Stave

Jonathan Krohn, a Chicago-based electronic music artist and graphic designer operating under the alias Stave, has crafted a mix that delves deep into Chicago-related punk music. Alongside Karl Meier, he works on the industrial techno project Talker, whose self-titled debut LP was recently released on the critically acclaimed Downwards imprint. Jonathan was also part of the now-defunct experimental rock group Male. Krohn’s solo works have been released on labels like Repitch Recordings, Flingco Sound System, and Trensmat. Judging from his trajectory, it’s clear that in recent years Krohn has firmly rooted his musical concepts into the global electronic music scene and is poised to grow even more. His electrifying live performances at New York’s Bunker (with Regis), Berlin’s Contort, and various underground venues in Brussels not only showcase his unique sound but also reinforce his influence in the underground circuit.

Stave’s production combines a wide palette of influences, mostly drawn from the 1980s and 1990s Chicago punk and rock scene. Steve Albini (Big Black and Shellac) is another significant source of inspiration for him. Krohn interprets Albini’s music as: “Albini’s got that real metal-on-metal, tinny guitar sound, low-end bass, and tuned drums… to me that sounded like… techno.” This fusion of punk’s raw energy with techno’s mechanical precision is at the heart of Krohn’s exploration into the harsh and metallic world of sound, ultimately transforming into his stellar, purely analog electronic music with a strong sense of identity. Repetitive machine rhythms, grunge sound textures, glitchy percussion, and stone-cold effects are the fundamentals of Stave’s turbulent recordings, echoing the industrial landscapes that inspire them.

Records and connections

Krohn compiled and recorded a conceptual mix containing his early influences in rock, punk, and post-rock music. All the bands featured in this mix have a Chicago connection. He says, “It is timeless music that still resonates.” It’s no wonder a significant portion of the playlist includes artists from the cult Chicago-based Touch and Go label. Big Black, The Jesus Lizard, Negative Approach, and Rapeman are only a few of the respectable names on the list. Fourteen diverse and smoothly fused tracks released between 1982 and 2002 should easily capture the ear of any die-hard punk/rock music lover. Enrico Baj’s painting “Decorati” could be the right visual interpretation of Stave’s mix because both works are strongly related to anarchism and radiate scorn for cultural and political orthodoxy. The chaotic yet deliberate composition of “Decorati” mirrors the rebellious and unrestrained spirit of the mix, making it a fitting emblem for Krohn’s homage to Chicago’s underground legacy.