You are often described as the main persona within the whole laptop music scene. In what condition is the genre now from your perspective? Could you name several other musicians, who – according to you – make the most interesting laptop music nowadays?

I don´t consider myself as a laptop musician. I´m a guitarist, musician, composer, producer, using the newest technology. The studio is my instrument and a laptop is a studio.On my new record Venice there is a track on which you can hear 2 electric guitars played through 2 Fender amps, recorded with Neumann microphones. So please tell me...is this laptop music?

When Headz/Touch released your Live In Japan cd last year, it was described as the best laptop show ever recorded. Why did you choose to release the recording of that specific concert? Did you have many recordings to choose from?

It was just a good night in a great club. the sound system was perfect, the audience was great, good vibes. So Headz (the Japanese promoters and record label) were really into doing a release together with touch. It was their idea.

We know laptop gigs are mostly improvised manipulations with sounds but could you briefly explain what you actually do during your performance?

I´m mixing samples and recordings, or parts of recorded tracks of mine in realtime. I always have to start from scratch. nothing is saved, or in playback mode. It´s all played live.

Originally you are a guitar player and you use a lot of guitar sounds in your tracks – do you also sometimes perform with guitar? Are you going to bring your guitar to Prague and use it during the show?

Yes, I started to do this again in Italy and Berlin lately. I will play guitar in Prague.

Your new album Venice is about to come out very soon and many people probably expect it to be another Endless Summer. Are they going to be surprised much?

It is definitely not another Endless Summer. Endless Summer was a different story, a different period of my life. Venice is probably more dark, but i think it is equally emotional.

In what ways does Venice differ from your previous work?

The first thing coming to my mind is the fact that I did the mix and final adjustments in a real recording studio and not at home on the laptop. I was mixing it onto the laptop, but in a good studio surrounding, using many things from there.

You have been travelling a lot for the past two years or so – where did you compose the tracks featured on the upcoming album?

In Vienna, Paris (where I also live), Venice (where I was renting a place last summer), and of course on the road, in hotels, etc.

While travelling around, do you have any time to get to know at least a little bit all the different countries and cultures? Are you interested?

Oh yes, very much. I am very thankful to have the opportunity to do this.

Apart from your proper releases you work on many side projects (film music, collaborations…). Can you tell us a bit more about some of your most recent and also upcoming side projects?

There will be a duo cd with Keith Rowe on Erstwhile records soon. I will go on working with David Sylvian, which is a wonderful and exciting collaboration for me. I might open this years Sonar festival, playing together with the Barcelona symphony orchestra. I might work on the next Sparklehorse record.

What are your plans for this year?

Touring with the new album...

Now, after you´ve performed in so many faraway countries, you are at last going to perform in neighbouring Czech Republic. When I say ‚tschechisch‘, what are your immediate associations?

have many nice memories. I have been to Prague only twice, but to Brno quite often. Did you ever hear about a bar/club called "Nachtasyl" here in Vienna? It is a Czech club. The owner is a very good friend of mine and I was actually their first guest when they opened 15(?) years ago... I´m really looking forward to coming to Prague again.

_muteme_