Berlin-based electronic artist NHOAH has shared the visuals for his latest single, ‘120 Red Skies’. This follows the success of ‘zu Remixen’ containing breathtaking remixes by UK acid-house architects 808 State and London-based IDM pioneer µ-Ziq, NHOAH shows no sign of slowing down. “zu Remixen” has since received support from respectable publications such as Resident Advisor, PopMatters, BBC Radio 6 Music’s Nemone as well as being included in The Quietus’ Albums Of The Month.
With an impressive discography and career now spanning over three decades, NHOAH’s initial venture into the music world began by acquiring a drum set at the age of 14. After leaving school and playing in iconic proto-punk bands, it was during this time he then formed the band Peacock Palace, with a single selling over 2 million copies, and being the first German band to have their video on heavy rotation on MTV London.
Mostly using an array of analogue and modular synthesizers from Moog to Doepfer, and Livewire to Prophet, as well as various components of software such as Universal Audio, Ableton and Arturia furthering his unique process. But more recently, NHOAH has been experimenting by exploring new paths in a stripped-down setting. By taking his studio to the road, he has reanimated his whole production process by combining hardware and equipment with software. This development will evolve into the catalyst for the upcoming album, West Berlin, a venture for which he has “started from scratch”, by breathing new life and spirit into his creative outlet.
On inspiration, NHOAH comments: “It’s all about intuition and frequencies. The idea is the power which drives me, the thing which will be expressed. A word, a headline in the news, a sound which attracts my ears. This can be the whistle of the teapot, a scream of a fan as well as brass orchestra in the countryside.”
Citing influences such as the legendary David Bowie, German producer Conny Plank (Kraftwerk, NEU!, Ultravox) and synth-composer Karl-Heinz Stockhausen’s expeditions into experimental electronic music.
Written in just six weeks, upcoming full-length album West-Berlin was reduced to only a modular synth, various controllers and a computer during it’s recording process. NHOAH proposes insight into his world, where the possibilities behind the power of inspiration and positive energy are endless.
Berlin’s resonance is echoic in “120 Red Skies”, the track reverberates juxtaposed ideas within the album, both experimental in places yet mechanical in others.
“In between; West-Berlin, The Wall, depression, hope, soldiers, guns, flowers for the lovers, flowers for the dead, artists, culture, nightlife, music, in love, studios, clubs, Dschungel, Kudamm, shops, David Bowie, Schöneberg, Winterfeldplatz, Kreuzberg, Mommsenstraße, Cafe Swing, Metropol, dark clouds, sadness, power, noise, secret parties, Motzstraße, Klaus Schulze, punks, Quartier Latin, Einstürzende Neubauten, Tritonus Studio – the sky is red, my heart is blue…” – NHOAH
