A Chat with Present Paradox (19.05.26)
The brainchild of Dortmund-based musician David Kleinekottmann, Present Paradox provides “…insights into the often opaque nature of the present…” Oscillating between experimental, electronica, and indie, Present Paradox is nostalgic but refreshingly new, diverse but comfortable, and something that will keep you entertained for hours. We speak with Kleinekottmann about Present Paradox, his album A Vibrant Sea, and much more.
OSR: You are based in Dortmund, a prominent industrial city defined by its industrial background. It was originally a strong manufacturing town, but now its service is rooted in modern technology. Do you think your environment and being raised in Dortmund has influenced your music?
Kleinekottmann: I think Dortmund has gone through a lot of changes – just like the whole of the so-called Ruhr region. But yes, I’m absolutely convinced that Present Paradox wouldn’t be the same if the project were based in a different city. If there’s something raw about the music, then in my opinion that’s definitely because I somehow absorb the atmosphere of the city. On the other hand, when it comes to musical influences, I think Present Paradox is quite the opposite of what’s currently happening musically here: lots of punk bands, metal and so on. Genres that Present Paradox has nothing to do with – apart from a touch of post-punk. I mean, I love this genre, but as far as I know, there aren’t many bands from our area that are rooted in it.
OSR: The name “Present Paradox” seems to suggest a tension between the present and something contrasting. How did you come to choose this band name, and how did the project come about?
Kleinekottmann: The project began back in 2011, and I read a lot about radical constructivism, Paul Watzlawick and similar topics, and he gave a bunch of examples of how paradoxes can influence communication. So if someone says, ‘Be spontaneous!’, your reaction can no longer be spontaneous, because it is a reaction. At that time, there were also online recordings of Thom Yorke playing the unreleased song ‘Present Tense’. Wonderful and haunting. Put both together, and you get the band’s name – it’s as simple as that. But now I feel that it somehow captures the sound of the music too. The blend of acoustic and electronic instruments, or the fact that it sounds like a band even though it’s largely a solo project.
OSR: You recently released your album, A Vibrant Sea. What can you tell us about it?
Kleinekottmann: I think the album covers very contemporary themes: A state of constant restlessness; things that seem within reach but are ultimately out of reach. But, as one line puts it, “everyone else feels the same way” – and that’s precisely the moment when one of the songs [‘Blinded By The Light Of The Screen’] becomes warmer. Because the realisation that these aren’t just individual experiences you go through is comforting. So what I’m trying to say is, there’s certainly a certain common thread running through it all. And looking back, I’d say that’s what I tried to capture.
OSR: As a veteran musician, do you find yourself facing new challenges when creating songs and producing albums, or does everything come naturally without any real surprises?
Kleinekottmann: During the recording of A Vibrant Sea, I tried to recreate that technical effect Jonny Greenwood has used on The Smile’s latest albums: it’s a delay effect where you create a constant repeating pattern. Robert Fripp did something similar back in the 80s. It’s quite difficult to achieve because you have to concentrate very hard and get the timing exactly right. I’m afraid of doing that live. So yeah, I’m always facing new challenges.
OSR: What do you hope people take from A Vibrant Sea, and what does the album mean to you?
Kleinekottmann: Well, I hope that people will see the whole thing as a journey from start to finish and will be able to relate to it in some way. It’s hard to say what it means to me. In the end, I find myself surprised at how I managed to pull it off. On the other hand, I need some distance from it, because I heard it too often during the recording phase.
OSR: The album is noted for its aural dualism matching organic strings with synthetic elements. Does this contrast mirror the way you balance the mechanical expectations of life with more human needs?
Kleinekottmann: Well, sound is sound, and at the end of the day, I’m just moving wave files around; the difference between strings and synth is purely a matter of tone. And it simply reflects the music I like to listen to, because almost all the bands I like use it. As for the reflection on the mechanical expectations of life, as you put it, I clearly reflect that in the lyrics
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Kleinekottmann: Mostly everything. I mean, would you want to live without it?
OSR: If you were to introduce a new listener to your music, which song would you recommend?
Kleinekottmann: Good question. ‘Denial, Denial’ from the 2024 album, A Trace To Keep Control, has somehow become a fan favourite on the tour, so perhaps we should start with that song.
OSR: If you could speak with your younger self, what advice would you give the young David Kleinekotmann?
Kleinekottmann: Keep this idea in mind: Present Paradox is a really good project that will give you plenty of enjoyable moments.
OSR: What can we expect from Present Paradox in the future?
Kleinekottmann: Music, music and more music. Even if you don’t hear from me for a while.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Kleinekottmann: I am, of course, grateful to everyone who takes the time to listen to the music in these very hectic times. If you like what you hear, feel free to follow me on the usual platforms to stay up to date.
Many thanks to David Kleinekottmann for speaking with us. Find out more about Present Paradox on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Bandcamp, Soundcloud and Spotify.
