Stereo Embers The Podcast 0497: Stephen Mallinder (Cabaret Voltaire)

About this episode

The episode features an interview with Stephen Mallinder discussing the innovative music of Cabaret Voltaire and their influence on the music industry.

"But What Time Is It Really?" Because their legacy is so vast, their musical output so singular and their influence so far-reaching, telling you a little bit about Cabaret Voltaire is like telling you a little bit about outer space. A long tine ago, say 1973, in a galaxy far, far away, say Sheffield, England, Richard H. Kirk, Stephen Mallinder and Chris Watson got together to, in their words, make music without musical instruments. What did that mean? Well, it meant innovation because this was not a three-piece banging away in a garage, it was three guys experimenting with tape loops, custom-built kit oscillators, keyboards and wind instruments. Although traditional instruments were included, Cabaret Voltaire were anything but a traditional band. Falling somewhere between performance art and industrial music, Cabaret Voltaire remain one of the most innovative, idiosyncratic and unique bands of all time. Incorporating elements of techno, house, funk, synthpop, electronica and dub, the band's striking soundscapes were massively influential to bands like Depeche Mode, New Order, Skinny Puppy, David J. and Nine Inch Nails. Watson left the band in 1981 but Mallinder and Kirk soldiered…

People in this episode

Host: Alex Green Online

Guest: Stephen Mallinder

Topics covered

• Cabaret Voltaire
• music innovation
• industrial music
• performance art
• influence on other bands

Keywords

• Cabaret Voltaire
• Stephen Mallinder
• industrial music
• performance art
• music history
• influence
• Sheffield

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cabaret Voltaire

Places: Sheffield, England

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