If you live outside of New York or Los Angeles there is a good chance that you may not have had a high amount of exposure to the Booka Shade sound. They first came to our shores from their native Berlin in 2005 only to be told that they stood little chance due to the lack of electronic music in the American diet. Since that time they have most definitely done their part to help change that.
Booka Shade is comprised of Walter Merziger and Arno Kammermeier who have spent the last 25 years together producing an undeniable sound that can only be described as Booka Shade. Many times has their music been labeled and many times have those labels failed. Sometimes considered down tempo, minimal or electro one thing is for sure and that is the minute you try to quantify their sound that’s when it will change on you. “We try and push the boundaries and give the people something back” explains Walter, “We are very proud of our music.”
Despite pride in their life’s work the most evident trait one can glean from these two is their most humble views on the music, touring and their fans. “The economy is going down and it is a privileged to be able to play and sell out shows,” points out Walter and he is right. Times haven’t been easy but people will always look to the music to help get them through and this was self evident by the full house that packed into the Williamsburg Music Hall the next night for their show.
Leave A Comment!