their seven copies-only release "The book of Dingenskirchen", the title being an ironic reference to [[Deep Purple's]] album "Book of Talieysin" and Germans' pseudo-correct pronunciation of English names, was allegedly feverishly sought after by the [[Dead Kennedys]]' [[Jello Biafra]]. The album fetched up to 700 dollars on the collector's market and the seven copies came in seven different record jackets each designed by Christoph Heemann himself, as were most of the other Heemann/H.N.A.S. productions. |
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These activities finally led to the creation of the "[[Faust]]"-influenced unit "H.N.A.S." (i.e. [[Hirsche Nicht Aufs Sofa]], roughly "Deer not on the Sofa") after meeting up with [[Steven Stapleton]] from the like-minded [[Nurse With Wound]]. The duo's first step on the record-producing market were two self-produced samplers (released on their own "Dom"-Label) ''Ohrensausen'' and ''Ohrenschrauben''. Featured various artists like [[P16.D4]], [[Organum]], [[H.N.A.S.]], and [[Nurse With Wound]]. |
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H.N.A.S. sometimes included Heemann's brother Andreas Martin on guitar and Nicole Schmidt on vocals. This quartet cut several full-length albums, the third of which ''Im Schatten der Möhre'' (1987) met with critical acclaim and can be regarded as their major work. Other titles include ''Melchior – Aufmarsch der Schlampen'', ''Küttel im Frost'' and ''Abwassermusik'' and give proof of an extraordinary sense of humour and a profound knowledge of German underground as they are full of references to major Krautrock electronicisms. Another notable H.N.A.S. album was "The book of Dingenskirchen"—the title being an ironic reference to Psychic TV's 23 live LPs and Germans' pseudo-correct pronunciation of English names by referring to and ridiculing the title of the [[Deep Purple]] album "[[The Book of Taliesyn]]". It was issued in different record jackets, each designed by H.N.A.S., as were most of the other H.N.A.S. productions. Rumour has it that the "[[Dead Kennedys]]'" [[Jello Biafra]] desperately sought to get hold of a copy of this extremely limited issue. |
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In 1988, Flaam and Heemann called it a day with their final common production "Ach dieser Bart", displaying their growing dissent over musical conceptions. The LP was split into two completely different sides: Side A showed Flaam's treatment of German Schlager and can be regarded as a late retrospective or meta-[[Neue Deutsche Welle]]. Side B's single track, "Als der Morgen kam, war es, als sei nur eine Nacht vergangen" was entirely composed by Heemann and made use of his brother's manifold musical contributions; it also included [[Andreas Martin]] on guitar, violin, bass, keyboards and percussion). It was over twenty minutes long and a heavy reminder of Heemann's early fascination and influence: [[Terry Riley]]-esque minimalism. Later, this track was re-released on the Double CD "Lebenserinnerungen eines Lepidopterologen", a sampler summarizing the two brothers' musical solo and teamwork. |
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In 1993, H.N.A.S. disbanded due to creative differences. Their final album, "Willkür nach Noten", displayed their growing dissent. This became apparent on the previous "Ach dieser Bart" album: Khan and Heemann were each responsible for a side of the LP. |
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After disbanding both went into different directions. The growing interest of U.S. and British artists and markets in German productions, fostered by Krautrock re-discoveries of now legendary electronica artists such as [[Neu]] helped re-kindle the spark of new activities: International contacts and curiosity became more prolific and Heemann's new projects included numerous collaborations with [[Edward Ka-Spel]] ([[The Legendary Pink Dots]]) with whom he produced a.o. the magnificent "Kata-Climici-China-Doll" and later worked together in the band "[[Mimir]]", composed half-and-half of [[H.N.A.S.]] and [[Legendary Pink Dots]]. He also worked with the German musician/performer [[Limpe Fuchs]], U.S.'s [[Jim O'Rourke]] now of [[Sonic Youth]]-fame and has various band projects with varying members. [[Mirror]], a duo with established English drone musician Andrew Chalk was a very fruitful collaboration with many releases, often initially appearing in limited, hand-made editions before being reissued in more widely available form. This unit ceased to exist around 2005, although a handful of unreleased recordings are still scheduled to be issued. Heemann has also worked with [[David Tibet]] from "[[Current 93]]" and was a more or less steady member of that group during the late 90's. |
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After disbanding both went into different directions. Heemann's new projects included numerous collaborations with [[Edward Ka-Spel]] (from [[The Legendary Pink Dots]]) with whom he produced "Kata-Climici-China-Doll" and later worked together in the band "[[Mimir (band)|Mimir]]", composed half-and-half of [[H.N.A.S.]] and [[Legendary Pink Dots]]. He also worked with the German musician/performer [[Limpe Fuchs]], and with the U.S.'s [[Jim O'Rourke (musician)|Jim O'Rourke]]. |
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Mirror, a duo with established English drone musician Andrew Chalk was a very fruitful collaboration with many releases, often initially appearing in limited, hand-made editions before being reissued in more widely available form. This unit ceased to exist around 2005, although a handful of unreleased recordings are still scheduled to be issued. Heemann has also worked with [[David Tibet]] from "[[Current 93]]" and was a semi-steady member of that group during the late 1990s. |
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In Camera, another duo project with Af Ursin's Timo Van Luyck was started in 2004 and has produced four albums so far, the self-titled first album (Some fine legacy), Open Air (Robot), Rumours (DOM BW) and Frampton comes alive (La Scie Doree) presenting yet another facet of Heemann's ideas of textural electroacustica, this time with a focus on improvisation. |
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After the split-up of H.N.A.S. he also became active as a Solo-artist: The number of TV appearances (such as in [[Nancy]], France), live-performances in locations such as [[Austin]], [[Chicago]], [[Toronto]], and [[Tokyo]] became more frequent without Heemann neglecting his native Germany as a place of production, radio airplay and stage activities. His music now has an increasingly growing approach towards tape music sampling showcasing his punditlike knowledge of any field of popular music created in the 20th and 21st century. Soloworks include titles such as "Invisible Barrier"(1992, "Aftersolstice"(1994), and "Days of the Eclipse" (1996). |
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In 1996, the German magazine "Testcard" consecrated large parts of a lengthy article on Heemann's band and solo efforts and described Dom productions as one of the first German labels for experimental and industrial music. His recent musical influences have shifted from a strongly European-North American impact towards a central ([[Perez Prado]]) and South American leaning with a strong focus on Brazilian artists. |
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After the split-up of H.N.A.S., Heemann also became active as a solo-artist: The number of TV appearances (such as in [[Nancy, France]]), live-performances in locations such as [[Austin, Texas]], [[Chicago]], [[Toronto]], and [[Tokyo]] became more frequent. Solo works include titles such as ''Invisible Barrier'' (1992), ''Aftersolstice'' (1994), ''Days of the Eclipse'' (1996), ''Magnetic Tape Splicing'' (1997), "The Rings of Saturn"(2010), the latter being an allusion to the German novel of the same name by W.G. Sebald, one of Heemann's favourite authors. |
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Heemann also worked as a producer and engineer on albums by artists such as [[Keiji Haino]], [[Charlemagne Palestine]], [[Organum]] and [[Pantaleimon]]. |
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As a visual artist Heemann has created album sleeves for [[Jim O'Rourke (musician)|Jim O'Rourke]], [[The Teargarden]], [[The Aeolian String Ensemble]], [[Edward Ka-spel]] and [[Limpe Fuchs]] amongst others. |
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== Discography == |
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* ''Mimir'' (1990) (as a member of [[Mimir (band)|Mimir]]) |
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* ''Invisible Barrier'' (1993) |
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* ''Sleeper Awakes on the Edge of the Abyss'' (1993) (with [[Merzbow]]) |
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* ''Aftersolstice'' (1994) |
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* ''Days of the Eclipse'' (1997) |
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* ''Mirror of the Sea'' (2000) (with Andrew Chalk) |
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* ''Motherfuckers Live + Hot Buttered Xhol'' (2001) (with [[Xhol Caravan]], Current Ninety Three, and [[Nurse with Wound]]) |
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* ''Time Is the Simplest Thing'' (2003) |
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* ''Untitled'' (2006) (with [[Andreas Martin (singer)|Andreas Martin]]) |
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* ''The Rings of Saturn'' (2008) |
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* ''Saiten In Flammen'' (2009) (with [[Charlemagne Palestine]]) |
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* ''Painting with Priests'' (2009) (with [[Steven Stapleton]]) |
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* ''Bloomington Indiana... Autumn'' (2010) (with [[Lee Ranaldo]] and [[Jim O'Rourke (musician)|Jim O'Rourke]]) |
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* ''Plastic Palace People, Vol. 1'' (2011) (with Jim O'Rourke) |
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* ''Plastic Palace People, Vol. 2'' (2011) (with Jim O'Rourke) |
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* ''[[Locrian & Christoph Heemann]]'' (2012) (with [[Locrian (band)|Locrian]]) |
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* ''Time and Again'' (2013) |
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* ''Five Easy Pieces (With Intermission)'' (2013) |
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* ''Macchia Forest'' (2013) (with Limpe Fuchs and Timo van Luijk) |
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* ''While the City Sleeps'' (2014) (with Tom Sveta) |
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* ''Perception & Association'' (2015) |
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* ''Stürmische Ruhe'' (2020) (with Brunhild Ferrari) |
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* ''End of an Era'' (2023) |
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* ''Project Pope'' (2023) (with Gerard Herman) |
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== External links == |
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* [https://www.discogs.com/artist/55325-Christoph-Heemann Christoph Heemann on Discogs] |
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* [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/christoph-heemann-mn0000781507 Christoph Heeman on AllMusic] |
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* [https://christophheemann.bandcamp.com/ Christoph Heemann on BandCamp] |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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{{Current 93}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Heemann, Christoph}} |
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[[Category:1964 births]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:Current 93 members]] |
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Latest revision as of 14:46, 30 November 2024
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Christoph Heemann (born 1964) is a German musician.[1] He was born in Aachen, West Germany.
Heemann has recorded under his own name, with the tape music group H.N.A.S. (German: Hirsche Nicht Aufs Sofa, meaning "No deer on the sofa" or "deer not on the sofa"),[2][3] and with many collaborators in alternative rock, soundtrack production and visual arts.
Early years and creation of H.N.A.S.
[edit]Heemann's early favorites included Van Dyke Parks, and offbeat experimentalists like American West Coast radicals The Residents, Tuxedomoon, Chrome, MX-80 Sound and Renaldo and the Loaf.
Though his hometown featured some notable experimental rock groups (like Rufus Zuphall and Necronomicon), Heemann was largely unaware of them and of the larger "Krautrock" movement until introduced to it via British or American friends. Largely self-taught in electronic equipment, Heemann started out as a "non-musician" with acquaintance Achim P. Li Khan. The duo's influences at the time included Chrome, Jac Berrocal (France) and Nurse With Wound. These activities finally led to the creation of the "Faust"-influenced unit "H.N.A.S." (i.e. Hirsche Nicht Aufs Sofa, roughly "Deer not on the Sofa") after meeting up with Steven Stapleton from the like-minded Nurse With Wound. The duo's first step on the record-producing market were two self-produced samplers (released on their own "Dom"-Label) Ohrensausen and Ohrenschrauben. Featured various artists like P16.D4, Organum, H.N.A.S., and Nurse With Wound.
H.N.A.S. sometimes included Heemann's brother Andreas Martin on guitar and Nicole Schmidt on vocals. This quartet cut several full-length albums, the third of which Im Schatten der Möhre (1987) met with critical acclaim and can be regarded as their major work. Other titles include Melchior – Aufmarsch der Schlampen, Küttel im Frost and Abwassermusik and give proof of an extraordinary sense of humour and a profound knowledge of German underground as they are full of references to major Krautrock electronicisms. Another notable H.N.A.S. album was "The book of Dingenskirchen"—the title being an ironic reference to Psychic TV's 23 live LPs and Germans' pseudo-correct pronunciation of English names by referring to and ridiculing the title of the Deep Purple album "The Book of Taliesyn". It was issued in different record jackets, each designed by H.N.A.S., as were most of the other H.N.A.S. productions. Rumour has it that the "Dead Kennedys'" Jello Biafra desperately sought to get hold of a copy of this extremely limited issue.
In 1993, H.N.A.S. disbanded due to creative differences. Their final album, "Willkür nach Noten", displayed their growing dissent. This became apparent on the previous "Ach dieser Bart" album: Khan and Heemann were each responsible for a side of the LP.
Mimir, Mirror, In Camera and Current 93
[edit]After disbanding both went into different directions. Heemann's new projects included numerous collaborations with Edward Ka-Spel (from The Legendary Pink Dots) with whom he produced "Kata-Climici-China-Doll" and later worked together in the band "Mimir", composed half-and-half of H.N.A.S. and Legendary Pink Dots. He also worked with the German musician/performer Limpe Fuchs, and with the U.S.'s Jim O'Rourke.
Mirror, a duo with established English drone musician Andrew Chalk was a very fruitful collaboration with many releases, often initially appearing in limited, hand-made editions before being reissued in more widely available form. This unit ceased to exist around 2005, although a handful of unreleased recordings are still scheduled to be issued. Heemann has also worked with David Tibet from "Current 93" and was a semi-steady member of that group during the late 1990s.
In Camera, another duo project with Af Ursin's Timo Van Luyck was started in 2004 and has produced four albums so far, the self-titled first album (Some fine legacy), Open Air (Robot), Rumours (DOM BW) and Frampton comes alive (La Scie Doree) presenting yet another facet of Heemann's ideas of textural electroacustica, this time with a focus on improvisation.
Solo works
[edit]After the split-up of H.N.A.S., Heemann also became active as a solo-artist: The number of TV appearances (such as in Nancy, France), live-performances in locations such as Austin, Texas, Chicago, Toronto, and Tokyo became more frequent. Solo works include titles such as Invisible Barrier (1992), Aftersolstice (1994), Days of the Eclipse (1996), Magnetic Tape Splicing (1997), "The Rings of Saturn"(2010), the latter being an allusion to the German novel of the same name by W.G. Sebald, one of Heemann's favourite authors.
Heemann also worked as a producer and engineer on albums by artists such as Keiji Haino, Charlemagne Palestine, Organum and Pantaleimon.
As a visual artist Heemann has created album sleeves for Jim O'Rourke, The Teargarden, The Aeolian String Ensemble, Edward Ka-spel and Limpe Fuchs amongst others.
Discography
[edit]- Mimir (1990) (as a member of Mimir)
- Invisible Barrier (1993)
- Sleeper Awakes on the Edge of the Abyss (1993) (with Merzbow)
- Aftersolstice (1994)
- Days of the Eclipse (1997)
- Mirror of the Sea (2000) (with Andrew Chalk)
- Motherfuckers Live + Hot Buttered Xhol (2001) (with Xhol Caravan, Current Ninety Three, and Nurse with Wound)
- Time Is the Simplest Thing (2003)
- Untitled (2006) (with Andreas Martin)
- The Rings of Saturn (2008)
- Saiten In Flammen (2009) (with Charlemagne Palestine)
- Painting with Priests (2009) (with Steven Stapleton)
- Bloomington Indiana... Autumn (2010) (with Lee Ranaldo and Jim O'Rourke)
- Plastic Palace People, Vol. 1 (2011) (with Jim O'Rourke)
- Plastic Palace People, Vol. 2 (2011) (with Jim O'Rourke)
- Locrian & Christoph Heemann (2012) (with Locrian)
- Time and Again (2013)
- Five Easy Pieces (With Intermission) (2013)
- Macchia Forest (2013) (with Limpe Fuchs and Timo van Luijk)
- While the City Sleeps (2014) (with Tom Sveta)
- Perception & Association (2015)
- Stürmische Ruhe (2020) (with Brunhild Ferrari)
- End of an Era (2023)
- Project Pope (2023) (with Gerard Herman)
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Christoph Heemann". christophheemann.de. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
- ^ Gershman, Gil (16 August 2002). "Cooler Than You: Hirsche Nicht Aufs Sofa". Fakejazz. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ Bush, John. "Biography: Christoph Heemann". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
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