Hainbach: The ‘Monday Is OK’ Mix

8 Minute Read

Music

A sountrack inspired by the documentary, “The One Who Runs Away Is the Ghost.” – a mixtape from Hainbach that laid the foundations for his score.

Inspired by the documentary, “The One Who Runs Away Is the Ghost.” – Directed by Qinyuan Lei and produced by Julian Moser – the film explores the lives of two sisters in a Shenzhen electronics market. Read the review from Chloe Raunet here

Hainbach’s evocative soundscapes, blend analog synthesizers and toy instruments, mirroring the film’s industrial grit and playful innocence.

“It was a fascinating film to work on. Julian and his brother Felix had chosen pieces from my archives that fit the mood of the film, but as usual, temps (temporary tracks used in editing) only get you so far. When I worked on the scenes that needed more on point music, Julian was present in my studio, which made it a breeze bringing the visual and auditory together. As the film’s atmosphere oscillates between industrial and playful, I employed both toy instruments and heavy duty research function generators. That arrangement served well to enhance that contrast.”

Hainbach perfectly captures the wonder and sense of adventure the unusual setting invokes on the children. As the electronics market transforms into new worlds, Hainbach manipulates analog synthesizers into lush, vast soundscapes full of intimate melodies and grand sonic vistas.

Curated by Hainbach this mixtape offers an insight into the foundations for his score.

Listen below:

Ransom Note · Hainbach – The Monday Is OK Tape Mix

Ransom Note · Wave Arising: The ‘Monday Is OK’ Mix

Please introduce yourself…Who are you:

I am Hainbach

Where are you: Berlin

What are you: Composer, performer, software developer, YouTuber, dad.

Tell us about the Monday mixtape you’ve put together for us.

A few years back I made a series of tape mixes. I slowed down, filtered and mixed cassettes I bought or got sent by artists. I did these for a while and they were rather popular, but at some point I stopped, simply because other things took my interest. In this mix I revisit the techniques I explored then, only using very different equipment then back in the day. More like lab work than the previous desktop style of music making.

If it were to be drawn what would it look like?

Sfumato portraits, wide landscapes, ships and cliffs drowned in mist, heavy oil colors, chalk and charcoal sketches.

If it were a food what would it be?

A slow cooked gumbo.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

As you fall asleep, or if you are on a walk, or when you want to take time for yourself.

What should we be wearing?

Whatever makes you feel at home in your body.

Where was it recorded?

In my studio, behind two tape machines, two tape echos and ancient filter banks.

How do you feel about Mondays in general, excited…or?

Mondays are days I get to work early in the morning, and nobody is writing to me yet. Perfect.

Who got you hooked on electronic music?

John Peel on the radio and Amiga 500 game soundtracks.

Who would you say are your biggest influences and what are you hoping to achieve with your music?

I learned classical, so my spatial reference are symphonies, like Mahler, Berlioz. My melodies are shaped by Schubert and Aphex Twin. The textures are the instruments themselves – they speak to me as much as the music I heard.
Stylistically I have found a sound that is very me, so I am now looking to explore it more with other musicians, especially in a concert context.

What were your original aspirations as musicians and how do you think you’re shaping up?

I just wanted to make music to make more music. Work less jobs, make more music. Every minute I can make music I am happy. That worked out and now I have become a musician’s musician, which makes me very happy.

Some self help questions for a Monday:
Am I excited to dive into the challenges that i have lined up for the week?

Yes of course! I create my own challenges, I need them to grow as an artist.

Am I looking forward to engaging with the people i am meeting or working with?

Absolutely, I only work with people I like.

Am I going to my dream job?

Yes.

Am I being compensated fairly for the value i bring to my job?

There are projects that you do because you like the work and the people, and then those that also pay well. I have found a good enough mix.

Do I feel energised, rested, and confident?

Confident yes, energized and rested not so much as I just did a bout of touring and promotion for the album and another film I scored. I will take a day off tomorrow.

If you were trapped on a desert island with one other person, who would you choose? How long would it be before you eat them?

My wife. And she would eat me and I am fine with that.

Your doctor says you need more exercise….what do you take up for exercise?

Since I already run, I would start stretching way more.

If you could travel in time…where in time would you go? Why?

The time travel ideas always fall apart when I think them through, which I did a lot growing up. I love history, and it would be interesting to visit almost every period of earth’s history, just in an invisible bubble hovering outside of detection.

What was the first electronic record you heard and how did it make you feel?

Kraftwerk – Wir sind die Roboter. I loved it, it sounded funny and we could all pretend to be robots. Perfect when you are a young boy who loves sci-fi.

How does your brain work when making music? How does it work when you aren’t?

I am very focused when making music, very clear, at my most beautiful. When not making music it is waiting to make more music and gets grumpy when that takes too long. Art is an addiction.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First: Dr Who – Soundtrack