Neolyd Review

Über allem anderen, was noch über „Spectral“, dem Debüt Robin Schlochtermeiers, geschrieben werden könnte, steht das Gefühl, dass dieses Debüt mehr ist, als nur die bloße Summe von mystischen Soundscapes. Sie entspringt einem Konzept, und sie könnte fast mühelos der Score zu allem Möglichen sein: Ein mysteriöser Film noir, oder gar zur Untermalung eines Films von Stanley Kubrick – es ließe sich an die Anfangssequenz aus „Shining“ denken, oder gar an „2001: A Space Odyssey“.

Es ist fast müßig notgedrungen den etwas schrägen Topos einer traumwandlerischen Reise in die eigenen Untiefen der Psyche heranzuziehen, bloß ist er durchaus zutreffend. Schlochtermeier weiß zudem genau was er tut, denn er hat sich bereits seine Sporen als Komponist für verschiedene Filmmusiken verdient und dabei Preise (mit)eingeheimst, wie dem British Independent Film Award.

Wenn wir also versuchen würden, uns nicht nur einfach fallen und durch die neun Tracks während „Spectral“ führen zu lassen, sondern uns eine Live-Darbietung in annähernder Dunkelheit vor Augen führen, können wir vielleicht erahnen, wie Schlochtermeier seine Musik verstanden wissen möchte.

Seeing the world through my daughter‘s eyes reminded me of the experiences the world can produce in our minds when we are open, receptive and boundary-less

Ein Zustand völliger Unbedarftheit, der uns offen sein lässt und vielleicht eine gewisse Distanz zu dem, was wir bereits über Musik zu wissen glauben, voraussetzt. Diese Synthese aus flächigen Drones und dem, oft schwer verhallten, Piano, dazu diese fast schon schwerfälligen, oder besser entschleunigten, Klanglandschaften funktioniert natürlich ebenfalls im „Normal-Modus“. Oder vielleicht gelingt ja gerade durch „Species“ bei dem Ein oder Anderen der Zugriff auf das innere Kind. Nicht nur im Gedanken daran, sondern in der Musik selbst, liegt etwas überaus Tröstliches. Nico Beinke, 31.7.2020

Headphone Commute Review

“The debut studio album from London based Robin Schlochtermeier is yet another example of introducing a new mighty voice that stands out among a populated modern classical, ambient, and minimal scenes, even as that voice is not exactly new to music. Although Spectral is the very first solo release from this Anglo-German composer, Schlochtermeier has scored numerous award-winning documentaries, television series, and films.

And once you hear the beautiful soundscaping of his music, you’ll understand how this experience has played into this brand new work. But it does feel that Robin has retained something a lot more special to create the soundtrack for the film behind his eyelids, as the pieces on his upcoming album for Denovali unequivocally demonstrate.

This is more than cinematic music, as the slow and growing tension throughout the progression of his music, melds with melancholy, doubt and beauty, which immediately stops the listener for a pause to hear more. There are many gorgeous arrangements on this 9-track release, which features an upright piano from the 50s and only a few extra layers of textural sounds to keep the palette very limited to explore the available space, but I have picked my favourite piece, titled “Foghorn”, for an exclusive premiere on Headphone Commute, as its particular atmospheric quality captures the feelings I get from his sound.

I am excited about the upcoming release on July 31st and happy that Denovali continues to curate their ever-amazing catalogue with some of the essential voices of our generation in music. I recommend that you go for the limited edition of 150 clear 180g vinyl, especially since its price is the same as black wax 12″. And you’ll definitely want to turn up that bass! Oh, and make sure you check out Schlochtermeier’s numerous soundtracks, which you can find on your favourite streaming platform, or buy in a digital format directly from the label.”

Bio

Robin Schlochtermeier is an award-winning composer for film, television and commercials. His debut solo album, "Spectral", was released on vinyl, CD and digital by Denovali Records and has been featured on Radio BBC3 (Nighttracks). He is particularly interested in what happens when the possibilities of electronically processed organic and everyday sounds collide with classical training and orchestral/chamber texture.

He won the award for Best Music for his original score for the psychological thriller Retreat at the British Independent Film Festival. Retreat was also nominated in six other categories including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress.

Recent projects include political/disaster thriller COBRA (SKY - Season 2&3, additional music), investigative documentary LIAR - THE FAKE GROOMING SCANDAL (BBC2) and true crime 3-part series ESSEX RANGE ROVER MURDERS (SKY).

He has also recently scored the feature documentaries SOMEONE'S DAUGHTER, SOMEONE'S SON (directed by Lorna Tucker), BREAKING WAVES (directed by Alice Rosso), A LIFE IN TANDEM (produced by MY OCTOPUS TEACHER producer Ellen Windemuth) and a biographical feature for NETFLIX about Katherine Hepburn (CALL ME KATE).

Previous projects include the features RETREAT (psychological horror, winner of Best Music at British Independent Film Festival), THE SPY WHO FELL TO EARTH (Netflix) and A SPACE IN TIME (Prime Video) as well as THE VIRGIN QUEEN’S FATAL AFFAIR (Royal Television Society Award).

His music for television credits include BBC, Sky, Channel 5, National Geographic and Arte. Commercial clients include Puma, Renault, Panasonic, Ticketmaster and Oxfam.

He is a member of BAFTA Connect, a member of the Ivors Academy has acted as voting member of the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).

Robin works out of his studio in Sussex, south of London.

Television

Pole To Pole

6x45-60' Adventure Series
Nutopia for National Geographic
Additional Music

A Discovery Of Witches

6x50'
Fantasy
Sky
Programming & Additional Music

The Virgin Queen's Fatal Affair

55′
Drama/Doc
Five/Nat Geo
Royal Television Society Award (Best Specialist Factual)

The Spy Who Brought Down Mary Queen Of Scots

55′
Drama/Doc
Five/Nat Geo

Mysteries Of The Vampire Skeletons

55′
Drama/Doc
Five/Nat Geo

King James' War On Witches

55′
Drama/Doc
Five/Nat Geo

Film

Feature Film


Short Film

Let Me Be Fair

Directed by Shiwei Xi
Chinese-language black and white historical drama

His Name Was Gerry

Directed by Peter Lee Scott
Coming Of Age
Best Director, Best Short Film, Best Actress (British Independent Film Festival)

Healey's House

Directed by Rob Savage
Thriller
Shadowhouse Productions
Starring: Ben Tavassoli, Michelle Donnelly
Best UK Short (Raindance Awards)

Tommy

Directed by James Sieradzki
Makeshift Motion
Historical Drama
Starring: Sebastian Sacco, Andrew Shire
Best Film (Unbroken Film Festival), Official Selection (LA Shorts Fest)

Absence

Directed by Rob Savage
Horror
Starring: Paul McGann

Rest Stop

Directed by Kate Herron
Comedy

Don't Move

Directed by Anthony Melton
Horror
Bloody Cuts

Auld Lang Syne

Directed by Bradley Porter
Thrilller
Starring Aisling Loftus

Death Scenes

Directed by Joel Morgan
Horror
Bloody Cuts

Dead Man's Lake

Directed by Ben Franklin
Horror
Bloody Cuts

The Jumper

Dir: George Purves | Best Short Film (Devour Film Festival)