Otto Dix (band)
Otto Dix | |
|---|---|
 Michael Draw | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Отто Дикс |
| Origin | Khabarovsk, Russia |
| Genres | Darkwave |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Danse Macabre Records |
| Members | Michael Draw (vocals, lyrics) Marie Slip (composition and arrangement) |
| Website | ottodix.ru |
Otto Dix is a Russian darkwave[1][2] music trio. Named after the expressionist painter of the same name, they are notable for their androgynous singer, a countertenor male called Michael Draw.
The group's style
Otto Dix is a darkwave group with EBM and industrial tunes. Draw calls their style “electronic avante-garde”. The songs' themes centre around postapocalyptic scenes, psychology, morals and BDSM. The group uses strident, hysterical melodies in their music, sounding in minor tonalities. Some melodies are similar to Dark Ambient. Every song has a tiny solo performance and original image which is made by music, lyrics, Draw’s movements and unusual vocal abilities.
History
The musical group Otto Dix was formed in the summer of 2004 in Khabarovsk. The idea of a group and its name was introduced by Draw, who had played in other bands before. At first, there was a third man who played the guitar. He introduced Draw to Slip, but some time later he left the band. Since this time Otto Dix has played electronic music. Despite their European style, all songs are written in the Russian language. Draw considers that only native language can fully express innermost thoughts.
Draw works as the centerpiece of their band, writes lyrics for their songs and Slip composes music. They also write books and draw pictures. Their first appearance was on November 28th, 2004. The group played only two songs (“White Dust” and “Penitence”). In 2004-2005 the band worked with a youth theatre "Paradigm of tine". They rehearsed in two halls. Several articles about Otto Dix were published in the local press.
On the 3rd of July the first exit performance was held in Amursk. Then Otto Dix has recorded their first album ""Ego"" and made a video clip, which had been made in one ruined factory of Amursk. Draw was a stage manager. The group also had a lot of concerts. Because of deplorable conditions of Far Eastern musical culture the band didn’t fit any company. So they have formed their own one. In winter (2005-2006) gothic club "Morion" and a gothic forum organized by Draw.
The group has performed in Vladivostok. Then Otto Dix has made a second video clip with the members of Morion club which was called “White Dust”. The clip dot the first place in Far Eastern charts. In the summer 2006 the band moved to St. Petersburg and released the album called "City". Soon after that a TV program about Otto Dix was broadcast in Khabarovsk.
On August 27th the first performance was held in St. Petersburg's Red Club. In Red Club Otto Dix also played with a foreign band (Frozen Autumn). Then they started a mini-tour with a new album. On 2nd of March the group appeared in a TV program "Unreliable but true" on TNT. It was a powerful jolt in group’s development. From that moment a new subculture movement "stalker-gothic" started.
In 2007 the band toured around Russian cities. Otto Dix had a great number of concerts and it differed them from other groups. The band also published a literary almanac "City" and worked with new materials. On September, 17th their new clip "Metal Fatigue" premiered on the A1 channel.
On 28th of September a book "Fuel" written by Draw and a book "I am Machine" written by Slip were printed. After that the group recorded another album "Nuclear Winter".
In 2007 the group became a trio. Peter Voronov (violin) first performed with Otto Dix on December 15th. Then the band had a tour called ‘cyber vs violin’.
In 2008 a new book “Program error” by Draw was published. Some time later a new tour started around SNG countries.
In 2009 the group carried out a new album “Shadow Zone” and a new clip “Dream of Spring”, which was assembled and composed by Draw. Later they had a big tour during 5 months. Draw and Slip also printed two books: “Flesh and Steel” by Draw and “The man Infu” by Slip. On 30th of May 2009 Otto Dix took part in Wave-Gotik-Treffen festival in Leipzig. And they released album “Starost” in Germany.
In 2010 the group toured in honor of their anniversary. The concerts took place at the ""Castle Party"" festival in Poland and in Berlin. At the end of 2010 Otto Dix recorded a new album called "Wonderful Days" and made a new video clip for the song "Beast". Then a new tour with their album started.
Discography
Albums
- Эго (Ego) (2005) (As Отто Дикс) [Self-Released]
- Город (City) (2006) [Gravitator Records]
- Атомная Зима (Nuclear Winter) (2007) [AMG Records]
- Эго (Переиздание) (Ego) (2007) (Reissued) [Dizzaster Records]
- Атомная Зима + Remixes (Atomic Winter) (2008)
- Зона Теней (Shadow Zone) (2009) [Gravitator Records]
- Чудные дни (Wonderful Days) (2010) [Gravitator Records / Dizzaster Records]
- Mortem (2012) [Dizzaster Records]
DVDs
- Усталость Металла (Metal Fatigue) (2008) [Dizzaster Records]
Videography
- 2005 - Ego
- 2006 - White Dust
- 2008 - Metal Fatigue
- 2009 - Dream Of Spring
- 2010 - Beast
References
- ^ "Otto Dix: Russian darkwave band". Official homepage.
- ^ "Otto Dix". Discogs.
External links
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