"Minenhund" (which loosely translates as "Miner Dogs" is the latest work from Strotter Inst. (aka Switzerland’s Christoph Hess.) Hess creates music through the use of old, modified, Lenco turntables. Rubber bands are stretched and plucked by the stylus, dubplates have tape affixed in patterns to create textural rhythms, electrical current is sent via live wires to the needle to create pulsing feedback. These sounds are then manipulated by Hess through effects pedals to create dense sound structures, looping rhythms and multilayered broken beats. For "Minenhund," Hess also introduced and manipulated sounds from other records, primarily spoken-word records purchased cheaply from second-hand stores.
The music of Strotter Inst. has more in common with the anti-electronica of Pan Sonic or the early minimalism of Steve Reich, than to other experimental turntablists like eRikm, Philip Jeck or Christian Marclay. Hess’ roots are not in improvised music, but in industrial culture, the electronic avantgarde and electro-acoustic composition
