Recovered Musical Gems of the GDR: Unmasking the Forgotten Vinyl Heroes' Journey to Resurrect Eastern Bloc's Hidden Music
In a celebration of cultural promotion, Tapetopia, a project dedicated to the unearthing and preservation of East German music from the era of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), has been announced as the winner of the Hans-and-Lea-Grundig-Preis in the category "Non-Museum Cultural Promotion."
The announcement comes as Tapetopia continues to make waves in the music world, with its latest endeavour being the release of recordings from DDR times as vinyl and cassette, complete with original graphics. This dedication to the forbidden underground music of the past is a testament to the project's commitment to preserving a significant part of East German cultural history.
The project's founder, Henryk Gericke, is no stranger to the East German music scene. As a DJ and poet, he has written poetic texts for each project in Tapetopia, providing biographical backgrounds and placing the music in its historical context. Gericke's passion for Ostrock, the rock music from East Germany, is evident in his work, which often challenges the status quo and sheds light on the censorship and political struggles faced by Ostrock artists during the GDR.
One such example is the album "Klaus Störtebeker" by Transit, a significant Ostrock album that might symbolize rebellion or independence. Unfortunately, specific information about the album is scarce, but it likely contains themes or elements that resonated with the broader cultural or political context of East Germany during that era.
In addition to his work with Tapetopia, Gericke is currently writing his debut novel, inspired by the former dropout scene in Prenzlauer Berg. His post-punk enthusiasm is also evident in his musical preferences, with him appreciating the sounds of Bayon and Panta Rhei, and objecting when a young punk dissed the Puhdys, a popular East German band.
Meanwhile, Jens-Uwe Berndt, another key figure in the Tapetopia project, has a deep-rooted connection to East German music. He discovered the Amiga record "Hallo 3" as a child at his aunt's house and has since dedicated himself to preserving and sharing this music with a wider audience. Berndt's label, Rokkfilm, digs up live recordings and studio recordings of DDR bands like Prinzip and Chicoree from archives and releases them as newly mastered, elaborately designed vinyl records.
Berndt's excitement about the amount of good material still in the archives from DDR times is shared by many in the Ostrock community. The search for hidden gems and the preservation of East German music's rich history continues, with projects like Tapetopia playing a crucial role in ensuring that this important part of Germany's cultural heritage is not forgotten.
- Henryk Gericke's debut novel, inspired by the former dropout scene in Prenzlauer Berg, showcases his love for the 'books' genre, just as his passion for Ostrock music reveals his interest in 'music', both of which are significant aspects of 'entertainment'.
- Jens-Uwe Berndt's dedication to uncovering and preserving East German music extends beyond his work with Tapetopia, as he also runs 'Rokkfilm', a label that focuses on the 'technology' of vinyl records, aiming to bring the sounds of DDR bands like Prinzip and Chicoree to a modern 'fashion-and-beauty' audience.
- The lifestyle of the East German era during the GDR is not only being preserved through the music, but also through the fascinating graphics on the vinyl and cassette releases by Tapetopia, offering a glimpse into the 'fashion-and-beauty' trends of that period.
