There are few producers who have endeared themselves to global techno audiences, as has Thomas Schumacher. His biography reads like the CEO of techno; a lengthy career spanning nearly two decades, several dance music awards and multitudes of worldwide tours. In his various monikers (including Southampton ltd, Vincent Vega, and Elektrochemie LK) Schumacher has retained his appeal through continuously evolving his production style, and it is this desire for re-invention has consistently kept him one step ahead of his contemporaries.
One of these guises – Elektrochemie LK – was initially created in 1995. Schumacher was riding high on the wave of popularity enjoyed by techno producers at the time. Simultaneously, he was searching for a project that would afford him a creative freedom outside of pure techno, to which his own name had become indelibly attached. Earlier Elektrochemie work including the infamous “Schall”, while produced with classic toughness, was vastly different from the loop tools being churned out by other tech artists. Schumacher boldly stated, “As far as techno is concerned, I don’t belong to the purists at all.”
The first Elektrochemie LK album Gold came as a surprise to many fans, as well as the uninitiated. Here was a techno artist who was not afraid to experiment with house, electro grooves and atmospheric beats. But it was the second – and latest album – that really made the dance industry stand to attention. Come Right On Time is the aptly named second project for Elektrochemie, and it appeared at a time when many techno enthusiasts were searching for something more than clinical monotone loops. The album pleasantly surprised Schumacher’s existing fans, and welcomed him to legions of new admirers.
Many would have noticed the stylistic development between the Elektrochemie albums. According to Schumacher, it is due largely to the influence of partner Caitlin Develin, who features as one of the guest lyricists and vocalists. “The sound of the second album is like funky acid house electro, it is different to the first”, describes Schumacher. “The difference – maybe the vocals. Clearly that is the influence of Caitlin. Tempo-wise, it’s house. It’s not like we’re Moloko, I just love music with soul and heart, and that’s what we have tried to make.”
Partner Caitlin Develin hails from Byron Bay, where she explored her love of music through various band projects and song writing. After a chance meeting with Thomas in Australia, the two discovered a personal and musical compatibility, which led to Caitlin relocating to Germany and contributing to the latest Elektrochemie album. “I was ready for a collaboration,” says Schumacher. “I love working solo, but it is also fantastic to work with others. It’s a very different process. When I met Caitlin, 99 per cent of the album was instrumental. It was ready for Caitlin’s vocal input. It is exciting, this style of the new album. It is one of the fields of dance music that I haven’t fully explored yet.”
Exploring new territory has always been a priority for Thomas Schumacher, and it’s perhaps the key to his success. Of course, there’s the occasional purist techno fan. “You know, maybe once or twice, there’s been a kid that will come up to me at an Elektrochemie gig and say ‘Thomas! What’s happened to the techno you used to do?’ And I say ‘It’s ok! Just listen and learn to enjoy new things. You too will change and grow.’”
Certainly Schumacher is not concerned with labelling his own work in any particular genre, “My style – well, it is Thomas Schumacher style! And I think I’ve got music that can always be successful, because I’m not concerned with particular categories. I go to music stores and I listen to all the fantastic records being produced by all these people, techno and otherwise, and I think, ‘things will be OK!’ “
Whilst continuing his other projects – including production under his own name, the hugely successful SpielZeug label, and Perlen mix CD projects (fourth instalment out now); Thomas Schumacher is channelling his enthusiasm into Elektrochemie LK. Future production is planned, but in the meantime, touring takes precedence. Schumacher is greatly anticipating the latest of his numerous appearances in Australia. “Last time we toured we gave them a taste. This time – It’s a different vibe altogether, and we’re extremely excited! The party we’re playing at (Two Tribes), the line-up is fantastic. We’ve played similar big festivals in Europe.” Finally Thomas Schumacher muses, “The Elektrochemie show has developed, Caitlin and I are more confident. Together, we have found our sound.”
You can catch Thomas Schumacher and his Elektrochemie LK project at the remaining Two Tribes dates:
Sat Mar 12th – Adelaide, Two Tribes
Sun Mar 13th – Melbourne, Two Tribes (BUY TICKETS)
