''Incredibly detailed' - The GuardianAs a core member of Kraftwerk, some of the most beautiful, era-defining music has been co-composed by Karl Bartos. From 'Computer Love', to 'Autobahn', 'Tour de France' to Kraftwerk's 1982 number one single 'The Model', Bartos's deft musical hand has shaped the contemporary musical landscape we know today. In The Sound of the Machine, Bartos speaks candidly about his life in Kraftwerk for the first time. He recalls his experiences in the Kling Klang studios during recording, the process and the joy, passion and synergy of the group. Cerebral and witty, Bartos's narrative journeys through his post-war childhood in Germany, his early musical ventures and his parallel career as a musician and teacher. Offering a fascinating insight into both a band and a man at the forefront of musical innovation over the last thirty years, Bartos looks to the future, sharing his hopes and fears for today's musical culture. As a core member of Kraftwerk, some of the most beautiful, era-defining music has been co-composed by Karl Bartos. From 'Computer Love' to 'Autobahn', 'Tour de France' to Kraftwerk's 1982 number one single 'The Model', Bartos's deft musical hand has undoubtedly shaped the contemporary musical landscape we know today. For the first time, in The Sound of the Machine, Bartos speaks candidly with wit and humour about his life in Kraftwerk. Bartos vividly recalls his experiences in the Kling Klang studios during recording, describing the process and perfectly capturing the joy and passion of three people composing and recording. Now, with a successful solo career of 30 years, Karl Bartos recalls his postwar childhood, the amazement he felt on first hearing The Beatles, his first bands, his parallel career as a musician and teacher, his years with Kraftwerk, and his hopes and fears for today's musical culture.
Born in the German village of Berchtesgaden in 1952, sound, music and culture have been a lifelong fascination for Karl. He studied at the Robert Schumann Conservatory in Dusseldorf, played at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein and was in several experimental bands before he joined Kraftwerk for their American Autobahn tour in 1975. He co-composed tracks and performed with the band until 1990 and is featured on the seminal albums Radio-Activity, Trans-Europe Express, The Man-Machine and Computer World. Later Karl worked on Electric Cafe (now known as Technopop) and The Mix. After leaving Kraftwerk, he first formed the band Elektric Music, releasing two albums, collaborated with Bernard Sumner (New Order), Johnny Marr (The Smiths) and Andy McCluskey (OMD), and released two critically acclaimed solo albums,Communication and Off the Record. In 2021, Karl Bartos was awarded the Early Influence Award/Kraftwerk as a member of the 'classic line-up' and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
"Full and frank disclosure of life in the world's most influential electronic band... Karl Bartos' enjoyable tome." Record Collector, 4* "A full-blooded insider's account of life inside the Kling Klang studio. This is a must read for the robots' fans." Prog Magazine "An enjoyable memoir that tracks the course of a dual identity" Irish Times "Funny, cultured, detailed" Classic Rock
