Michael Schrader set up Tension Control in 2016. The German project directly moved towards EBM…
Michael Schrader set up Tension Control in 2016. The German project directly moved towards EBM paths reminding some pioneers in the genre. A first album “Im Rhythmus Der Maschinen” got released in 2017 on Brandsatz Records. And a second opus “Fortschritt Durch Technik” saw the daylight by the end of 2019. The retro-EBM format got a very positive response among the German EBM lovers. Tension Control can be the best introduced by one of the album titles: “Make EBM Great Again”!
Q: You’re a rather active artist, involved with
different EBM projects. Tell us a bit more about your music background and your
input in all the projects/bands?
Michael: Tension
Control is my main project. I set up Tension Control in 2016 and it were also my
very first steps in producing music. I’ve bought all the stuff including my
first synthesizer and started from zero to figure out how it works. This is why
you can hear a strong development between the first and the second album.
I have defined
the pitch for Tension Control very tightly for myself. No revolutionary
innovations when it comes to content or composing. Typical scene subjects and
also critical- or reflecting views on current themes with simple danceable
synth sequences with analog sound generators. My intention is to keep the old-school
EBM alive.
The restrictions
do not apply for my new project Michael Matters. The sound is influenced by
modern techno music and the instrumental and thematic corridor is open here.
The typical non-complex old-school EBM sequences are the connecting element.
The first previews will be released in the next weeks and the album will be probably
finished until the end of 2020.
Q: You started from zero, but how did you get the idea
to set up Tension Control and what’s the main focus when it comes to sound and
song composition?
Michael: Since I was listening to electronic music in the early 90s, I had a clear preference how a synth should sound like. A lot of commercial techno music had interesting sequences, but covered with a lot of useless rubbish. During the same period I discovered dark-electronic music, which according to me left the goofiness behind, at least mostly. Aggressive energy was added and from this moment I got infected. But it took many years to make the decision to leave my own footprints in this scene. Let’s see how it sounds when I try to arrange structures by leaving away what distracts me from the important components. I can say that’s not as easy as you might think, but now, with “Fortschritt Durch Technik” I’m getting closer to the matter!
Q: Over now to “Fortschritt Durch Technik”. What have been the main sources of inspiration and eventually criteria and references when it comes to production?
Michael: The second album ‘accomplished itself’ without a concrete concept. For me it was a ‘Fortschritt’ -a ‘progress’, getting better in working out the sequences as they sound in my mind. Meanwhile I think, a never ending development. How deeper as I get into it, how more demanding I become… While doing that with a second synthesizer now, I processed the things which got be told and what was happening around me. The unimaginable luck I had, was to get on stage with my heroes, DAF! Can you imagine the feeling to get on a stage as singer the second time in your life with the chance to present your own art as support for one of your all time idols? Everything in 2018 and 2019 went in a breathtaking speed for me; I had to process what was happening musically.
Q: And your music reminds me to DAF. The song “DAF Ist Ewig” definitely sounds as an ode to this EBM pioneer so I can imagine you must have been –like many others of us, particularly shocked by the sudden loss of Gabi Delgado. What can you say about this song and the tragic loss of the DAF leader?
Michael: As I just
told you, I had the chance to meet Robert Görl and Gabi Delgado in person. Robert’s
unique style on the drums has given a direct impulse for this song to me. I put
some simple synth sequences on top of it and diversified them in a
DAF-untypical way, but wrote a text which is condensed to the minimum in best
manner of Gabi.
In my perception, he was very balanced and an introverted, quiet man. But on stage he was totally different, like getting mad and showing his feelings. It’s unforgettable! Yes, I am deeply shocked by this sudden loss. It was much too early in his life. I am almost thankful for all the moments of joy while listening to Robert’s an Gabi’s music, to experience their concerts and for all the inspiration that DAF has given to my art.
Q: Another interesting song and according to me, one of the best from the album is “Brexit! Implosion Initialised”! Is it something like a political song? What did you want to express here and what have been the other lyrical themes on the album?
Michael: Many
thanks, I’m very glad to hear that! Unfortunately it’s not common to deal with
political issues in the EBM scene. But what kind of idiotic attitude is that
please? Most people have an opinion. Let’s discuss the arguments and even if
they are incompatible it’s a chance to improve our tolerance for ambiguity.
“Brexit!” is a song from the first album. This first version paints a picture
of Great Britain’s self chosen suicide by leaving the EU. Everything arranged
around the core message ‘cause of death suicide – the sun shines on a dying
might’. The second version -“Brexit! Implosion Initialised” also puts speech
recordings from nearly the same actors around exactly the same core message.
But now with a completely different result. It is the EU that is committing
suicide by acting like this against its member states.
All lyrics on this album are about love, hate, war, EBM itself or social criticism. In detail or in whole. Everything that has moved me during the last 2 years.
Q: You’re signed on Brandsatz Records, which appears to me as a small label devoted to electro-punk & EBM. Can you introduce the label and do you feel being part of a so-called EBM community?
Michael: Brandsatz Records indeed is a small label, run by a good friend of mine. For Michael Matters I’m looking for a label dealing with more contemporary electronic music. All this organizational tasks around making music annoy me and steal my time and creativity.
Yes, of course I
feel being a part of the EBM community! It’s a very familiar scene where you
know each other. I’m just worried that younger generations seem to find it hard
to access to this kind of music. But life is like this, perhaps the less
adapted young people will develop their own electronic punk one day.
Since you’re here …
… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. And unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.
Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive.
If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 5 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.
The donations are safely powered by Paypal.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.