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Mark Reeder: Architect of the Berlin Electronic Soundscape

A deep dive into the career of a British musician, producer, and label owner who profoundly shaped Berlin's vibrant electronic and underground music scene.

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About Mark Reeder

British Roots, Berlin Soul

Born on January 5, 1958, in Manchester, England, Mark Reeder developed an early fascination with progressive rock and the burgeoning electronic music scene. His formative years included working at a Virgin Records store in Manchester, immersing himself in the industry from a young age. In 1978, Reeder relocated to West Berlin, a city that would become the crucible for his extensive career in music.

A Four-Decade Career

Reeder's influence spans over four decades, positioning him as a pivotal figure behind the scenes of contemporary music. His contributions have touched a wide array of genres, from punk rock and gothic rock to electronic dance music. Beyond his own artistic endeavors, he has been instrumental in nurturing the careers of numerous artists, establishing himself as a respected industry veteran.

Industry Insight

Leveraging his profound understanding of the music industry, Reeder has been a sought-after speaker and panelist at international music conferences since the late 1980s. His insights into music production, artist development, and the evolution of electronic music have made him a respected voice in global music discourse.

Formative Bands

The Frantic Elevators

In early 1977, Reeder co-founded the punk band The Frantic Elevators in Manchester, alongside Mick Hucknall, who would later achieve global fame with Simply Red. This early venture into the punk scene laid the groundwork for his future musical explorations.

Die Unbekannten & Shark Vegas

Upon moving to Berlin in 1978, Reeder became involved with the city's underground music scene. In 1981, he formed the synthpop-rock duo Die Unbekannten with Alistair Gray. The band released influential EPs like "Radio War" and "Dangerous Moonlight," characterized by a dark, new wave, and gothic rock sound. In 1984, the band evolved into Shark Vegas, touring Europe with New Order and releasing the sought-after single "You Hurt Me," produced by Bernard Sumner.

Pioneering Labels

MFS: Masterminded For Success

In December 1990, Reeder established his own electronic dance music label, "Masterminded For Success," later known as MFS. The label's name was a clever nod to the East German Ministry for State Security (Stasi). MFS became a vital platform for emerging techno and trance artists, with Reeder playing a crucial role in discovering and nurturing talent.

Discovering Superstars

Reeder is widely credited with discovering and guiding the early career of DJ Paul van Dyk, starting in 1991. His mentorship and industry connections were instrumental in van Dyk's ascent to international superstardom. Reeder's involvement extended to almost every aspect of his artists' productions, from concept and mastering to PR and artwork ideas.

Reactivating MFS

After a hiatus, Reeder reactivated the MFS label in 2018 to release "Fragment," an album by the Chinese band STOLEN, demonstrating the label's continued relevance and Reeder's commitment to new talent.

Musical Contributions

Remixes and Reworks

Reeder has an extensive discography of remixes and reworks for a diverse range of artists. His distinctive sound, often reminiscent of 80s electronic rock and disco with a modern edge, has been applied to tracks by iconic acts such as Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, Bad Lieutenant, John Foxx, and Anne Clark, among many others. His remix work often reimagines tracks with his signature production style.

Notable Albums

As a solo artist, Reeder has released several acclaimed albums:

  • Reordered (2009): A collection of reworks of tracks by Blank & Jones, featuring vocals from artists like Robert Smith (The Cure) and Bernard Sumner (New Order).
  • Five Point One (2011): An album featuring recent remixes, notably including a previously unreleased remix for Depeche Mode.
  • Collaborator (2014): Featuring remixes and collaborations with artists like Bernard Sumner, Marnie, and Blank & Jones.
  • Mauerstadt (2017): A significant personal project reflecting his deep connection to Berlin.

Additionally, his extensive work as a producer and remixer for artists like Paul van Dyk, Depeche Mode, and New Order, as well as his contributions to film soundtracks, form a significant part of his musical legacy.

Film and Documentary Work

Lead Roles and Soundtracks

Reeder has appeared in and contributed musically to several notable films and documentaries. He starred in and composed the soundtrack for Jรถrg Buttgereit's cult film Nekromantik 2 (1991). More recently, he played a lead role and composed the soundtrack for the acclaimed documentary B-Movie: Lust & Sound in West Berlin 1979โ€“1989 (2015), which premiered at the Berlinale.

Documentaries and TV

His involvement extends to numerous music documentaries and television programs. He served as a researcher and presenter for BBC TV's "The Tube โ€“ Berlin Special" (1984) and was a key figure in the "Berliner Trance" documentary (1993). He has also been interviewed for documentaries exploring Berlin's techno scene and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Broader Influence

Art and Design

Reeder's background in advertising design informed his work on the visual identity of his labels, MFS and Flesh. He was responsible for creating many of the labels' adverts and contributed significantly to the graphic design of record releases, often collaborating with designers to bring his artistic vision to life.

Berlin's Cultural Landscape

His deep engagement with Berlin's post-wall cultural landscape, including his work with clubs like Tresor and his contributions to documentaries about the city's music scene, cements his status as a key figure in understanding Berlin's transformation into a global electronic music hub.

Discography Highlights

Key Releases

Mark Reeder's solo studio albums showcase his evolution as an artist and producer:

  • Reordered (2009)
  • Five Point One (2011)
  • Collaborator (2014)
  • Mauerstadt (2017)

Additionally, his extensive work as a producer and remixer for artists like Paul van Dyk, Depeche Mode, and New Order, as well as his contributions to film soundtracks, form a significant part of his musical legacy.

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References

References

  1.  Mark Reeder Official Myspace music website.Mark Reeder Myspace music.
  2.  MFS history Mfs-berlin.de
  3.  Dave Haslam Adventures on the Wheels of Steel: The Rise of the Superstar DJs (4th Estate 2002 www.4thestate.com) pp. 11รขย€ย“20
  4.  Creating Dance Music. The New York Times. 11 June 2000.
  5.  Die Unbekannten official myspace Myspace.com
  6.  Radio War on YouTube
  7.  Poseidon Last.fm/music
  8.  Music Review Funprox.com
  9.  Nightlife Focus: Berlin, Smirnoff Experience, 18 December 2008.
  10.  Cerysmatic Factory CerysmaticFactory.info. an unofficial blog, history & archive about Factory Records, Manchester, England.
  11.  Mark Farrow Farrowdesign.com
  12.  Audio interview Thersa.org
  13.  Mark Reeder Official Myspace.myspace.com.
  14.  Is Trance Dead?.listology.com 2 April 2008.
  15.  introducing STOLEN"electricity.co.uk" 12 October 2018
  16.  Pet Shop Boys Official website.Pet Shop Boys.co.uk/news 20 September 2008.
  17.  The Hardest Heart feat. Anne Clark.Amazon.com MP3 Downloads 18 September 2009.
  18.  John Foxx Official myspace. John Foxx Official Myspace.com.
  19.  Offizielle Blank & Jones websiteblank and jones.com
  20.  Soundcolours รขย€ย“ Reordered Soundcolours.com
  21.  Tresor exhibition opening night event RedGalleryLondon.com
  22.  Queen of Hearts- Wicked Game Soundcloud.com
  23.  Queen of Hearts- United "Soundcloud.com"
  24.  Unintended Consequences Itunes.apple.com
  25.  Call of the Wolf mix Amazon.uk
  26.  wolf-mix/ Behind the Track Lolamag.de
  27.  Marsheax Official Marscheaux.com
  28.  Marsheaux official myspace Marsheaux myspace.com
  29.  May68 official myspace Myspace.com
  30.  Electrobelle official myspace Myspace.com
  31.  รขย€ย“ Five Point One official website Five-point-one.co.uk
  32.  She Wants(Mark Reeder mix) Soundcloud.com
  33.  Duran Duran รขย€ย“ John Taylor Vlog with C'est Tout est Noir "Mark Reeder Remix" by Koishii & Hush Youtube.com
  34.  Neon (Electrically Excited Remix) Discogs.com
  35.  Sugarland "Sweet & Sticky Remix" Amazon.com.
  36.  Welcome To The Dancefloor(Willkommen im Klub Remix) Soundcloud.com
  37.  SINGLE OF THE WEEK: "MM MM MM AH" BY MODERN FAMILY UNIT Mancreview.com
  38.  Academic "Mark Reeder's Akademixxx" Discogs.com
  39.  The Game "Mark Reeder Spielt Mit Version" Discogs.com
  40.  White Walls "Mark Reeder's Stoned Wall Remix" Discogs.com
  41.  Staring at zero (Mark Reeder's Thousand Yards Stare Remix) Discogs.com
  42.  Perfect silence "ark Reeder's Perfect Moment Mix" Discogs.com
  43.  Blank & Jones, Mark Reeder รขย€ย“ Reordered Discogs.com
  44.  รขย€ย“ 5.1 Five-point-one.co.uk
  45.  Collaborator Factorybenelux.com
  46.  B-Movie hollywoodreporter.com
  47.  B-Movie IMDb.com
  48.  The Party: Nature Morte Imdb.com
  49.  Captain Berlin VS Hitler.Jorg Buttgereit
  50.  The Sound of Change รขย€ย“ Berlin, Techno, and the Fall of the Wall Alongmekong.com
  51.  PARTY AUF DEM TODESSTREIFEN Soundtrack der Wende Youtube.com
  52.  B-movie: Lust & Sound in West Berlin Vimeo.com
  53.  Berlinale Panorama Film File Belinale.de
  54.  Zoo Station:adventure in East and West Berlin Catalogue.dclibrary
  55.  Torn Apart: The Life of Ian Curtis first published 2006 Books.google.co.uk
  56.  Der Klang Der Familie รขย€ย“ Berlin, Techno und die Wende Official Facebook page
  57.  Oral history of Berlin Techno published in German TheWire.co.uk
  58.  Jรƒยผrgen Teipel mehr als laut Groove.de
  59.  'Electronic music didn't start in Berlin' Deutsche Welle dw.de
  60.  CO Berlin Co-berlin.org
  61.  100 Objects Amazon.uk
  62.  Afterpunk Highlights Amazon.com
  63.  Der Platz lovelybooks.de
  64.  Ost-Berlin amazon.de
A full list of references for this article are available at the Mark Reeder Wikipedia page

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