Webzine di cultura musicale

The protagonist of today: Jan-Dirk Platek. "On / Off" is his new musical project.

03.03.2021

Our protagonist today, the German composer Jan-Dirk Platek, tells us how he works on his music and reveals something about his latest record.

My composing space is our living room but most importantly my head. I always have a certain melody or chord progression in my head before I'm going to play it on the piano. My piano is in our living room and I always play there in the evening / night hours when our kids are asleep.

Could you tell us a little bit about your composing space and what does it signify for you?

My composing space is our living room but most importantly my head. I always have a certain melody or chord progression in my head before I'm going to play it on the piano. My piano is in our living room and I always play there in the evening / night hours when our kids are asleep. I like the evening to compose or record music. That's the daytime where I can be on my own and concentrate on my music. The "dark hours" are perfect to produce melancholic music.

Can you explain how you might compose a new piece?

There are always ideas floating around in my head. I just need to put those ideas in the right direction and record them. There is no recipe to compose - it comes from the inside. I can't read or write any notes so it's important that I record my ideas as quick as possible. There is so much music in my head - you would not believe it. I'm afraid that I die before I record all my ideas. I have so much more music to release.

Do you work on one piece at a time, or several at once?

That depends on my ideas but mostly I work on one song only. The two tracks from my latest release "On / Off" were recorded one after another. I like to finish a track first before I start with a new one.

"On / Off" represents the morning and evening hours of a day. The harmonies and chords are very similar and I composed these tracks in a very short time.

Do they influence each other?

No. Only my latest release "On / Off" contains two tracks that influenced each other. But that's the only time I could say that about my music. I think every song has to stand on its own.

How would you describe your "sound"?

That's a difficult question because I really have no idea how to describe my music. It's probably sad instrumental pop music.

Would you like to tell us something about "On / Off"?

"On / Off" represents the morning and evening hours of a day. The harmonies and chords are very similar and I composed these tracks in a very short time. It took me maybe 10 minutes to figure these chords out. I wanted two tracks for these hours of a day - The beginning and the end. Last year I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Sometimes I wish that I could switch my body "On" and "Off" just like a machine. So I'm dreaming of an "On"/"Off" button to live my life. I'm struggling with heavy fatigue so an "On" button would really help me. The button could give my body power for the day - Wouldn't that be great? Stupid idea for someone with a chronic illness.

Finally, what else are you working on at the moment?

Right now I'm recording music for an upcoming release under the name WE DESERVE THIS. Also, I have recorded a new piano solo album that I want to release later this year. When the pandemic is under control I would love to play some live shows... So that's it. Thanks for asking me these questions, I really appreciate your interest in my music.


Who is the artist?

Born in Velbert/Germany, Jan-Dirk Platek has been playing music since childhood. His first instrument was the drums, but other instruments such as guitar, bass and piano soon followed. His keen interest in various instruments grew from year to year. Over the years he developed into a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. In the late 90s Jan-Dirk Platek was active in various local bands in Germany. Today he is also the head of the instrumental rock project WE DESERVE THIS and has released several albums on the US record label Fluttery Records. But his real passion is the piano and the calm sounds of modern classical music. Under his own name, he composed numerous pieces that included into the broadcast SOUNDSCAPES on BBC Radio. His songs have also been heard on the well-known US radio station KEXP on the program "Pacific Notions". For Jan-Dirk Platek, instrumental piano music serves as a deceleration, as a way out of hectic everyday life. Music and sound are an important part of his life.


Let's listen to his new EP.

The two songs were recorded with an analog Synthesizer and an E-Piano. The two tracks are like the start of the day ("On") and the end of the day ("Off"). Since I'm fighting multiple sclerosis I wish my body is like a machine and I can switch it on and off. But sadly that's not possible. There are days where I'm so tired that I can't get out of bed. The two songs are representing the morning and evening of my daily routine.


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