Arts·Commotion

This new book charts the surprising history of Krautrock

Music journalist Christoph Dallach discusses the genre's origin as a medium through which musicians could distance themselves from Germany's legacy of fascism.

Music journalist Christoph Dallach discusses the new English edition of his book Neu Klang

BONN, GERMANY - AUGUST 28: (L-R) Ralf Hütter, Henning Schmitz, Fritz Hilpert and Falk Grieffenhagen of the German electronic music band Kraftwerk perform live onstage during a concert on August 28, 2022 in Bonn, Germany.
Ralf Hütter, Henning Schmitz, Fritz Hilpert and Falk Grieffenhagen of the German electronic music band Kraftwerk perform live onstage during a concert on August 28, 2022 in Bonn, Germany. (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

As long as music has existed, it has been used to communicate emotions that transcend words, whether they're feelings of love, regret — or dissent. But few genres of music have been more distinctly political than Krautrock, a term used to describe bands that sprung up in 1970s Germany.

The subgenre's futurist sounds have influenced artists ranging from David Bowie, to Radiohead and Kanye West.

Today on Commotion, music journalist Christoph Dallach discusses his book Neu Klang, which covers the genre's origin as a medium through which musicians could distance themselves from Germany's legacy of fascism, and how it allowed artists to create a new identity for the country.

WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube (this segment begins at 14:54): 

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.


Interview with Christoph Dallach produced by Stuart Berman.