The most exciting part of writing about music has been the chance to connect with creative people from other places. In 2011 Stefan Oberthaler replied to a post I made on a Yahoo music group, as I was looking for artists to interview. From the beginning I knew I had found a gem of a musician. Aside from his location in Vienna, home of the great composers, his training at the Mozarteum and his passionate embrace of electronic music, it was his warm, welcoming nature that encouraged me the most. I found him witty and generous, sharing his music with me, and always available to discuss it in depth. I eagerly awaited each new release, including his innovative nu jazz CD Journeyman and an array of esoteric electronic releases that challenge the idea of easy categorization.