January 13, 2024

When I was a young man, I lived with a group of creative people in Atlanta in two houses on top of a hill overlooking downtown. Two of my most important music influences lived with us, and they could not have been more diametrically opposed. One was a DJ, with a rich knowledge of contemporary black music and related dance beats, the other was a punk rock cognoscente. Both of them were truly experts in their fields. My claim to fame was a great stereo with big speakers.

I remember the evening Glen turned me on to Cabaret Voltaire. He played these two 45s. The music was to me a blend of smart disco and dread-full punk, Moroder-speed beats overlayed with jazz horns, distorted keyboards and voice samples. The textures were incredible. I flipped for it. Of course no one had heard anything like it before. I remember Glen’s face. He was delighted that he had so thoroughly entertained and influenced the new kid on his journey.

The original Cabaret Voltaire was housed in a small, back-room in the back of a Swiss bar. It gave birth to Dada, and housed the experimental artists and kooks of the era that so influenced the rest of the century. The story is fascinating and yet another proof how a very small group of people can completely change a culture.

The David Lynch compilation is a punk Lynchian piece in an of itself. I know I’m asking a lot this evening. Just flow with the noise until the resolution. It’s worth the immersion.

Zozo Volt would approve. Carry on.