For anybody pondering where dubstep can go next without continuing to repeat itself, look no further than Berlin-based producer extraordinaire Robert Koch, currently constructing what the lazy may label 'sci-fi-step' under clever misnomer Robot Koch.

A multi-talented soul already with notable experience under experimental guise The Tape and as one third of multi-national club-slayers Jahcoozi, Koch's latest outlet has just birthed Death Star Droid, the debut album under his mechanical moniker.

"Star Wars, robots, science fiction and heavy metal were big influences in my cultural socialisation," he notes of the album's intergalactic scope. "When I made the title track I had these images of the Death Star in my head. I usually have images in my head when I make music. Eventually I'd like to produce music and visuals simultaneously.

"Working alone on my stuff is very different from working in a band with three people," he continues. "Sonically I think my solo stuff has more texture, melodies and more organic sounds in there, whereas Jahcoozi is more clubby and way more dubby."

The aforementioned space-and-androids theme continues into Koch's label, Robots Don't Sleep! (motto: "like Motown with lasers") as well as throughout 'Death Star Droid' itself, futuristic backdrops vibrating minds and speakers with equal potency.

The album's most otherworldly moment arrives, however, with a warped cover of The Doors' People Are Strange, a Portishead-via-NASA reinterpretation that features singer Graciela Maria.

"It was coincidence," admits Koch. "Grace and me were asked to play at Bar25, this legendary after-hours place in Berlin. We said yes without even having one tune to play together, so we came up with the idea of covering some classic cuts in a weird dubbed-out way. So we did People Are Strange, 'cos we both love that song, and stuff by David Bowie and Etta James.

"I'm working on new original material with Grace. She's an amazing singer. I wonder what phrase will be coined for this: post-trip-hop, folk-step or something. I just call it good music."

Talking of over-thought tags, Koch has enjoyed significant support from the post-dubstep / wonky brigade, including Flying Lotus and Rustie collaborations, plus Hudson Mohawke and Gaslamp Killer playing out last year's Vortex Cookies EP. He isn't keen to be restricted to such brackets, though.

"I'd rather not be associated with that sound only," he reasons. "I try to make music that is more timeless and not connected to some short-lived hype words. I don't want to limit myself to any genre box really, although I like Rustie and some of HudMo's stuff."

Work is already well underway for a Death Star Droid remix EP, with mooted contributors including Slugabed, Flako and Loops Haunt (check Knowledge's exclusive Robot Koch mix from more from some of those names).

And with a stack of his own remixes imminent, a three-month US / Mexican tour starting in January, a new Jahcoozi album in May (featuring M Sayyid from Anti-Pop Consortium), plus numerous other collaborative projects, 2010 is shaping up to be the year of the Robot.

 

Words: Adam Anonymous

 

Download Robot Koch's exclusive mini-mix for Knowledge...

 

Tracklisting

1. Roland Kirk - 3 For The Festival
2. Elctrons Libres - Hoog
3. fLako - Footprints
4. Robot Koch - Gorom Sen
5. Robot Koch - Gorom Sen (Shlohmo Remix)
6. I-Sa - Syco3
7. La Roux - In For The Kill (Slugabed Remix)

For more Robot Koch tracks and mixes check http://soundcloud.com/robot-koch

 

• Robot Koch

Related Links:

• Video: MC LowQui's Droid And Goldie On Tour
• Ðœishka x Death In June Capsule Collection
• New John B Dubplate: Robot Lover
• New Label Rong Robot Reveal Their Plans
• Grooverider & Grace Return To The Den

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