Exclusive Interview

Justin St. Vincent from Xtreme Music interviewed Sascha Konietzko of KMFDM on June 23, San Francisco (CA), DNA Lounge.

Xtreme Music: I’m here with Sascha outside the DNA Lounge in San Francisco. I’d like to start the interview by asking, how do you think U.S. audiences are different from the European ones?

Sascha Konietzko: I wouldn’t be able to tell you because we haven’t played in Europe since 1997. That was with Rammstein in front of an average of ten thousand people and they said: “Go! We want Rammstein!” (laughs). But we did play a show in Berlin and show in London without them, and those were excellent! Audiences are pretty much the same worldwide. I think Europeans take a little more time, they take ten or fifteen minutes to take it all in, and then they go nuts! Whereas American audiences often go nuts right away! (laughter)

Xtreme Music: That’s fantastic, and I’m sure it’s gonna be a brilliant show tonight here in San Francisco. I heard the past few albums have been constructed by band members across the country and overseas, by mailing back and forth hard disk drives. In what ways has technology affected your work?

Sascha Konietzko: Well, technology has always been the key thing in KMFDM. I mean, mobility and the need to be interchangable, so to speak, because everyone used to live in different parts of the world. But now, since about two years we have the core of the band living in Seattle and just one member left in London – Steve White. And then Raymond who is the occassional contributor, he’s also in London. The hard disk via mail and MP3 exchange.

Xtreme Music: Could you tell us about your recent DVD release?

Sascha Konietzko: Yeah, it came out yesterday (June 22, 2004) – it’s called “World War III: 2003 Tour” DVD. It’s about three and a half, four hours worth of stuff. I think thirteen or fourteen concert songs, at least five or six music videos are on there, interactive stuff, photos..

Xtreme Music: Great, so plenty of multimedia to look forward to on that release. In the past decade we’ve seen the evolution of KMFDM in terms of production techniques as well as the electronic element added. Where can you see the sound of KMFDM going in the future?

Sascha Konietzko: I think the next album is gonna be a big surprise for everyone! Just because we’re always changing our ideas and going for new grounds, new territories. So it’s hard to predict at this point but I’m sure we’ll surprise ourselves..

Xtreme Music: And in terms of production techniques in the studio, are there any innovative production techniques you’d like to mention?

Sascha Konietzko: What do you mean innovative production techniques?

Xtreme Music: In the studio when you’re recording particular instruments or drum beats and sounds, are there any techniques which your incorporating to give that extra edge to your music?

Sascha Konietzko: Well there’s a lot of live stuff, like all the drums are being recorded in the classical way and then cleaned up much like you clean up clicks and pops on your iPod interviews. Same with the guitars, you-know, we just have our ways. The relatively recent addition of Andy and Jules, our drummer and guitarist, has further enhanced the recording process. Jules is like lengths ahead of myself, when it comes to micing up drum kits and instruments. He knows a lot of classical recording techniques that round up the whole raw sounding edge of KMFDM.

Xtreme Music: What has been the best live show that you’ve ever experienced?

Sascha Konietzko: Last night! (laughter). I dunno, it’s always last night – isn’t it?

Xtreme Music: (laughs).. It’s always the most recent one. Are you guys about to embark on a European tour?

Sascha Konietzko: Yes, we’re going to Russia next Monday, then a couple of dates in Germany and four shows in England, including Scotland..

Xtreme Music: Do you have a favourite city or particular venue you always like to play at?

Sascha Konietzko: Well of course I’m looking forward to going to Hamburg, my home town and seeing a bunch of friends.

Xtreme Music: I also heard that you’ve recently started your own record label. What does that entale and who do you plan to sign to that record label?

Sascha Konietzko: Well there was a little bit of a snag. We had it all set up to have the Watts release, Raymond’s solo project. That got yanked due to some misunderstandings I guess in the chain of command on their end. It sort of left KMFDM records a bit on the high and dry spot, because the only release we have on it so far is the “Opium” CD. But you-know, the future will definitely bring KMFDM records releases.

Xtreme Music: So that record label will be supporting all of your future work including side-projects. Are there any side-projects currently going on that you’d like to mention?

Sascha Konietzko: There’s talk about a collaboration between us an Black Japan, the opening act tonight. We just finished producing and recording an artist from the Seattle area called Charlie Drown. We did the music for the Spiderman 2 video game, and that’s coming out on June 30th.

Xtreme Music: Fantastic! So plenty to look forward to! It’s been an absolute joy to meet you Sascha.