Sound of the Machine

Karl Bartos, founding member of the seminal German band Kraftwerk, tells his story: a life intertwined with art, music, and culture.A full-blooded insiders account of life inside the Kling Klang studio. This is a must read for the robots fans. Prog MagazineAs 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 Kraftwerks 1982 number one single The Model, Bartoss deft musical hand has undoubtedly shaped the contemporary musical landscape we know today.For the first time, in The Sound of the MachineBartos speaks candidly about his life in Kraftwerk for the first time. He vividly recalls his experiences in the Kling Klang studios during recording, describing the process and perfectly capturing the joy, passion and synergy of people composing and recording together.At once cerebral and witty, Bartoss narrative journeys through his post-war childhood in Germany, his sense of wonder on first hearing The Beatles, 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 also looks to the future, sharing his hopes and fears for todays musical culture.