Monthly Archives: May 2011

David Fun Friday #2: Meet Robert Böhnke

For our second Fun Friday employee interview of the week, please say “Hallo” to Robert and don’t miss listening to his special Fun Fact at the bottom of the post!

 

Hey Robb! How are you doing today? Thanks for taking time to do this interview!

Great, thanks for having me.

So everyone out there in SoundCloud land wants to know, what is your role and how long have you been at the Berlin office?

I work on the SoundCloud Mac App, making sure SoundCloud users get a smooth experience outside of their browsers, too. I’m also studying Computer Science and bits and pieces of Game Design here in Berlin. The app originally started out as a university project called Raindrop and I’ve been working on it for SoundCloud since February 2010. Eventually, it was released as the official SoundCloud Desktop app when the Mac App Store opened in January.

You are originally from Berlin, but what are 3 things that you recommend that someone new in Berlin see or do?

Tough question, I’d say visit the Pergamonmuseum on Museumsinsel, watch Karaoke at Mauerpark – especially if Parker a.k.a. the Weatherman is there – and enjoy some German cuisine at Nansen in Neukölln.

SoundCloud is all about Sound, what are your favorite sounds that you have found on the ‘cloud?

It’s always great when artists you love publish their material on the platform you work on, like for example this track from the latest Beastie Boys record:

Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win (featuring Santigold) by Beastie Boys

I’m also a big fan of Stretta’s music (who is also a prolific samples contributor under http://soundcloud.com/stretta-samples)

Where Abundance Lies by stretta

And of course, this one:
Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell by dasracist

I have to ask, is it Burrito Friday?

According to my latest research: YES

Can you give us 3 reasons that someone should work at SoundCloud?

You get to work with some kick-ass people from all over the world in a great city, be it San Francisco, Berlin or London. Also, you get to celebrate Burrito Friday with us.

Finally, what are some fun facts that we should know about you?

Well, Ian tell’s the story better than I do, so here you go:

Fun Fact by robb

Thanks Robb for the great interview! You can follow him on SoundCloud and Twitter!

David Fun Friday #1: Meet Tomás Beck Senart

For our first Fun Friday of the week please help me welcome to the SoundCloud team, straight from Portugal – Tomas Senart! Listen to his audio message below!

Saying Hi by Senart


Sup?

Just arrived home from the office. An unexpected storm got me soaked! I should definitely check weather reports from time to time.

What’s your role? What do you like about it so far?

The title is “Back-End Developer” and I am currently on the API Team but I am pretty experienced in the full web stack. So I will probably be hopping on different projects and roles with time. I love that I quickly got proficient with the code and am already deploying a bunch of stuff tomorrow!

Coolio! Can you let us know where you are from? How did the re-location work out for you?

I’m from Lisbon, Portugal which has lovely beaches, weather and a general good vibe. Relocation was a total adventure to me. Just left (almost) everything behind and came here. Well… By the third day I had a registered address, phone number, bank account and room. :-)

What kind of shows do you like going to?

I am a clubs guy (and a DJ). So everything that involves good electronic/dance music has my potential presence.

What do you like about Berlin so far?

I love the vibe, the cultural diversity, the transportations and the nightlife is awesome!

Any favourite music on SoundCloud right now?
Connan Mockasin – Forever Dolphin Love (Erol Alkan Rework) Radio Edit [Phantasy] by Erol Alkan

and

Villa Nah – Running On (Kebacid Remix) by Turbo Recordings

So what are a few reasons why someone should join SoundCloud, or our team in particular?

I’ve never been in such a working environment. The creative feeling is just unbelievable. The people here are so intelligent and innovative it is ridiculous. Perfect sound and technology combo.

Any fun facts about yourself that you can share?

I landed on Berlin the 13th of April and got a room on Alexanderplatz on the 15th. How? Going to O2. I got there and asked the guy for a mobile plan. He gave me that and room in Alexanderplatz. Yeah… I was that lucky.

That sounds great and I am glad you have had so much luck in Berlin! You can follow Tomas on SoundCloud and Twitter!

Marie SoundCloud Local: Portland

Photo taken by StuSeeger, found on Flickr

This SoundCloud Local we stopped by a west coast city in the US called Portland! This city has a great deal of talented and diverse SoundCloud users based there. We had a look at five below!

Negutyv Xeiro
Feel like listening to some intense electronic music that will make you move your head – and body? Produced by a very passionate guy living in Portland, Negutyv Xeiro, was originally born in St Louis and developed his musical skills in Chicago. Even though these tracks are works in progress, they’re impressive!

soundcloud.com/negutyvxeiro

Joel Hunger
Joel Hunger has been playing, composing and recording music for a while now. For about a year and a half, he’s been focusing his energy on creating music for royalty free use, and since then has created nearly a hundred tracks. Currently everything you hear is available for sale for royalty free use on sites.

soundcloud.com/jhungermusic

Saffron Slumber
Saffron Slumber is the solo ambient project of Kevin Stephens. He’s based in Portland, Oregon, and has been uploading to SoundCloud regularly. His music can be described as experimental and drone-like, but you can hear for yourself below and check out more of his music at the link.

soundcloud.com/saffronslumber

Natasha Kmeto
Natasha Kmeto is a singer/producer making music that is somewhere between left-field hip-hop, modern R & B and experimental electronic music. She’s been on the upswing since the release of her latest album Expressor. You can hear some of her sultry tracks below!

soundcloud.com/natashakmeto

Beyoung
Beyoung Yu likes to be honest in real life and in the musical world. As he quotes on his myspace page: “…don’t like it when people [...] make music that doesn’t represent them”. He’s influenced by Living Legendz (Murs, Eligh and Grouch), Zion I, Danger Doom, Gemini, Guru, Jurasic 5 and much much more.

soundcloud.com/beyoung

Looking for more talent from Portland? Check out citysounds.fm/portland

If you’re in Portland, join the SoundCloud Local group and submit your tracks. We wanna hear ‘em!

Yesterday, Global Meetup Day happened! Hope everyone in Portland had fun! If you missed the meetup in your area, no need to fear, another will be happening soon! Check back on Meetup.com to see what’s happening.

Also, check out all our SoundCloud Local features to see if your area has already been featured.