The Sound of the Machine

'‘Incredibly detailed' – The Guardian

As a core member of Kraftwerk, some of the most beautiful, era-defining music has been co-composed by Karl Bartos. From ‘Computer Love’, to ‘Autobahn’, ‘Tour de France’ to Kraftwerk’s 1982 number one single ‘The Model’, Bartos’s deft musical hand has shaped the contemporary musical landscape we know today.

In The Sound of the Machine, Bartos speaks candidly about his life in Kraftwerk for the first time. He recalls his experiences in the Kling Klang studios during recording, the process and the joy, passion and synergy of the group.

Cerebral and witty, Bartos’s narrative journeys through his post-war childhood in Germany, his early musical ventures and his parallel career as a musician and teacher. Offering a fascinating insight into both a band and a man at the forefront of musical innovation over the last thirty years, Bartos looks to the future, sharing his hopes and fears for today’s musical culture.

As a core member of Kraftwerk, some of the most beautiful, era-defining music has been co-composed by Karl Bartos. From 'Computer Love' to 'Autobahn', 'Tour de France' to Kraftwerk's 1982 number one single 'The Model', Bartos's deft musical hand has undoubtedly shaped the contemporary musical landscape we know today.

For the first time, in The Sound of the Machine, Bartos speaks candidly with wit and humour about his life in Kraftwerk. Bartos vividly recalls his experiences in the Kling Klang studios during recording, describing the process and perfectly capturing the joy and passion of three people composing and recording.

Now, with a successful solo career of 30 years, Karl Bartos recalls his postwar childhood, the amazement he felt on first hearing The Beatles, his first
bands, his parallel career as a musician and teacher, his years with Kraftwerk, and his hopes and fears for today's musical culture.