It was a couple of years back when I was travelling to Offenbach am Main with some friends and colleagues; Matthew Herbert was set to record club Robert Johnson that night, as the second part of his then newly established ‘One’ conceptual album series. Herbert had prepared his favourite club (including the toilets) with microphones, invited the audience, and asked them for field recordings during the night. And what a wild night it was! I will never forget that night (although this was partially alcohol-related)!
Founded in 1999, club Robert Johnson has witnessed countless nights like this. The small venue in Offenbach (close to, but not in Frankfurt am Main) follows a simple, clean, and familial attitude during its long nights of hedonism. After 13 years of existence Ata Macias, the RJ staff and friends look back on their past with the new photos and interviews book Come On In My Kitchen.
With contributions (amongst others) from Bill Brewster, Roman Flügel, DJ Harvey, Gerd Janson, Stephan Loichinger, Theo Parrish, Ewan Pearson, Ivan Smagghe, Christoph Keller, and Ata himself, Come On In My Kitchen reflects the varied history of Robert Johnson with party photos, old flyers, and texts.
Filling 380 coloured pages, Come On In My Kitchen reflects RJs mission statement, combining art, design, fashion, and culture together with music. Preview the book in the current issue of Groove magazine, get it now at JRP Ringier / Christoph Keller Editions, and RJ itself. Also, catch up with their current anniversary club tour through Germany, ‘Live at Robert Johnson’ – see all dates below.
Live at Robert Johnson:
April 21 DE-Stuttgart – Kim Tim Jim (Ata & Lauer)
May 11 DE-Berlin – Panorama Bar (Roman Flügel, Ata, Oliver Hafenbauer & Arto Mwambe (live))
May 25 DE-Cologne – Studio 672 (Ata, Oliver Hafenbauer & The Citizen’s Band (live))
June 6 DE-Hamburg – Golem (Ata & Oliver Hafenbauer)
The author on Twitter:
Follow @wwwacht
top