Berlin: the musician's playground
A look at some of the international musicians who have, at one time or another, made Berlin their base.
A new home in Germany
David Bowie is arguably the highest-profile example, but he's by no means the only international artist to have de-camped to the German capital to take advantage of the city’s creative atmosphere and low cost of living. Here, we present a handful of other musicians who have, at one time or another, made Berlin their base.
Iggy Pop
Bowie's frequent collaborator, Iggy Pop, also relocated to Berlin in 1976 in an attempt to creatively refocus and kick his drug habit. Contrary to popular belief, he and Bowie did not share an apartment. Rather, Iggy had his own in the same building, Hauptstraße 155, in Schöneberg. Pop went on to record the albums "The Idiot" and "Lust for Life" here, two of his most critically acclaimed works.
Martin Gore
Co-founder of British synth-pop band Depeche Mode, Martin Gore spent two years in Berlin between 1985-1987 when he shared an apartment with his German girlfriend. He caused quite a stir with his androgynous appearance and said in an interview with "Pop Spezial Magazin" in 1985: "Sexual barriers and gender roles are old-fashioned. Me and my girlfriend often swap clothes and make-up."
Peaches
One of the so-called Canadian Crew of musicians who re-located to Berlin in the early 2000s, Peaches scored a sensation with her 2000 debut LP, "The Teaches of Peaches," and practically single-handedly kick-started the electroclash craze. She has since gone on to release a further three albums. Her second featured a track called "Kick It". Her guest vocalist? Former Berlin resident, Iggy Pop.
Jayne County
Originally known as Wayne County, Jayne is generally regarded as rock's first transsexual singer and was a fixture on the New York punk scene. She came to Berlin in the late 70s and returned to her native US in 1980. Despite never being a major commercial success, her outlandish appearance and proto-punk attitude proved highly influential to artists like Patti Smith, Lou Reed…and David Bowie.
Eddie Argos
Comparative newcomer to Berlin, Eddie Argos (l), is arguably best known as lead vocalist of British indie rock band, Art Brut. Since arriving, Argos has kept busy with recording, painting and hosting a new music show on local radio station, Flux FM. His reasons for coming here? "It was either the delicious bread, excellent beer or cheap rent. I can't remember the exact tipping point," he told DW.
Nick Cave
What Bowie is to 70s Berlin, Australian singer Nick Cave is to the 80s. Moving to former West Germany in 1982 with his band, The Birthday Party, he became well known locally for his wild performances. The near legendary Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds was formed in Germany's capital, where Cave remained until shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
Ewan Pearson
Critically-acclaimed DJ and producer Ewan Pearson is originally from the UK but, since his move here in 2003, is a firm Berlin fixture. Over the years he has remixed high profile artists like Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode and Chemical Brothers as well as releasing two studio records and three compilation albums. He can regularly be seen behind the decks at legendary Berlin techno temple, Berghain.
Planningtorock
Moving to Berlin from Bolton, UK in 2002, Janine Rostron aka Planningtorock, is one of Berlin's most enigmatic musical oddities. Her critically acclaimed debut album, "Have it All," was released on German noise label Chicks on Speed in 2006, followed in 2011 by second album, "W", released on DFA Records. She's a good example of Berlin's influence on pushing artistry to unusual new limits.
Sir Simon Rattle
British conductor Sir Simon Rattle is proof that not every musician who moves to Berlin moves within the sphere of techno. Since 1999 he has been artistic director of the Berlin Philharmonic, campaigning for fair payment for his musicians. He recently announced he would leave his post when his contract expires in 2018. Where the road will take Sir Simon next is unknown.