Zaun Records label owner ZK Bucket returns with a three tracker, ‘Washing And Singing’, on his label. The Berlin based artist, whose previous releases were well received club oriented weapons, manages to walk the thin line between ambitious House music and demanding Techno again. The EP’s title track ‘Washing And Singing’ is a profound melodic still dance floor compatible track whose idea is based on ‘the picture of women washing clothing in the river and making music with the water while singing on top’ as ZK Bucket says. Ahead of the release Torture the Artist spoke to ZK Bucket not only about the release but his favorite Netflix series, what tracks he sings in the morning and of course the ice-bucket challenge.
The fence is not very closed. If you are small enough, you can pass through the holes, and there are lots of holes!
Torture the Artist: Everybody knows the purpose of a bucket, something people put ice into and drain over their heads, but the real challenge is it to combine both ZK and bucket. What’s the story behind your moniker?
ZK Bucket: I simply liked the sound of it when it came to mind. It used to be ‘ZK Bucket and the Schäbige’, ‘the Schäbige’ is the German word for shabby. Back then I would feature friends and they were ‘the schäbige’ maybe. Now I’m solo.
Torture the Artist: What has been the most exotic food dish, you ate in Berlin? What’s the most exotic dish you’ve eaten in Berlin?
ZK Bucket: Döner kebab. Twice a year I really like it, but every so often you stumble upon a very exotic one, most likely late at night. When this happens it’s no good!
Torture the Artist: Name a track that accompanies you through the German capital.
ZK Bucket: Rhythm and Sound’s ‘Mango Drive’. I don’t listen to Dubtechno at all but I love Rhythm and Sound and that one from them stands out. I can listen to it on repeat. It just puts you in a mood.
Torture the Artist: Your are the founder of Berlin based label ‘Zaun Records’. Since ‘Zaun’ is the German word for ‘fence’, whom or what would you like to keep on the opposite side of the fence?
ZK Bucket: The fence is not very closed. If you are small enough, you can pass through the holes, and there are lots of holes!
Torture the Artist: ‘The Drifter’ remixed your track ‘Your Body’. What other artists would you like to remix a track of yours?
ZK Bucket: Concierge, perhaps.
You do the music and the music does you.
Torture the Artist: ‘Washing and Singing’ is one of the tracks from your upcoming EP ‘Washing and Dubbing’. Are you revealing an intimate bathroom moment with the EP or how did the track name pour itself out?
ZK Bucket: No, it’s more like the picture of women washing clothing in the river and making music with the water while singing on top, you know? This is the integration of music in your life. You do the music and the music does you.
Torture the Artist: What’s a track you sing to while ‘washing’ yourself?
ZK Bucket: Every morning is something different. Right now: Nordsee from Dorau or Sportsmen from Hosono.
I want to communicate to people, not only with myself.
Torture the Artist: Is it important for you that your music – excluding the humming – gets heard?
ZK Bucket: Yes, I want to share it and love to get reactions from listeners. I want to communicate to people, not only with myself, I guess. That circle is a little too small for me.
Torture the Artist: How do you think others describe your music?
ZK Bucket: Left Field House and Techno, sometimes dare-to-be-different?
Torture the Artist: What artists has been an inspiring source for you?
ZK Bucket: In the beginning the Mover and later friends like Concierge and Jean-Luise. We used to play in a band called ‘United As Crew’. Artpunkfunk to chase the German angst.
Torture the Artist: Name a track from your teenage years and an memory you connect with it.
ZK Bucket: ‘The Mover – Body Snatchers’ for instance. I am still speechless when it comes to his two EPs frontal sickness. I bought it back in 1993 and it has blown my mind ever since. This powerful dystopian futuristic music and the artwork! Also Marc is the king of hoovers!
Torture the Artist: What TV, Netflix, or Amazon series would you like to do the soundtrack for, and why?
ZK Bucket: ‘Fishing’ with John, because I would love to hang out on a nice spot with that gentleman (John Lurie).
Torture the Artist 