I have never been to Berlin, but I've been to Austin a number of times. The image I have of Berlin, admittedly comes from American news and pop culture references, is likely not terribly accurate but there is no way that I would have ever considered Berlin to be an up-and-coming version of Austin. Berlin has over 3 million people while Austin has less than 1 million, that's a pretty big difference right there. But I get that the comparisons have more to do with the an emerging tech industry that is complemented by a distinct music scene. I wonder, anyone here been to both cities? Is there a valid comparison to be made?
I live in Berlin myself, and have spent a fair amount of time in Austin. I made a few records there with my old band, the Christal Methodists, in the 1990s, and have returned a few times since. I think the bottom line is that parallel industries and music scenes aside, Austin is simply more wealthy. Exponentially so. Berlin doesn't have any industry, whatsoever. WWII wiped it all out, and it hasn't been revived since the wall fell, in 1989. It's just government and the arts. The city government looks to US cities, like Austin, and Portland, where there are thriving digital scenes, and imagines that this would be the fastest and most complementary way to revive.
The same "Christal Methodist's" that brought us New World Odour? Great stuff!The city government looks to US cities, like Austin, and Portland, where there are thriving digital scenes, and imagines that this would be the fastest and most complementary way to revive.
-Is that an unrealistic expectation by your estimation?
Hah, yes. Thanks! My handle was Khmer Ribs. I co-founded the band at Reed College, with Shrimpy Skampers (Patrick Burkart.) Yeah, I do think it's unrealistic. Most state investment in east Germany goes towards infrastructure building and unemployment, due to the region's continued need for post-communist rehabilitation. The German government would have to change priorities, and reinvest equally in the private sector to make things work. That's not going happen any time soon, I wager.