Lars Bartkuhn

Inner Music was my attempt at making something different from the Needs stuff back in the day. Unfortunately the label had only two releases. Glad I finally found the master DAT because the music sounds pretty interesting to me, even 20
years later. I remember I worked so hard on the tracks that I occasionally fell asleep over my mixing desk. Good memories!

totally meaningless warmup through cycling modes...

One of my many farewell tunes for the House dancers and deep listeners. I been playing this tune in every live set for several years now. Lots of different versions, but none of them is a definite one. So a lot of headache will be caused before sending this out as a release...

From time to time I practice music. Who knows this piece?

I've been releasing 12"s and cd's for more than twenty years. And it took so long until I finally have an album that is out on vinyl! Thankful...

A new Needs release is always something special, right?! Please head over to the Rush Hour store if you're about shopping the real stuff!

I’ve been making music for more than 30 years already and only today I got my first piano. This is a very special moment in my life and I am deeply grateful. Writing music will be an even better experience from now on. So I hope to bring you some comforting and inspiring sonic adventures in the not so distant future.

Hi folks,

this is some little newsletter for you. In the near future I try to be the shameless self promotion kind of guy (who I am not of course) in order to create some attention for the music I been cooking up in my studio.

First I wanna start off by telling you there is a new little ep called PYRAMIDS. It will be available on Bandcamp soon, no Spotify, no Apple Music. If it goes well and gets some love and affection I will put it out on vinyl as well. Truth is I have loads of material that I think is cool enough for many many NEEDS 12“s to come. It’s just a question of time and energy to work on the actual releases (you all know I am a one man commando); when the time feels right though it’s GOING TO HAPPEN!
Btw, to those people who like to upload my stuff on Youtube: Basically I appreciate the fact that you feel like sharing the music. I read it as a sign that you enjoy it. Nonetheless I have to ask you kindly NOT to do it. As the person who holds all publishing rights I want to decide myself whether it’s going to be available on different platforms or not.

Besides those NEEDS kind of thingies I have recorded and produced huge loads of music in the last one or two years and some of that will see the light of day as well. Together with my friend KABUKI we have a new project and album called THE FIRST MINUTE OF A NEW DAY. It’s a very special record that will soon be released on the cool Canadian label SÉANCE CENTRE. The music is very atmospheric, raw and pure, cosmic and jazzy. Big big project for both of us, for the fact alone that we recorded tons of modular and analog synthesizers, acoustic guitars, percussion, used field recordings, long form piano improvisations and even feature the legendary LARAAJI on one of the album tracks. The liner notes say we are somewhere in between ECM, Windham Hill and esoteric Krautrock (I think it’s much more than that!)…

Then there are three more solo albums that I finished, one being a kind of balearic House project, one very dark ambient lp and one not so dark ambient lp. And two more albums that are also almost finished. Seems like going digital is the only way to go for a musical wayfarer like me. Releasing music gets a whole new meaning when thinking about releasing all the stress, work, thoughts, reflections, performances, doubts… just letting go.

NE021

First time since lockdown I picked up the guitar. My finger muscles getting weaker and weaker; personal transition to becoming a simple ballad player. Been practicing Waltz For Debby forever and found this new approach (new for me) just now. Still lots of flaws but getting there.
Who wants new NEEDS records?!?!