Hi Kraftwerk-fans! See: http://www2.gazeta.pl/muzyka/1388352,21409,1638577.html Translate: *** An interview with Ralf Hutter from Kraftwerk Łukasz Kaminski: Kraftwerk is a legend of modern music and it is a foundation of musical thinking as well as a benchmark for many artists. Ralf Hutter: Initially our career was not as glorious as one may think. The beginnings were really difficult. Everything started in the late 60’s. Initially Florian and I had lots of problems with musical equipment. The first synthesizers we used were as expensive as Volkswagen cars. We had to build some of the instruments ourselves. Our music has always been connected with other kinds of art such as graphics, for example. It was not easy to find people who would understand the whole concept of Kraftwerk. Łukasz Kaminski: What is the difference between today’s audience and the one 30 years ago? Ralf Hutter: Today the audience has more knowledge about music and their taste is greatly influenced by modern technology. Besides, not only do our fans listen to music but they often play and compose music, as well, which is compatible with Kraftwerk’s ideas of “elektronische volkmusic” and “industrielle music”. When we were recording our album “Computer World” about 20 years ago, computers were not as common as they are today. We had to ask universities and IBM places to let us use their equipment. Now we have everything in a small laptop. The electronic devices are within easy reach. It seems that our visions of the future look realistic. Łukasz Kaminski: Do you think technology is at its peak? Ralf Hutter: It is developing all the time and therefore it is difficult to predict what it is going to be like in fifty-year-time. We may not have to touch any buttons and it will be enough just to think. At the moment it is still an abstract idea but many inventions used to be considered even more incredible but they came to being. Łukasz Kaminski: Modern electronic music is deprived of any social dimension. And there are many artists who claim directly that music’s only function is escapism. Ralf Hutter: It is true but only when we consider young artists. Kraftwerk’s music often relates to ecology and social comments. Young people don’t get involved into politics. They feel disappointed with the authorities. They don’t understand ridiculous decisions of people who have got power. I remember that when we appeared in concert in Poland many people from NRD came to see us. The authorities in NRD banned our performance since they perceived us as a threat to the system. *** It's all Tomek