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One of the most innovative sound designers of his time, Conny Plank pioneered ‘Kraut-rock’ and ‘neue deutsche welle’ from his sound studio near Cologne. Here, director Stephan Plank picks up the thread of his father’s legacy on a journey to rediscover Conny’s impact on music history.
Konrad “Conny” Plank is undoubtedly one of the most innovative sound designers of his time. The recordings realised in his sound studio near Cologne between the 60s and 80s revolutionised the music world.
He was the pioneer of ‘Kraut-rock’, ‘neue deutsche welle’ and paved the way for the revolutions of electronic and pop music respectively. When he died aged 47, he left behind his 13 year old son, Stephan, who had grown up around the artists his father worked with, from Neu! and Can to David Stewart and Midge Ure.
The Potential of Noise begins 25 years on, with Stephan embarking on a journey to rediscover his father’s impact and his importance in music history. The family connection brings an unusually intimate and emotional insight to the artists and their work with Conny Plank, and all that defines music production.