| Ever since the success of 'Berlin Calling' Paul Kalkbrenner has been selling out concert arenas rather than clubs. As his new album and recent tour documentary become available on zero", we look at the career of Germany's currently most popular techno artist. | ||||
  
On first glance Paul Kalkbrenner's success might be somewhat of a mystery: A balding techno producer in his mid-thirties who can neither sing nor dance, he is definitely not your run-of-the-mill pop star.
He is however a decent actor - his portrayal of a jet-setting techno producer battling drug addiction in 2008's indie film 'Berlin Calling' became a self-fulfilling prophecy (minus the drug problem): Today Kalkbrenner is playing in substantially larger venues than his film alter ego, DJ Ickarus. His Berlin concert last weekend took place in the Waldbühne arena, capacity 15.000, which Kalkbrenner easily sold out - two nights in a row. In many ways Paul Kalkbrenner has brought Berlin techno into the mainstream. He is no Tiesto or David Guetta, whose musical repertoire is drawn straight from the major industry's dance charts. He is also no Deadmau5, combining accessible dance pop with clever branding and marketing ploys. Paul Kalkbrenner represents quite the opposite of stardom, and this might actually be the key for understanding his success. He is very much the average guy from next door, who wears the German national team's football shirt at a gig in Lyon instead of a glittering mouse head, the message being: I am one of you.
Berlin Calling
Paul Kalkbrenner has indeed started his career in Berlin's techno underground, recording a number of increasingly sucessful albums for Ellen Allien's BPitch Control imprint, such as 'Zeit' (2001) and 'Self' (2004), thereby becoming one of the main figureheads for the label's melodic techno sound.
In 2006 independent film director Hannes Stöhr started to work on a feature film that was to be set in Berlin's techno scene. He originally approached Kalkbrenner to contribute to the film's soundtrack, yet in absence of a suitable lead actor, Stöhr eventually asked Kalkbrenner if he would consider playing the part, and Kalkbrenner agreed.
More of a techno version of 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' than a rave movie like 'Human Traffic' or 'Go', 'Berlin Calling' became a sleeper hit, and Kalkbrenner's soundtrack, including the single 'Sky And Sand', which featured Paul's brother Fritz Kalkbrenner on vocals, became a gold-selling album. 2010 - A Live Documentary In the wake of 'Berlin Calling' Paul Kalkbrenner's career sky-rocketed, and he decided to take matters into his own hands. He ended his decade-long relationship with BPitch Control, but instead of throwing himself into the arms of the major industry, he turned completely independent by setting up his own company, Paul Kalkbrenner Musik.
The company's first undertaking was '2010 - A Live Documentary', a full-blown film production, which followed Paul Kalkbrenner's successful 2010 live tour, documenting his sold-out shows in fifteen European cities.
Icke Wieder
Now in 2011 Paul Kalkbrenner returns with a new album, the almost excusingly titled 'Icke Wieder' (Berlin slang for 'Me Again'). In interviews Kalkbrenner readily admits that the album was an idea of his management, yet it was to be recorded on his own terms: No vocal tracks, no pop crossover - 'Icke Wieder' is a classic Paul Kalkbrenner album, fusing instrumental minimal techno with subtle melodies. It is a calm and unexcited album as well, rarely catering to big stadium crowds but instead offering plenty of tranquil moments. It is an album that perfectly fits the unexcited aura of its creator, who seems to accept his stardom with a certain acquiescence.
His latest press photos have him bearing an almost pained expression, yet all seems forgotten when he climbs the stage to lurch into one of his ecstatic three and a half hours sets. In moments like these Paul Kalkbrenner gives the impression of being truly in his element: An accidental pop star, doing it for his fans. Paul Kalkbrenner's album 'Icke Wieder' is out now on Paul Kalkbrenner Musik. Listen to and download more selected Paul Kalkbrenner releases below.
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