It’s been a while since my last blog post as it’s been a hectic summer, and I wanted to continue the story on how Hidden Recordings came into existence in hopes it’ll show people out there that life is truly random, and good things happen if you continue to push what you love.

Now onto the post for this month and I wanted to introduce my friend and production partner, Dieter Krause.

I often get asked, “Who is this Dieter Krause you work with and how did you meet him.  Does he really exist?”  The answer is of course yes, and here’s how it happened:

It ties into the Boogaloo compilation I released back in 2004.  I had licensed a moody hypnotic track named “Cherchez Moi” from the German label Plong, produced by Laplaceausoleil.  About a year after I released the compilation I received an email from Dieter who I wasn’t aware was a part of Laplaceausoleil.  We began to speak more and more on the music we enjoy and love, and I quickly found Dieter’s knowledge runs deep of all styles and genres, and most important, across generations.  Sometimes I even felt inadequate, asking what I felt was like dumb questions, about the artists he was talking about.  I realized I had spent so much time focusing on techno, that I lost part of old identity, and to what makes music so great – the different styles and genres that can evoke the same feelings of bliss.  It was a great reminder that I loved jazz, blues, and classic rock.  I also learned a ton about some of the older music from Europe, and even the States that Dieter loved, which I would then became curious and Google to learn all about.  To those reading, always remember your musical roots and what first inspired you before you took the leap into the world of electronica.

The music we had most in common was the psychedelic, emotional styles of the 60′s and 70′s with Pink Floyd being our favorite.  We would email back and forth about our favorites songs, and from there we would both give recommendations of similar styles and bands.  We both agreed that we should have been at Woodstock, taking in all the sounds, sights and vibe of the festival.  We often say to each other that we would have been hippies in former times.

A few months after we began exchanging emails, we began to exchange music files as I was beginning to produce and I wanted Dieter’s critique.  He was patient, probably laughing a little at the files I was initially sending.  But he was always supporting, complimenting my ear and offering suggestions.  I remember he began to tweak out a few files and send off for my critique and to work on.  I was liking what I was hearing and we continued down this path for a few weeks.  Then, towards the end of 2005 (And at the same time, a relationship I was in for almost three years was dissolving) he asked if I wanted to work on tracks together.  It seemed normal to me since has become friends and I thought we should go for it.  Later that week, I booked a flight to Germany in Jan/Feb 06 to begin to work on tracks in person with Dieter.

When I arrived I was a bit nervous, but also excited as we had been working towards this moment for a few months now.  We worked on tracks day and night, with the ideas streaming out of our veins.  I remember feeling on top of the world working on music with him and in between sessions on break, we’d speak to how the thoughts came so naturally, and we had completed our first few tracks.  For those producing with a partner, a production duo should work harmoniously and the partnership should never feel forced, and yes it’s ok to disagree at times

On the same trip, I happened to have a gig in Belgium with John Acquaviva and so I brought Dieter along with me.  The path from his home to Antwerp was not far distance wise, but complicated with many train transfers – five to be exact.  One of those first tracks we named was 5 Trains to Antwerp, a rolling techno rumbler and dedication to our journey to antwerp.

Another track name in that first batch was titled “Freundschaft”, which in German means “Friendship”, an appropriate title as  our love for music continued to be the foundation of a strong friendship.

So it’s been nearly five years I’ve known Dieter, with no signs of slowing down working together.  In fact, in October I’m headed back to Germany to begin our first artist album – our most ambitious project to date.  I’ll be sure to blog from Germany to tell how things are going and how the project is coming along.  It’s going to be a learning experience for us and I’m looking forward to sharing the progress and obstacles that are sure to present itself.  For those who have completed a project like this, your advice is greatly appreciated and most wanted!!

Thanks for reading and enjoy the Electric Zoo pics and cn RV!!

- Deepak

Tags: Deepak Sharma, Hidden Recordings, Minimal, New York, Techno