Modular synth duo Driftmachine started as a workshop where Andreas Gerth and Florian Zimmer, producers of an extensive back-catalogue of records and projects, focused on synth exploration and search for a new approach for groove and bass-driven music. The project steadily evolved and the duo ended up releasing several albums on the acclaimed Mexico-based experimental imprint Umor Rex, and labels like Hallow Ground & Ongehoord. The duo also produced sound montages for several exhibitions of fine arts, e.g. for Riga International Biennial RIBOCA and for the artist Moritz Götze. Florian Zimmer from Drift Machine gives us his answers to our 11+3 interview:
FACTS:
1: CV.
2: Trigger.
3: Gate.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
Listening.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
Punk Rock made me do it. Started with playing drums when I was 14.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
There are plenty of 5 favourite albums, but right now it`s like that and probably different again tomorrow:
Mica Levi: Monos
Wipers – ‘Youth Of America’
Tenniscoats – ‘Music Exists 1’
Rhythm & Sound – ‘Mango Drive’
Can – ‘Future Days’
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
Family, friends, Rrose Sélavy.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
Warschauer Brücke.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Hiking.
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
Carl Oesterhelt: Eleven Pieces for Synthesiser.
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
We just collaborated with Andreas Ammer and if possible we’ll continue doing so.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
Performer: Mutek Mexico 2016
Sepectator: Wipers at Grabenhalle St. Gallen (CH)
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
As our instrument is the modular system technology has quite an importance. Maybe sometimes a bit too much as it took us a lot of time battling with technical questions until were able to perform live. At the studio a piece of gear can sometimes open up a whole new world of ideas/possibilities, but also leave you burned with hours of wasted lifetime.
11. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
They’re called Saroos and Ellicist and we get along quite well besides some lack of time.
Photo © Mika Shkurat
