Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Disso!ver
Cologne-based multi-instrumentalist Roman Biewer – aka Disso!ver –
presents his second studio album „Die völlige Abwesenheit von Punk“. His
debut album „Lagerkoller“ was released in August 2021 and followed by
various EPs.
Biewer’s music draws on a wide variety of genres such as krautrock, indie
rock, Hamburg School, dream pop, shoegaze and new wave. He
complements these with his concise, monotone voice and unconventional
lyrics. The title track of the album poses the self-critical question of whether
the repetitive grind of a mundane everyday job is still perceived as being
trapped in the capitalist system, or whether the fire to break out has long
since gone out in the secret enjoyment of habit. „Better the beach again –
instead of stress in resistance“
.
„Die völlige Abwesenheit von Punk“ was created between 2020 and 2024,
so the original sketches date back to the coronavirus lockdown period when
everyone was looking for new hobbies. Biewer’s choice was a Moog
Matriarch, a completely analogue synthesizer without any storage options.
For fear of never finding magical settings again, he recorded every nuance
of his interaction with the instrument. With sometimes insane selection and
editing efforts, the foundation of most of the new songs gradually emerged
from hours of sessions. Apart from the drum tracks, which were recorded
by Jan Philipp Janzen (Die Sterne, Urlaub in Polen, Von Spar, Dumbo Tracks)
and Niklas Schneider (Keshavara), and the main vocals for „Die Antinatale“
,
which were provided by Tobias Ortmanns (Komplizen Der Spielregeln),
Biewer played and sang all the other instruments and arranged and pre-
produced the songs.
Jo Philippi – a member of Vandermeer and Kramsky – and Luis Müller-
Wallraf, who works with O.L.A.F. and plays bass for TICS, were responsible
for the mix. The mastering was done by Stefan Flad (Redkitchen Audio
Hamburg), who also works for Die Sterne, Erobique, Die Türen and Ja, Panik.
The cover artwork was created by Max Müller, singer of the Berlin cult band
Mutter, which Sonic Youth and in fact the entire Hamburger Schule
movement already referred to.
For fans of Neu!, Mutter, Jens Friebe, Dinosaur Jr.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
As a five- or six-year-old, I was fascinated by my parents’ record player. I remember putting on all sorts of vinyl singles and albums and trying out all the speeds—the old record player could go from 16 to 78 RPM—and I was captivated by the results. My mother’s records were the likes of Suzi Quatro and Ike & Tina Turner, while my father listened more to German Schlager music.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I think I was around 15. I listened to a lot of thrash metal back then, and inspired by that, I wrote my first riffs on my guitar, joined my first band with 16.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
The original idea for Disso!ver was to arrange all my tube amps in a circle around me and feed them noise loops until I eventually found myself in a quadraphonic noise universe. At the time, I was still playing in an indie band called The Lo-Fi Fair. When we got an invitation to play at an indie festival, but had to cancel because our bassist was becoming a father that weekend, I spontaneously decided to play noise loop versions of our songs by myself. That became Disso!ver’s first gig. Since then, the sound has changed quite a bit, but it’s always been, and still is, about what I can create on my own with loops and without a band.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I’d say you can clearly hear the genre influences leading to this project: classic indie rock, krautrock, shoegaze, and new wave. The lyrics are poem-like, abstract, working with repetition.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
I’d say the “krautrock” approach: hit record, play myself into a repetitive trance for hours, and then take the riff or melody that induced the trance as the basis for a song.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Fender Jazzmaster, Moog Matriarch, Fulltone ’69 Fuzz, and many other pedals like the Ibanez AD 80, Boss CE-2 and OC-2, Pigtronix Infinity Looper, Ableton Live, and Logic Pro. Yup – I’m a bit of a gearhead.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Here’s a mix of my all-time and current favorites:
Being Dead – Blanket of my Bone
Anika – Abyss
The Flaming Lips – Waitin’ for a Superman
Motorpsycho – Three frightened monkeys
Ulrika Spacek – Beta Male
Stove – Wet Food
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Phew, that’s a tough question. I’d almost say ALL personal experiences have an influence. On the other hand, you could say that what I’m looking for musically is a feeling of freedom. That’s why I have absolutely no desire to commit to a specific style, because it would restrict me. One of the most beautiful feelings for me is completely losing myself in the creative process, forgetting the world, myself, and everything else for a short time. That wouldn’t work if there were self-imposed limits on where the journey could and couldn’t go. Curating comes later, but during the creative explosion, everything has to be allowed.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
Music (and art in general) means everything to me and I hope this passion shows in my work. On the other hand the songs and lyrics are generally open to interpretation and you can do almost anything you want with them. As long as you’re having fun. It’s about freedom!
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Music can make you feel better, no matter if you’re a listener or a creator!
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I’d love to play at Haldern Pop Festival (quite possibly the finest indie music festival in Germany) or Primavera Sound sometime. But there are also many other smaller, well-curated festivals where I’d really enjoy playing.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Laetitia Sadier from Stereolab—I think she’d be able to create some really beautiful vocal lines for my music. Kevin Shields, Thurston Moore, and/or J Mascis would also be very welcome to contribute guitar parts; I’m a huge fan of their sound and play styles.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
https://barhillrecords.de/new-dissover-album-out-today
https://www.instagram.com/dissolvercgn
https://dissolver.ffm.to/antipunk-stolzenbourg
https://dissolver.bandcamp.com
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Currently, Disso!ver is still a one-man project though I’m definitely open to collaboration with a like-minded drummer or other musicians – on stage and in the studio.
Playing live a lot, writing new songs, making progress music-wise, expanding the project’s recognition, playing festivals all over Europe!
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
Disso!ver may not be reinventing the wheel, but it has an original and unusual approach combining its musical and lyrical influences in a way you haven’t heard before.
Plus there are simply some great songs that are a lot of fun to listen to:)
