Soothing music from
the savage beast

T. Raumschmiere showcases the ambient
end of his otherwise explosive electro

TOYS WITH NOIZE: T. Raumschmiere

by JACK OATMON

When seeking innovative ambient music and experimental soundscapes, you might not think to turn to a German guy who’s got 17 years’ experience drumming riffy hardcore punk, plays in a band called the Crack Whore Society and is best known for his grating industrial techno project. But Berlin’s Marco Haas, aka T. Raumschmiere, has spent eight years collecting studio soundbites and composing heady synth tones on the side.

“It’s like the ‘backside of the metal,’” says Haas. “In Germany, we have this expression that there are always two sides of the story, so this is my other side.”

Such compositions are something he presents only a couple of times a year. “I released an album about two years ago called Random Noize Sessions. It’s mostly ambient music, so it’s made for the sound, not for dancing and clubbing. It’s the complete opposite, with just massive drones and sounds and noises. It’s all collected from the studio. Outtakes, you could say. When I do it in the studio, it’s mostly made out of analog equipment. This time I’m presenting it with a laptop though, because I can’t take everything to Montreal.”

Haas will also be doing a workshop presentation for those interested in expanding their own sound. “I will talk about what equipment I use and how I do it, what my sound sources are and stuff like that.”

Haas originally got into electronic production and experimental music as an alternative to dealing with the push and pull of band politics. “I was sick of playing in bands, always having those compromises and those discussions, ‘what are we going to do next, what are we going to do at all?’ I wanted to do something more beat-oriented and to experiment with sound.”

He still plays live, however, with both the Crack Whore Society and his T. Raumschmiere three-piece tour band. Haas has just released a new album last week called I Tank U, available on his own record label, Shitkatapult.

AT DAWSON COLLEGE THEATRE
(2000 ATWATER) ON SUNDAY,
OCT. 5, 9 P.M., $25