Ach du Lieber! Tuesday is the birthday of not one, but two members of the highly influential German band Kraftwerk. And if that’s not enough, Wednesday night sees Kraftwerk perform at the State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis.

Kraftwerk are part of a group of pioneering bands who comprise a musical subgenre known as Krautrock, which emerged in the late 1960s and early 70s, and it involved the experimental sounds of psychedelic rock and the emerging textures of electronic music. Also known as “cosmic music” in Germany, this subgenre influenced post-punk, techno and new age music, and its effects are still felt today.

So let’s celebrate German music, not only Krautrock bands but their successors, as well as artists who are or have been based in Germany. For today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs by bands from Germany do you want to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs played:
Kraftwerk - Computer World
Trio - Da Da Da
Milky Chance - Stolen Dance
Can - Spoon
The Notwist - Neon Golden
David Bowie - Boys Keep Swinging
Mouse on Mars - Mykologics