“Living Without Expectations” channels capitalism’s chokehold, self-doubt, and memory into a raw psych-rock assault. Bloke, split between London and Berlin, filter Spacemen 3’s hypnotic loops, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s dark urgency, and A Place to Bury Strangers’ clamor through krautrock’s repetitive drive.
German artist Jakob Buraczewski credits a home-studio incubator for shaping initial ideas, then re-recording in a pro setup for refinement. “It’s a process filled with passion and dedication, where every note matters,” he says.
The EP, released on February 14 via Tonzonen Records/Cargo Records, infuses feedback as a living presence—twisting it into an instrument that breathes across each track. “Money Says” and “Up Tight” spit social commentary, fueled by the eternal hustle that suffocates creativity.
“Tomorrow” dims the lights on personal reflections, weaving harmonica and distortion into an echo of lost relationships. “When it finally bursts into life with the roar of distorted guitars, the effect is truly poignant,” Jakob states, underscoring the tension between relentless repetition and sudden eruption.
Bloke’s underground credentials run deep, with shows alongside Helicon, Verstärker, Data Animal, Body Horror, and The Shadracks. Their mixture of raw garage edges and modern psychedelia emerges from London’s gritty alt-scene and Berlin’s krautrock lineage.
At its core, “Living Without Expectations” is a confrontation with the push-and-pull of modern existence, casting human struggle against a swirl of feedback and motorik persistence.
Find out why the band chose this title, how feedback shaped their studio approach, and what’s next for their experimental dive—check out the full interview below for thoughts on politics, memory, re-recording decisions, city influences, and deeper insights into these tracks.
Congratulations on ‘Living Without Expectations’. The EP’s title feels quite pointed – what’s the story behind choosing this name and how does it relate to the themes you’re exploring?
The album title captures both a reflection on contemporary life and a performative exploration of it. Through personal observations, the songs explore capitalism, self-doubt, ambition, authenticity, and memory.
The EP began in a home studio before being refined professionally. Could you walk us through this decision to re-record everything? What specific elements did you want to enhance?
A well-equipped home studio shapes ideas into a clear form, while collaborating with a band adds depth and refinement, guiding the song’s evolution in a meaningful way.
Feedback plays a crucial role throughout the record. How did you develop your approach to using feedback as an instrument in its own right?
I’ve always been fascinated by feedback as a character of its own—it adds texture, like accents on sound, and feels like a machine responding to its own mood, keeping a thought alive. When we first practiced the songs in the studio, it immediately became an integral part of them.
Your already release singles ‘Money Says’ and ‘Up Tight’ tackle broader political and social landscapes. Could you elaborate on how these themes manifested in your songwriting process?
As any artist knows, money is always a challenge. At times, this struggle even leads to the theft of ideas. These issues have been on my mind for a while, so it felt natural to explore them through songwriting.
‘Tomorrow’ stands out as a more introspective track, especially with that harmonica addition. What inspired this shift to more personal territory?
I’ve gone through different stages in my musical career, experimenting with various instruments and styles. Yet, playing just an acoustic guitar with a harmonica still fascinates me—it feels like a nostalgic tribute to history, much like past relationships. Tomorrow came together as a reflection of those experiences within the project.
The press release mentions the EP reflects society’s collective response to recent global events. How did these influences shape the overall sound and message?
I constantly observe people’s reactions and reflect on my own place in society. Identifying common themes of contemporary life has been essential to me. These elements shape the songs and serve as a key reference for the entire album.
You reference diverse influences like Spacemen 3 and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club as contributions to BLOKE’s sound. How did you develop this fusion of psychedelia, post-punk, and Krautrock elements?
I think it’s mainly about my diverse taste in these music genres. I’ve explored different bands I liked, searching for similarities in sound that align with what I envision for my own music
Feedback plays a crucial role in your sound. How did you develop your approach to using feedback as an instrument in its own right? Were there any particular challenges in capturing that live energy in the studio?
I’d give the same answer as in question 3. I’ve always been fascinated by feedback as its own character—it adds texture. From our first studio practice, it became an integral part of the songs.
Being based between London and Berlin must give you a unique perspective. How do these different scenes influence your approach to experimental rock?
I think each city has its own tone and character, which is reflected in its local music scene. Both have common ground in genres like psych and post-punk, but Berlin has a stronger krautrock influence, which has recently shaped my sound the most.
You’ve spent five years in London’s alternative scene. How would you say the city’s underground music community has shaped BLOKE’s sound?
I think it was one of the reasons I chose London. I’ve always loved bands like Pink Floyd and Hawkwind and wanted to understand how the city influenced their sound.
Now that the EP is out, what’s next for BLOKE? Are there any particular directions you’re excited to explore?
I’m already working on new material, which is really exciting because it’s taking a different direction—leaning even more into experimental and Krautrock influences. I’m looking forward to seeing how it develops in the coming weeks.
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And finally, are there any upcoming releases or artists from your local scene that you’re particularly excited about?
I think the band CAMERA is pretty good as the members helping me out in my currents project. They cooking on a new album too so worth to check out.
