#mekoor

a new promo set from our artist Mekoor.

www.mekoor.com

www.facebook.com/mekoor

    'Mekoor' is the Tibetan word for 'train' which coincidentally describes 26-year-old Peter Flödl from Vienna and his music the very best! Tracks drag through wood and fields, conquer mountains and clear the way for the train everybody would like to catch. Clear, calm sounds – also known as 'minimal techno' – provoke and resist every adversity. Far too complex to be minimal. That's Mekoor – a guiding light.

  You're real name is Peter but you call yourself and your music 'Mekoor'. What does it mean and why did you decide to use this name as a representative?

I spent many times on a train while travelling between Vienna and Mainz, however that's the place where I recorded my first song. These days were very unique and I often think about it even now when I write songs. It took me a long time to find a suitable name for my music but one day I remembered an article I read once and it was about Tibet's first train connection in 2006. It's incredible. The constructional drawings have already existed for over forty years before technical progress was good enough to construct tracks and the engineering which persevere ice, uneven roads, 5000 metre difference in altitude and rarefied air. In 2006, the impossible became real and a thing barely invented was in need of a name. The government labelled the train 'Mekoor'. It's more than a coincidence that it matches my music perfectly!

  After some minutes of friendly conversation one does really see what hides behind Peter's words. He's a full-blooded musician. Not his headphones around his neck or his laptop in his bag prove that but his way of speaking about music shows that he's completely certain about what he does. No excuse, no other options or hopeless dreams. Peter is serious, he has a purpose and after releasing his first album, the soundtrack for the iOS-Game 'Neurokult', he reaches the next station earlier than expected.

  You released your first Album 'Neurokult' in October. Congratulations! How did it feel to see your finished work in front of you? And how was it possible to get in contact with the iOS company?

I'm entirely happy! Last year I released my first song called 'Sunbeam' but to be able to record 'Neurokult' I reached the next level. I'm very proud.

Honestly, I don't know how I attracted their attention. One day I got an email where the guys of Woodland Barbarian wrote that they liked my music and that they considered hiring me for writing the soundtrack. I couldn't believe it. Once more I got on a train and went to Hamburg to get in touch with them.

'Neurokult' is an experiment to create something new. Music used to be a minor part in a game. It helps to convey different kinds of vibes and atmosphere and that's it. Now, Woodland tried to put music forward. When you play 'Neurokult' (for iPhone, iPad and iTouch iOS 5 now available on App store) you listen to the whole album. Every accomplished level starts a new period of the soundtrack.

I gained a lot of new experience. I used to play in a band and we wrote songs together, worked hard until everyone was satisfied with the result. At present I work all by myself and I have to consider every single move on my own. Luckily I had no limits concerning music or process. That made it a lot easier for me. 

The first time I heard that I've done a fair job was in Taiwan (he shrugs and shook his head laughing). Some TV-shows reported about the game and eventually mentioned that they liked the soundtrack as well. On the music platform 'ReverbNation' my first song 'Sunbeam' reached top 8! I have no clue how it happened but I'm truly grateful.

  If there were no movies or games there'd be no soundtrack and vice versa. Music helps to spark emotions and to embody a picture's meaning. How important is a soundtrack for you? Is there one you really like or that inspires you?

I love the music of '28 Days later'. In the opening scene where the main character (edit: Jim played by Cillian Murphy) walks through destroyed London you really get the impression of what he thinks and feels. You don't have to watch the movie just by hearing the film score the pictures pop up into your mind by themselves. Amazing!

'Oh Brother where art thou' has a good soundtrack too – I love the main theme! Soundtracks definitely are important for me. A boring documentation becomes interesting if there's good music in the background. It's all about vibes!

Even sports videos are popular now because of this new 'Dubstep-Wave'. Who wants to watch sports with a classical soundtrack?

  This leads to my next question. I'd like to quote one statement you use as a headline for your website: 'In the beginning of impossible possibilities rest words and the solution as a buzzing tune.' - When did music become a essential part of your life? In other words: When has the buzzing started?

(Peter grins wickedly but determined) Music is a part of me since my childhood. When I was a little kid at the age of six I started learning to play the guitar and had my first gig two years later. My parents play the piano and I also play in a band with my brother so it runs in the family. My father used to perform for 30 years at weddings and different kind of parties – it was him who gave me an understanding of synthesiser and keyborads.

I don't really know where this statement actually came from. However, I can tell you one thing for sure: It's the explanation for music as something you should not write or discuss about but just take some time and listen to it! That's the message behind these lines and behind my music as well.

   You lived in Berlin for six months. There you had the chance to perform in some established clubs.  What were your first impressions? How easily/difficultly did you catch up with people and your environment?

Berlin definitely comply with every cliché you might have heard once. There're a lot of things to see and to experience, riotous long parties where you meet new people everyday. I think, it's way better to move to Berlin for a period of time rather than just come by for a short trip or holidays. As much time it needs to get to know people the same counts for the city. If you've finally arrived you soon make friends very easily. The most important thing is to be open-minded and talkative. Get on the train!

Market is pretty tough but if you stay determined and in motion you get forward. Sadly, there's no money. Most of the people are self-employed. Musicians and journalists are badly paid because you can always find someone who'll do it for free. But Berlin has got excellent social and media networks which help a lot to work without pressure and to connect with other artists. I've got many new friends there.

  You released your first album. What next? Any plans for next year? A music video? Gigs in Berlin, Vienna or somewhere else? Or do you may consider to work with other musicians?

My CD is finally produced but there's still one medium missing. I'd like to record my music on tapes (bright laughter)! Yeah, this year, it's the 50th anniversary of cassettes. The first one ever being published was produced by Philips and nowadays, there's only one company that rerecord music on tapes professionally. But that's far too expensive for me so I do it on my own! In addition I plan to prepare my music for the digital market.

Of course, I intend to organise some concerts. Because I've got no label yet it belongs to me to arrange everything. I'm going to play some gigs at Café Europe and Fluc (Vienna), in Berlin and Zurich maybe.

I'm absolutely content, things turned out really well. Of course I think about rerecording my album with a band and put it on YouTube just to see what happens. Though I don't want to talk about it that much yet I can assure that I'm working on new songs for 2014. A lot of things have to be done or are unclear but the songwriting never stops!

   One more question: Is there any book or movie you'd have loved to write the soundtrack for?

(Peter leans backwards and starts thinking carefully) I remember one book I would have been excited about writing a soundtrack: 'The Society of the Others' by William Nicholson. A fantastic story! It's about one guy who can't stand his simple life any longer and decides to leave everything behind. He heads towards East Europe, gets in contact with different kind of movements and terrorist groups and in the end he becomes one of them. The plot is really thrilling and its statement something I'd love to capture.

'Am kürzeren Ende der Sonnenallee' (Engl. 'At the Shorter End of Sonnenallee') by Thomas Brussig is another book. It tells the story about life in Berlin in the seventies and eighties when the city was parted into East and West. This so-called street 'Sonnenallee' is close to the Berlin Wall and people are confronted with gunfight and death day-to-day. There's also a movie but I prefer the book. Very affecting and emotional!

  Very well! Thank you for taking time and good luck for the future!

Music is his ticket. Mekoor has departed at an accelerated tempo which carries him to further stations. I'm convinced that there'll be more of 'Mekoor' soon enough. I'm excited!

Did you like the interview and become curious? Down below you'll find some links that leads to Mekoor's Website, YouTube channel and Facebook. Have fun!

- SW

  Mekoor - Links:

Album - “Neurokult” out now!

Digital & CD release: 17.10.2013 

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