Berlin-based electronica project Berlin Banter has once again delivered a genre-defying masterclass with their latest single, “I’ll Wait,” the lead single off Berlin Banter’s eagerly anticipated sophomore EP, via Instant Noise Productions. Electronic music legend Tricky joins them on this mysterious track, lending his inimitable vocal prowess. The plodding, sinister score, peppered with chimes and metallic clangs, sets the stage for Tricky’s inimitable whisper.
“I’ll Wait” seamlessly melds elements of electronica, synthpop, trip-hop, and industrial into a hypnotic soundscape. The collaborators for this track wear their hearts on their sleeves: I’ll Wait sounds like a lost collaboration between Massive Attack, Depeche Mode, later Leonard Cohen and Kraftwerk. With expert mixing by the legendary Gareth Jones (who worked with Depeche Mode), it’s easy to draw these parallels with the sources themselves.
In reality, Chris Kobusch, the creative force behind Berlin Banter, says that “I’ll Wait” was composed way back in 1996, but deemed too experimental to be released at the time. It wasn’t until last summer that Chris revisited the track, which he felt was a perfect fit for Tricky’s distinctive vocal style. With Tricky residing in Berlin, Chris took the opportunity to reach out for a potential collaboration, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Listen to “I’ll Wait” on Spotify:
Berlin Banter, the avant-garde electronica project founded by music producer Chris Kobusch in 2020, is a testament to the power of collaboration and experimentation in the electronic music scene. With Berlin Banter, Kobusch has assembled a collective of vocalists and visual artists.
Their debut release, the All Too Familiar EP, is a stunning reimagining of tracks from iconic bands such as The Cure, Depeche Mode, and Pet Shop Boys. With the help of vocalist Cassis B Staudt, a film music professional who has previously worked with film producer Jim Jarmusch in New York City, Chris has crafted a collection of tracks that are at once familiar and innovative. All Too Familiar was released digitally in November 2021, with a vinyl release following in November 2022.
Tricky is a visionary in the world of music and has remained a true iconoclast. As an early member of Massive Attack, he helped to shape the sound of trip hop. Over the course of his solo career, Tricky’s style has hallmarks of dark, layered textures and a wide range of cultural influences and genres. He has collaborated with some of the most innovative and influential artists of his time, including Björk, Grace Jones, and PJ Harvey. His music has been described as a kind of sonic collage.
In addition to his work as a musician, Tricky has also made a name for himself as an actor and producer. He has appeared in a number of films and television shows, bringing his intense and brooding presence to the screen…most notably for his supporting role in the 1997 Luc Besson film The Fifth Element, playing the right-hand man “Right Arm” to evil businessman Mr. Zorg.
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