Kraut, Machines and Eternal Grooves

The LLC Speaker Series proudly presents … Kraut, Machines and Eternal Grooves: The Cultural Importance of German Popular Music in the 1970’s After World War Two, the cultural development in Germany was tightly connected to the political situation. The occupation of Western Germany by American and British troops as well as the historical situation made it difficult for young German artists to find their own voice, especially concerning the emerging Anglophone popular culture. On the one hand, the triumph of Rock Music since the late 1950s had a deep impact on the West German youth; still German popular music connected to Rock’n’Roll was a mere imitation of American and British role models. On the other hand, especially where Angloamerican popular culture started to ‘infiltrate’ literature (which was still considered ‘high art’) the rejection by the cultural elites was overwhelming. Between these two poles – the acceptance of (and love for) popular culture within the German youth and the urge to move away from Anglophone role models and create something radically new (which at the same time could be seen as a examination of recent history) – a new musical/cultural movement emerged. It fulfilled its cultural promise as it remained in a state of being an underground movement always on the verge of moving into the mainstream – but never really arriving there. The phenomenon that came to be known as Krautrock can be seen as a perfect example for the interplay of popular culture, ‘high’ art and politics as well as the ongoing struggle which has determined the reception of popular culture since the 1960’s: The narrow line between underground and mainstream and the perpetual movement that links the two.

Location:

Craigie Hall Block D – CHD 420

Speaker:

Sascha Seiler (University of Mainz)

More information at http://www.ucalgary.ca/events/calendar/kraut-machines-and-eternal-grooves