Jorg Burger German musician Date of Birth: 24.03.1962 Country: Germany

1. Jörg Burger: German Music Pioneer
2. The Modernist's Approach
3. Early Career and Labels
4. Harvest Records and The Modernist
5. Popular Organization and Matador Records
6. Protest and Return to Kompakt
7. Recent Collaborations and Releases

Jörg Burger: German Music Pioneer

Jörg Burger, known as Burger Industries, Triola, The Bionaut, and The Modernist, is an integral figure in Cologne's minimalist techno scene.

The Modernist's Approach

Despite his focus on modern and contemporary electronic music, Burger remains surprisingly passionate about classic British indie pop from the 1980s. This unexpected influence is evident in The Modernist's "melodic minimalism," featuring balanced guitar overtones and carefully placed vocals.

Early Career and Labels

Tracing his origins to the acid house movement of 1988, Burger released his first tracks on Thomas Fehlmann's Teutonic Beats. He founded Trance Atlantic and Monochrome, releasing music with collaborator Wolfgang Voigt. Immersed in electronic culture, he co-founded Delirium (later Kompakt) and Eat Raw, and launched House Attack magazine.

Harvest Records and The Modernist

In 1995, Burger joined EMI Germany's re-established Harvest label, releasing the critically acclaimed The Bionaut: Lush Life Electronica and Burger/Ink: Las Vegas. The label's peak came in 1997 with The Modernist's debut, Opportunity Knox.

Popular Organization and Matador Records

Two years later, Burger left Harvest and established his own label with Sony Music. This led to the formation of Popular Organization, including Popular Sound, Popular Music, and Popular Tools, which released The Modernist's Explosion 1999. The album was licensed and re-released by Matador Records in the US as Explosion 2000, marking a milestone in Burger's career.

Protest and Return to Kompakt

Burger's 2003 album, Kangmei, included the track "Protest Song," which hinted at political resistance. However, it ultimately reflected his ongoing ambivalent relationship with America. In 2004, he returned to Kompakt, releasing Triola Im Fünftonraum.

Recent Collaborations and Releases

Since the founding of Kompakt Studios in 2005, Burger has collaborated with artists such as Reinhard Voigt, Jürgen Paape, Michael Mayer, and Superpitcher. His latest solo releases are Jürg Burger Polyform 1 & 2 on K2. In 2006, he joined forces with Reinhard Voigt for the Echo Club project. Burger/Voigt reunited in 2007, releasing Bring Trance Back and Roter Platz on Kompakt.