This is a true story: 
On November 23, 1977, Debbie Harry and Blondie performed in a concert at the Radio Bremen studio in my hometown of Bremen. The audience consisted of only 20 people, including me, just 18 years old. 
Nobody here at the time knew what a great band they were and that they would conquer the world.

There is a recording of this performance, which can be found on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3aWsq0ykFfE?si=5MbzDK7DoPm7PiOg


Bremen town, a foggy night
November cold, but the lights were bright
Radio station, Studio Three
You were gonna be on TV
Just eighteen, a nervous kid
Didn't know the history we did
Platinum blonde, a punk-rock queen
The coolest thing I'd ever seen!

The room was small, not even packed
Twenty kids in a TV act
The camera pans, "Now look alive!"
"Pretend there's more than twenty-five!"
You hit the stage, a sonic wave
For the tiny, secret crowd you gave
Your everything, we loved the sound
On that forgotten German ground.

No photograph from 'seventy-seven
No polaroid of teenage heaven
But fifty years, a flash of light
A.I. makes the memory bright
It's a fake selfie, yeah I know
But in my heart, it's our first show
Me and Debbie, side-by-side
Got nothing to prove and nothing to hide.

You thought the ocean was just down the street
Made us all smile, oh that was sweet
A moment lost in time, no trace...
Until the A.I. puts a smile on my face
Yeah, I know it isn't true
A pixel-perfect me and you
But the feeling's real, it takes me back
To that sound, that new wave track.

No photograph from 'seventy-seven
No polaroid of teenage heaven
But fifty years, a flash of light
A.I. makes the memory bright
It's a fake selfie, yeah I know
But in my heart, it's our first show
Me and Debbie, side-by-side
Got nothing to prove and nothing to hide.

No photograph from 'seventy-seven
No polaroid of teenage heaven
But fifty years, a flash of light
A.I. makes the memory bright
No photograph from 'seventy-seven
No polaroid of teenage heaven
But fifty years, a flash of light
A.I. makes the memory bright
So bright...

—
Arrangement and vocals: Volker Redder, Udio, Apple's GarageBand
Loops and samples: Volker Redder, Apple's GarageBand
Editing and sound design: Volker Redder, Sound Studio, Ozone 11, GarageBand
Lyrics: Volker Redder, translated with the help of Google Translate
Cover design: Volker Redder, Adobe Photoshop, FLUXpro, Apple's Keynote

A.I. Makes The Memory Bright

"Redder" is a palindrome. Like "racecar" or "level". These pieces of music ain't.

Hi, I’m Volker – or "docredder"/"redder" when it comes to music. My journey into sound started early: as a child I sang Bach in a boys’ church choir, and that’s when I discovered how music can feel like both mathematics and magic at the same time. Later in life, I studied science and technology, but music has always stayed with me, as a way to process emotions, ideas, and imagination.
I’m not a virtuoso on any instrument, just a little guitar and some keyboard, but that never stopped me. For me, music is not about technical perfection, it’s about creating moods, telling small stories, and experimenting with sounds. That’s why I produce everything myself: the writing, the arrangements, the vocals, the mixing, and even the cover artwork. It’s a DIY approach, but it allows me to keep every piece authentic.
My influences are eclectic. I’ve always admired the timeless soundscapes of Pink Floyd and Genesis, the storytelling of Supertramp, the bold arrangements of Yes, Electric Light Orchestra and Muse, and the free spirit of Miles Davis. From progressive rock and indie pop to touches of jazz, funk, or ambient - I enjoy blending different textures until something new emerges.
Over the past years I’ve released a wide range of tracks, from introspective ballads like "Lament of the Last Generation" and "The End of Our Human Days" to playful experiments such as "Anna Sutter" or "Das Sein im Tinder-Schein". Some songs are melancholic, others ironic, some are inspired by literature, history, or science fiction. What connects them all is that they come straight from the heart - and from curiosity.
Every song is a little adventure for me. Sometimes it begins with a lyric, sometimes with a guitar loop, sometimes just with a feeling. I use simple tools like GarageBand, samples, my own voice and AI voices, but I try to arrange and transform them in ways that keep the listener surprised. My hope is that, even if just for a few minutes, the music opens a window into a different perspective.
I’m grateful for everyone who listens, shares, or gives feedback. Music for me is about connection - and every play, every comment, every message makes this journey worthwhile. If you enjoy honest, handmade songs that mix styles and don’t always follow the rules, I’d love for you to join me on this path.