Last year’s “Death Star Droid” established Robot Koch’s reputation as one of the most gifted producers in the bass music world. Incorporating warped Dubstep, stoned Low End Theory drum machines, and a readiness to assimilate hip-hop sample culture in a subgenre occasionally overly cold and digital, Koch’s funkiness belies his mechanical moniker. With his love of King Tubby, Fela, and Wu-Tang, he was a logical choice to kick off the Passion of the Weiss Mix series. His “Listen to Them Fade EP” comes out next month on his own Robots Don’t Sleep imprint.
Questions, answers, automatons, and a mix below the jump.
If you could pick your three favorite robots (not including yourself), who would they be?
R2d2, Mech godzilla, That little red robot that sits on top of my studio monitors.
You included a Doors cover on your last album. Why do you think there’s such a disconnect between critics (who typically malign the Doors) and the love they elicit among regular people? (I happen to love The Doors)
I think The Doors are amazing. I think amazing artists tend to polarize. Some love, others hate. My doors cover is the most hated and the most loved song on my album, people get really emotional about it.
During your recent trip to Mexico, what was your most extreme experience of culture shock?
Playing shows out there can be dope as hell but it can also be a drag. You get told one thing and then another happens, one time I didn’t even get paid. And its a lot of politics and personal drama involved. I was talked into doing the whole thing myself and without my booking agency, because I was told that would scare off the promoters but that turned out to be a mistake. But its all love in the end. I played some dope shows out there and the people were crazy about the music. So in the end that counts….
How does the dubstep/bass music world in Berlin differ with your experiences in the States (specifically, Los Angeles — what did you think about playing Low End Theory).
I really dug low end and I wish there was such a thing in Berlin. There is a lot of bass music out here as well and many parties dedicated to that sound, but there is no such thing where all the artists hang out on a weekly basis, the Berlin scene is more scattered. I mean when I played Low End everybody was there, Fly Lo, Gaslamp, Nosaj, Nobody …you name it….and they just come and hang out every week and listen to music and play…thats dope, I felt the vibe in there, and Daddy Kev is a really nice guy.
What are your five favorite afro-beat records?
Just one, cuz its so stand out to me: Fela kuti – “Gentleman.”
6. What’s the best book you’ve read in the last year? (can be old or new).
Some german philosophy book by Wilhelm Schmidt. Called Glück.
7. What about best movie?
Recent, I know its mainstream but I really enjoyed Avatar.
In general, Star Wars of course. but also Leaving Las Vegas, Big Fish and Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind hit the spot.
What would you have been if you weren’t a musician?
Good question. Maybe a shrink. Or in need of one…
Have you ever tried to build a robot and if not, what would you want your robot to do?
I`m not tech geek enough to do that. I love technology when it just functions and I can use it, but I wont open up a machine and mess with it. My dream robot would look like me and know everything i know so i can send him to do stuff sometimes and just stay home and chill.
How annoying is it when people ask you questions about robots?
I don’t mind it. i love robots:)
Download:
MP3:Passion of the Weiss Mix Series – Volume 1: Robot Koch
1.king tubby – drop dub
2. bassnectar – teleport massive (robot koch remix)
3. comfort fit – fired up (robot koch remix)
4. bassnectar – bombox (dj vadim remix)
5. the xx – basics (mount kimbie remix)
6 robot koch – while feat manya (blue daisy remix)
7. kubo – kaggua ft thisla (robot koch remix)
8. robot koch feat grace – blind
