PUNKTUM Review

I am very grateful for a great lyrical review of my album Spectral and the new video “Amethyst” by French Magazine PUNKTUM.

“Spectral is full of a wealth of detail [..], demonstrating the creator’s extreme focus on this new challenge. “Amethyst” opens the way to a cloudy and minimalist universe that we can now savor, wrapping its ambient bases with unpredictable decorations, almost manic finishes and finely chiseled precious stones.

The unique art of movement and stagnation combined, the stillness of body and mind as their surroundings rush, bustle around them. With uninterrupted progress, “Amethyst” travels according to the sources necessary for its enjoyment, leading the listener in this quest for infallible perfection. Robin Schlochtermeier’s buried treasures are calling you […]”

The French original:

“Compositeur anglo-allemand de musiques de films et de documentaires, Robin Schlochtermeier se lance dans l’aventure d’un premier album solo en n’hésitant pas à volontairement égratigner les obligations illustratives de ses travaux précédents.
Spectral regorge d’une multitude de détails que d’autres formats n’auraient jamais pu accueillir, ce qui démontre la focalisation extrême du créateur face à ce nouveau défi. « Amethyst » ouvre la voie à l’univers nuageux et minimaliste que nous pouvons dès à présent savourer, nimbant ses bases ambient de décorums imprévisibles, de finitions quasiment maniaques et de pierres précieuses finement ciselées.

L’art unique du mouvement et de la stagnation confondus, de l’immobilisme du corps et de l’esprit tandis que leur environnement se précipite, s’agite autour d’eux. fort d’une avancée ininterrompue, « Amethyst » voyage au gré des sources nécessaires à son plaisir, entraînant l’auditeur dans cette quête d’une infaillible perfection. Les trésors enfouis de Robin Schlochtermeier vous appellent depuis ses pages FACEBOOK et INSTAGRAM.”

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", is out now on Denovali Records.

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.

He has also composed the music for award-winning broadcast documentaries, for the features Call Me Kate (Netflix/Sky), Someone's Daughter, Someone's Son, A Space in Time (Salon Pictures & Bohemia Media), The Spy Who Fell to Earth (Netflix), Queens of Syria (Black Pearl Award, Abu Dhabi Film Festival), Oh No, Not Rudy Again! (EFM Cannes), and for Strings (British Independent Film Award).

His music for television credits include BBC, Sky, Channel 5, National Geographic and Arte. He has worked with composer Rob Lane on A Discovery of Witches (Sky, Season 2 - additional music & programming) as well as COBRA (Sky, Season 2 and 3 - co-composer). Commercial clients include Puma, Renault, Panasonic, Ticketmaster and Oxfam.

He is a former member of BAFTA Crew, a member of the Ivors Academy and a voting member of the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).

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

Television

The Essex Murders

3-part true crime documentary

Sky | UK | 2023

COBRA (Season 2&3)

Co-composer (S2E4)

Additional Music (S2E3, S3E3)

New Pictures | UK | 2021/23

A Discovery of Witches (Season 2)

Additional Music & Production & Programming

Bad Wolf | UK | 2019-2020


Silent Witness (S24)

Additional Music (Episodes 9&10)

The Virgin Queen’s Fatal Affair

Dir: Tom Cholmondeley | Quickfire Media | Channel Five/Nat Geo (UK) | 55′ | Royal Television Society Award (Best Specialist Factual)

Mysteries of the Vampire Skeletons

Dir: Mark Fielder | Quickfire Media | Channel Five/Nat Geo (UK) | 55′

The King’s War on Witches

Dir: Mark Fielder | Quickfire Media | Channel Five/Nat Geo (UK) | 55′

The Spy Who Brought Down Mary Queen of Scots

Dir: Mark Fielder | Quickfire Media | Channel Five/Nat Geo (UK) | 55′

Film

Feature Film

Call Me Kate

Dir: Lorna Tucker
85′ | Salon Pictures | Netflix & Sky

Someone’s Daughter, Someone’s Son

Dir: Lorna Tucker
85′ | Dartmouth Films

A Space in Time

Dir: Nick Taussig & Riccardo Servini
85′ | Salon Pictures

Sava

Dir: Matthew Sommerville
90′ | Sava Films

The Spy Who Fell to Earth

Dir: Thomas Meadmore
90′ | Salon Pictures
Release 2019 (Netflix)

Retreat

Dir: Tom Nicoll
85′ | Nicoll Film Productions
Starring: Kim Allan, Liam Harkins
Official Selection (Shetland Film Festival)

Oh No, Not Rudy Again

Dir: Ismail Sahin/Oona-Devi Liebich
90′ | Macchiato Pictures
Starring: Matthias Brenner, Oliver Marlo, Frank Auerbach, Ismail Sahin
European Film Market (Cannes)

Queens of Syria

Dir: Yasmin Fedda
72′ | Refuge Productions
Black Pearl Award (Best Director) – Abu Dhabi Film Festival

Strings

Dir: Rob Savage | 80′ | Idle Films | Starring: Philine Lembeck, Oliver Malam, Hannah Wilder | Raindance Award (British Independent Film Awards)


Short Film

Let Me Be Fair

Dir: Shiwei Xi
Chinese-language black and white short

His Name Was Gerry

Dir: Peter Lee Scott
Odelay Films & PLS Films
Starring: Kiera Thomson, Jack Veal, Farhan Baqi
Best Director, Best Short Film, Best Actress (British Independent Film Festival)

Electric Ghost

Dir: James Walker Sieradzki
Makeshift Motion
Starring: Lucy Chappell, David Mullenger

Raincatcher

Dir: Michele Fiascaris & Filippo Polesel
Yellow Pill Productions
Starring: Dudley O’Shaughnessey
Official Selection Sitges Film Festival, Turin Film Festival, London Short Film Festival
Nomination for Melies Award

Healey’s House

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

Tommy

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


The Jumper

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