Thomas Fehlmann: The Umdrehen Ransom Note Mix

2Minute Read

Music

“An overview of recent productions and remixes of mine interspersed with some offbeat inspirations from fellow producers.”

“‘Turning around’ is Thomas Fehlmann’s new magic word.”

‘Umdrehen’ the new album from Thomas Fehlmann’s symbolises his attempts at turning the constraints he acknowledges in both himself and the way he produces music into a strand of positive experiences. The concept of “turning around” is central where Fehlmann disrupts his ambient style with spatial and raw sounds, often resembling field recordings. He describes it as “generative music with an element of chance” and evokes both a wake-up call and a hypnotic effect. It’s an invitation to “turn around” and explore the sonic landscapes of Thomas Fehlmann’s mind, offering an ambient adventure.

Fehlmann has put us together a Umdrehen mixtape of his recent productions and remixes of mine interspersed other producers reflecting the album’s lineage.

Listen and read the interview below:

Ransom Note · Thomas Fehlmann’s Umdrehen Mix

Please introduce yourself…

Who are you:

Thomas Fehlmann

Where are you:

North of berlin in the brandenburg countryside

What are you:

musician

Tell us about the mixtape you’ve put together for us.

The selection is an overview of recent productions and remixes of mine from the last year or so – interspersed by some offbeat inspirations from fellow producers. Basically the mood setting for my new album ‘UMDREHEN’.

If it were to be drawn what would it look like?

An abstract impression of a landscape with pink dots.for example one of those vast, panoramic ‘water lilies’ paintings by Claude Monet.

If it were a food what would it be?
Crispy duck! and the vegetarian option would be a swiss cheese fondue with a grand green salad.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?
‘ein fenster mit aussicht’ as we would say in germany. translates into window with an outlook. that would be in a moving or a still condition

What should we be wearing

Come as you are.

Where was it recorded?

In my home studio in the countryside.

Who got you hooked on electronic music?

The idea of uncharted terrain. a new sound universe. I’d give Conrad Schnitzler the credit to introduce me to the practice of electronic music.

Who would you say are your biggest influences and what are you hoping to achieve with your music?

It was record shops that were the greatest influence I can imagine. There I discovered most of the lasting influences by crate digging and recommendations.

What were your original aspirations as a musician and how do you think you’re shaping up?

I’m an art school musician, so my aspirations have always been pushing the limits for all kinds of art. As an active musician, I can’t really rely on past achievements, you have to prove yourself every day.

Am I excited to dive into the challenges that I have lined up?

Oh yes

Am I looking forward to engaging with the people I am meeting or working with?

Yes

Am I going to my dream job?

Very much so

Am I being compensated fairly for the value I bring to my job?

Just about

Do I feel energised, rested, and confident?

I wish

Your doctor says you need more exercise….what do you take up for exercise?

Bike riding, gardening (already active in both segments)

If you could travel in time…where in time would you go? Why?

Just a quick trip to the summer of love in 1988/89. everything seemed to go in the right direction.

What was the first electronic record you heard and how did it make you feel?

Kraftwerk – Ralf & Florian. It made me feel dumbstruck

How does your brain work when making music? How does it work when you aren’t?

Trying to switch of the brain while working with varying success.

What were the first and last records you bought?
the first album i bought was HELP by the beatles in 1965. the most recent one is by a project of swedish bassplayer Petter Eldh called ENEMY. the album is entitled THE BETRAYAL and was released by We Jazz.

What are you obsessed with at the moment?
Stop smoking

What’s your answer to everything?

I’d rather keep stumm than answering everything.

Anything else we need to discuss?

Having another smoke.

Thomas Fehlmann’s Umdrehen is out now on vinyl and digital on Edition Dur

ORDER LINKS
Vinyl | Digital

www.thomasfehlmann.com/