# indie.berlin > Everything indie. In Berlin. ## Pages - [Cookie policy](https://www.indie.berlin/cookie-policy/) - [Photo Permissions](https://www.indie.berlin/photo-permissions/) - [Order Failed](https://www.indie.berlin/order-failed/): Your transaction failed, please try again or contact support. - [Finding Friends](https://www.indie.berlin/finding-friends/) - [Log In](https://www.indie.berlin/log-in/) - [Sign Up](https://www.indie.berlin/sign-up/) - [Reset Password](https://www.indie.berlin/reset-password/) - [My Account](https://www.indie.berlin/account/) - [My Profile](https://www.indie.berlin/my-profile/) - [Member Directory](https://www.indie.berlin/member-directory/) - [Checkout](https://www.indie.berlin/checkout/) - [Order Confirmation](https://www.indie.berlin/order-confirmation/): Thank you for your order! - [Messages](https://www.indie.berlin/messages/) - [Media Kit](https://www.indie.berlin/media-kit/) - [indieBerlin Media Kit 2026](https://www.indie.berlin/indieberlin-media-kit-2026/): If you’d like indieBerlin to present or promote your event, release or similar, please get in touch below! You can... - [Get your independent establishment featured on indieBerlin](https://www.indie.berlin/get-your-independent-establishment-featured-on-indieberlin/) - [Lyrics for Singalong at the Birthday Party](https://www.indie.berlin/lyrics/): Valerie Well sometimes I go out by myselfAnd I look across the waterAnd I think of all the things, what... - [Berlin Startup Neuigkeiten](https://www.indie.berlin/berlin-startup-neuigkeiten/) - [indie Gentlemen Styles](https://www.indie.berlin/indie-gentlemen-styles/) - [Sample Page](https://www.indie.berlin/sample-page/): This is an example page. It’s different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will... - [List your Event](https://www.indie.berlin/list-your-event-2/) - [Event list](https://www.indie.berlin/event-list/) - [Submit Event](https://www.indie.berlin/submit-event/) - [Upcoming Concerts](https://www.indie.berlin/upcoming-concerts/) ## Posts - [Review - Charli XCX - Music, Fashion, Film](https://www.indie.berlin/review-charli-xcx-music-fashion-film/): Charli XCX – Music, Fashion, Film The pop provocateur turns muse into manifesto Charli XCX has spent the better part... - [WTF Politics UK: The End of the Starmer Project, and the Manchester Man Walking Into Downing Street](https://www.indie.berlin/wtf-politics-uk-the-end-of-the-starmer-project-and-the-manchester-man-walking-into-downing-street/): Two years is nothing in the life of a country and an eternity in the life of a government. Keir... - [Review - Olivia Rodrigo - stupid song](https://www.indie.berlin/review-olivia-rodrigo-stupid-song/): livia Rodrigo has never been particularly interested in playing it cool. Since her seismic debut single drivers license broke streaming... - [RAPK - Mond - Sehnsucht, Rückzug und Weitergehen (DE)](https://www.indie.berlin/rapk-rezension-der-neuen-single-mond/): RAPK – „Mond“ RAPK richten den Blick nach oben und bleiben doch mit beiden Füßen in Kreuzberg: “Mond” ist eine... - [Live in Prachtwerk 2.7 - Molly Mogul + Leon The Singer](https://www.indie.berlin/live-in-prachtwerk-2-7-molly-mogul-leon-the-singer/): Into crossovers between live music, experimental pop, performance, and queer stage art? Then don’t miss this – a special concert... - [Stubborn, Brilliant, Broke: Berlin's Food Scene Has the Same Soul as Its Music Scene - And the Same Problems](https://www.indie.berlin/stubborn-brilliant-broke-berlins-food-scene-has-the-same-soul-as-its-music-scene-and-the-same-problems/): Walk into a Vietnamese spot in Lichtenberg run by the same family for thirty years, then into a Mexican-Japanese tasting... - [Review - Inferno - Boards of Canada](https://www.indie.berlin/review-inferno-boards-of-canada/) - [Berlin's startups tackling the climate crisis](https://www.indie.berlin/berlins-startups-tackling-the-climate-crisis/): Berlin and Germany have become especially strong climate-tech hubs because they combine a wealth of engineering talent, strong public and... - [Review of The Cure - Olivia Rodrigo](https://www.indie.berlin/review-of-the-cure-olivia-rodrigo/) - [Review - Lola Young: From Down Here](https://www.indie.berlin/review-lola-young-from-down-here/): Lola Young – From Down Here A bruising ballad from one of British soul’s most compelling young voices There are... - [Berlin's Food Scene in 2026: Still Chaotic, Still Brilliant, Still Somehow Surviving](https://www.indie.berlin/berlinsindependent-foodie-scene-is-under-pressure-but-still-glowing/): Nobody tells Berlin’s food scene what to do. Not the Michelin inspectors, not the venture capital crowd, not the landlords... - [Grit in the Capital: The Real Challenges Facing International Startups in Berlin](https://www.indie.berlin/grit-in-the-capital-the-real-challenges-facing-international-startups-in-berlin/): Berlin has long worn its cosmopolitan identity like a badge of honour. Cheap rents, a deep creative gene pool, and... - [Review - Big Dog by The Last Dinner Party](https://www.indie.berlin/review-big-dog-by-the-last-dinner-party/) - [Review: Lemon Eye](https://www.indie.berlin/review-lemon-eye/) - [Gipsy Kings- May 15th LIVE Historia ALBUM RELEASE at ASTRA Kulturhaus](https://www.indie.berlin/gipsy-kings-may-15th-live-historia-album-release-at-astra-kulturhaus/) - [Finding Your Sonic Fingerprint: Standing Out in a Crowded Music Scene](https://www.indie.berlin/finding-your-sonic-fingerprint-standing-out-in-a-crowded-music-scene/) - [Review - Holly Humberstone - Beauty Pageant](https://www.indie.berlin/review-holly-humberstone-beauty-pageant/) - [Review: Ojos Secos - Adrian Quesada and Cuco](https://www.indie.berlin/review-ojos-secos-adrian-quesada-and-cuco/) - [Review: Need Someone by Alberta Cross](https://www.indie.berlin/review-need-someone-by-alberta-cross/) - [Interview with Ronny Krieger on KiTalbums– By Luysiane for indieBerlin](https://www.indie.berlin/interview-with-ronny-krieger-on-kitalbums-by-luysiane-for-indieberlin/) - [MIN t - Berlin-based Polish artist drops "Hope" - first single from her upcoming album](https://www.indie.berlin/min-t-berlin-based-polish-artist-drops-hope-first-single-from-her-upcoming-album/) - [Your EPK: The Full Package That Actually Opens Doors](https://www.indie.berlin/your-epk-the-full-package-that-actually-opens-doors/) - [WTF Politics #2 - Our weekly roundup of what's up in German politics](https://www.indie.berlin/wtf-politics-2-our-weekly-roundup-of-whats-up-in-german-politics/) - [Introducing our new weekly WTF Politics](https://www.indie.berlin/introducing-our-new-weekly-wtf-politics/) - [Grauzone Festival 2026 in Review: Three Days of Artistic Exploration and Indulgence](https://www.indie.berlin/grauzone-festival-2026-in-review-three-days-of-artistic-exploration-and-indulgence/) - [“Berlin Short Film Festival" at Babylon: Amazing Shorts, Iconic Venue!](https://www.indie.berlin/berlin-short-film-festival-at-babylon-amazing-shorts-iconic-venue/): My entrance to the Babylon was as always, a historic and nostalgic experience. I don’t come to the Babylon often,... - [Bandcamp bans AI songs + brings back Bandcamp Fridays](https://www.indie.berlin/bandcamp-bans-ai-songs-brings-back-bandcamp-fridays/): Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... Bandcamp Takes a Stand: Putting Human Creativity First – plus Bandcamp Fridays!... - [Building a Killer Instagram Presence: A Musician's Guide to Social Media Growth](https://www.indie.berlin/building-a-killer-instagram-presence-a-musicians-guide-to-social-media-growth/) - [SOLD OUT: Grauzone Festival 2026 Takes Over Den Haag THIS Weekend!](https://www.indie.berlin/sold-out-grauzone-festival-2026-takes-over-den-haag-this-weekend/): Grauzone, one of Europe’s most acclaimed gatherings focusing on the connection between film, music, and art, returns for 3 days... - [The 14th Berlin Short Film Festival at Babylon THIS weekend!](https://www.indie.berlin/the-14th-berlin-short-film-festival-at-babylon-this-weekend/): 14th Berlin Short Film Festival / 26 films, 2 days, 1 venue / 6-7 February 2026 in Berlin Venue: Babylon... - [The One-Sheet: Your Music Career's Secret Weapon (That Takes 30 Minutes to Make)](https://www.indie.berlin/the-one-sheet-your-music-careers-secret-weapon-that-takes-30-minutes-to-make/): Hey there, fellow music makers! This week, we’re diving into something that might seem mundane but is absolutely crucial for... - ["British Shorts Retrospective" Event Review: German Premiere of “Scala!!!”at Sputnik Kino](https://www.indie.berlin/british-shorts-retrospective-event-review-german-premiere-of-scalaat-sputnik-kino/): “The Scala had magic. It was like joining a club – a very secret club, like a biker gang or... - [Folk Artist Noah Derksen presenting new Video “Chuck Palahniuk”](https://www.indie.berlin/folk-artist-noah-derksen-presenting-new-video-chuck-palahniuk/) - [The majestic British Shorts hits again this week](https://www.indie.berlin/the-majestic-british-shorts-hits-again-this-week/) - [Mote "Vampires" and Beyond: Upcoming single "Return" with Blake Harley](https://www.indie.berlin/mote-vampires-and-beyond-upcoming-single-return-with-blake-harley/) - [Queen Quail – Finding a Self in the Static](https://www.indie.berlin/queen-quail-finding-a-self-in-the-static/): There’s a particular kind of artist who arrives not with bombast but with a quiet gravitational pull — someone whose... - [Video Premiere 'Bad Instinct' by Charlie Risso](https://www.indie.berlin/video-premiere-bad-instinct-by-charlie-risso/): Psychedelic, pulsating, and sparkling: First Single from the promising new album (spring 2026) from the exceptional Italian artist Charlie Risso... - [Indigo De Souza Drops Emotionally Charged Indie Pop Album 'Precipice'](https://www.indie.berlin/indigo-de-souza-drops-emotionally-charged-indie-pop-album-precipice/): Indigo De Souza Takes Us to the Edge with Her Soul-Stirring New Album ‘Precipice’ In a music landscape cluttered with... - [Two nights of music. Twenty-five concerts. One ticket. Win it here.](https://www.indie.berlin/two-nights-of-music-twenty-five-concerts-one-ticket-win-it-here/): From the 11th to the 13th November Berlin’s favourite music combined convention/festival is on again. Yup, next week Tuesday-Thursday you... - [Marketing for musicians #gazillion+1 - TikTok](https://www.indie.berlin/marketing-for-musicians-how-to-tiktok/): DIY Music Promo: Making TikTok Work for You (Without Feeling Fake) Hey indie artists! This week, we’re diving into the... - [Win tickets to MW:M2 25 - Berlin's most futuristic music conference.](https://www.indie.berlin/win-tickets-to-mwm2-25-berlins-most-futuristic-music-conference/) - [New Lola Young Album Out Now](https://www.indie.berlin/new-lola-young-album-out-now/): The day we’ve been waiting for has come... the wonderful Lola Young’s brand new album I’m Only Fucking Myself is... - [Feral Folk Festival this Saturday](https://www.indie.berlin/feral-folk-festival-this-saturday/): If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, and you’re just aching for some real music with real people... - [Walter Mitty and His Makeshift Orchestra Drop New Track “101 S” After 10-Year Hiatus](https://www.indie.berlin/walter-mitty-and-his-makeshift-orchestra-drop-new-track-101-s-after-10-year-hiatus/): Return of the Folk Punk Heroes: Walter Mitty and His Makeshift Orchestra Break Their 10-Year Silence Remember that band you... - [Reneé Rapp’s Synth-Pop Sophomore LP 'BITE ME' Drops August 1](https://www.indie.berlin/renee-rapps-synth-pop-sophomore-lp-bite-me-drops-august-1/): Reneé Rapp Brings the Heat: ‘BITE ME’ Album Set to Sizzle This Summer Hold onto your headphones, folks! The queen... - [New German Government’s Housing Playbook: Rent Caps, Tax Tweaks & Building Blitz](https://www.indie.berlin/new-german-governments-housing-playbook-rent-caps-tax-tweaks-building-blitz/): Germany’s Housing Revolution: Rent Caps, Tax Shake-ups & Building Bonanza Germany’s property market is getting a serious makeover, folks! The... - [Berlin's Cultural Scene Next Week: Art, Music, and More to Catch](https://www.indie.berlin/berlins-cultural-scene-next-week-art-music-and-more-to-catch/): Berlin’s Cultural Scene Next Week: Art, Music, and More to Catch Ah, Berlin. The city where history and hedonism collide... - [New Indie Singles Drop July 18: From Alice Glass to Hot Mulligan](https://www.indie.berlin/new-indie-singles-drop-july-18-from-alice-glass-to-hot-mulligan/) - [Feral Folk Festival Rides Again - 30th August Weissensee](https://www.indie.berlin/feral-folk-festival-rides-again/): SECOND EDITION OF THE FERAL FOLK FESTIVAL – August 30, 2025 at the Freilichtbühne Weißensee Open-Air Stage in Berlin Following... - [Palantir, the US govt, and why everyone should be worried](https://www.indie.berlin/palantir-the-us-govt-and-why-everyone-should-be-worried/): It was an Instagram reel that stopped me scrolling and made me watch it again, incredulous although, sadly, unsurprised, at... - [SYLMAR - if you like finest Indie-Stoner-Rock](https://www.indie.berlin/sylmar-if-you-like-finest-indie-stoner-rock/): Sylmar is an indie-rock stoner jazz quintet from Cincinnati taking the rock genre to the meat grinder. Through contagious hooks... - [Indie Music Gossip: What’s Up With the Scene’s Biggest Names This Month?](https://www.indie.berlin/indie-music-gossip-whats-up-with-the-scenes-biggest-names-this-month/): Indie Music Gossip: What’s Up With the Scene’s Biggest Names This Month? The indie music rumour mill is spinning faster... - [Indie Gaming News: The Latest from the World of Indie Computer Games and New Releases](https://www.indie.berlin/indie-gaming-news-the-latest-from-the-world-of-indie-computer-games-and-new-releases/): Indie Gaming News: The Latest from the World of Indie Computer Games and New Releases In the vast ocean of... - [New Indie Video Game Releases: What’s Dropping in June 2025?](https://www.indie.berlin/new-indie-video-game-releases-whats-dropping-in-june-2025/): New Indie Video Game Releases: What’s Dropping in June 2025? While the gaming giants are busy polishing their next blockbusters... - [Sly Stone Dies - A legend passes](https://www.indie.berlin/sly-stone-dies-a-legend-passes/): Sly Stone needs no introduction: It was said of the funk legend (by the music database AllMusic): “James Brown may... - [Fresh Indie Music Drops: May 2025’s Must-Listen Tracks and Albums](https://www.indie.berlin/fresh-indie-music-drops-may-2025s-must-listen-tracks-and-albums/): Fresh Indie Music Drops: May 2025’s Must-Listen Tracks and Albums Hey music lovers! If your playlists are feeling a bit... - [Video Premiere - Die Münchner IndieRocker DIGITAL CARBS sind zurück](https://www.indie.berlin/head-in-the-clouds-video-premiere-die-munchner-indierocker-digital-carbs-sind-zuruck/): Wir sind wirklich erfreut solch lässige Bands in Deutschland zu entdecken – Digital Carbs zünden erneut ein Feuerwerk und kündigen... - [Hindsight 20/25: Currents by Tame Impala (2015)](https://www.indie.berlin/hindsight-20-25-currents-by-tame-impala-2015/): An Anniversary retrospective Happy (almost) 10th birthday to Currents. The 3rd studio album from Tame Impala and what’s widely considered... - [Berlin's Industrial Ruins Are Incubating Europe's Most Ambitious Startups](https://www.indie.berlin/berlins-industrial-ruins-are-incubating-europes-most-ambitious-startups/): The future of European tech is being forged in the skeleton of its industrial past. In Berlin’s startup epicenters, century-old... - [Indie Beer: Now that's what I call indie #1](https://www.indie.berlin/indie-beer-now-thats-what-i-call-indie-1/): While we’ve spent countless years devoted to the concept, vibe and lifestyle of what we consider the indie approach to... - [Retro RnB from New York - GARTH. Live at Lark Berlin, March 19th](https://www.indie.berlin/retro-rnb-from-new-york-garth-live-at-lark-berlin-march-19th/): Garth. , a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter and visual producer, has quickly made a name for himself, amassing over 5 million streams... - [A breath of fresh air: Judith Antkowiak in Interview](https://www.indie.berlin/a-breath-of-fresh-air-judith-antkowiak-in-interview/): Born in Dresden, working as A&R in Hamburg, travelling in Brazil, living in Berlin: Judith Antkowiak is a child of... - [The state of indie in 2025](https://www.indie.berlin/the-state-of-indie-in-2025/): Quite a heading isn’t it? The state of indie in 2025. As if I have any idea what the state... - [Why Berlin is the Perfect Launchpad for Your Tech Startup](https://www.indie.berlin/why-berlin-is-the-perfect-launchpad-for-your-tech-startup/): In the ever-evolving landscape of global tech hubs, Berlin has emerged as a powerhouse that combines European charm with cutting-edge... - [The Cure: Songs Of A Lost World album review](https://www.indie.berlin/the-cure-songs-of-a-lost-world-album-review/): By Ameena Ceesay If asked to name the most iconic alternative bands, or even iconic bands of the past 40... - [1amDonny in interview: Say hallo to A man with a plan](https://www.indie.berlin/1amdonny-in-interview-say-hallo-to-a-man-with-a-plan/): indieRepublik: Tell us a little bit about your musical background 1amdonny: My background comes from a mix of being in... - [Nilipek.: A Liberation](https://www.indie.berlin/nilipek-a-liberation/): Nilipek. , a singer-songwriter from Turkey, released her fourth album, “Uydurdugumuz Oyunlarla,” in May 2024. Nilipek. is known for blending... - [Artists to Watch #2 (July)](https://www.indie.berlin/artists-to-watch-2-july/): With plenty more insanely good songs coming out from the indie landscape, we’ve listened carefully and found our darlings for... - [Aqualine in Interview - The Next Big UK Breakout band?](https://www.indie.berlin/aqualine-in-interview-the-next-big-uk-breakout-band/): Aqualine are a young indie band from Guildford, UK who have developed their own unique sound that mixes lofi rap,... - [Caged aFfair in interview](https://www.indie.berlin/caged-affair-in-interview/): Formed in mid-2023, Caged Affair is an alternative rock band based out of Asheville NC (USA). Led by Tyler Kemmerling,... - [Vinyl Floor in Interview](https://www.indie.berlin/vinyl-floor-in-interview/): Vinyl Floor are one of the smorgasbord of great Scandinavian bands (how do they do that? Is it the exorbitant... - [Interview with Bleu: Personal struggles & Pent-up human realizations](https://www.indie.berlin/interview-with-bleu-personal-struggles-pent-up-human-realizations/): Bleu is a musical artist who has created and inhabits his very own sonic landscape. Murky, swirling reverb-drenched sounds of... - [Indie Artists to watch #1 June '24](https://www.indie.berlin/indie-artists-to-watch-1-june-24/): Welcome to our brand new series where we feature new independent artists that have caught our ear. This is a... - [Interview with Italian indie band Tanz Akademie](https://www.indie.berlin/interview-with-italian-indie-band-tanz-akademie/): Tanz Akademie is a 6-piece indie / post-punk band from Piedmont in Italy. Having recorded their brand new debut album... - [Lola Young- This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway album review- Magnetic up and comer bares the high and (mainly) the lows](https://www.indie.berlin/lola-young-this-wasnt-meant-for-you-anyway-album-review-magnetic-up-and-comer-bares-the-high-and-mainly-the-lows/): Review by Ameena Ceesay Singer- songwriter Lola Young has been on the incline since debuting in 2019; made remarkable considering... - [Almost Twins in Interview](https://www.indie.berlin/almost-twins-in-interview/): Almost Twins is an indiefolk act from Leipzig based around their singer and songwriter Max Grüner who not only looks... - [Lucidez in interview - Ab Jetzt Bin Ich Laut](https://www.indie.berlin/lucidez-in-interview/): Lucidez is a singer/songwriter from Bernau near Berlin. Over the last 8 years she has composed and sung her own... - [Ab Jetzt bin Ich Laut - Lucidez im Interview](https://www.indie.berlin/ab-jetzt-bin-ich-laut-lucidez-im-interview/): Lucidez ist eine Singer-Songwriterin aus Bernau bei Berlin. In den letzten 8 Jahren hat sie ihre eigenen Songs komponiert und... - [abracadabra - Guess who's back](https://www.indie.berlin/abracadabra-guess-whos-back/): There’s a lot of good things and a lot of bad things that you can say about Eminem aka Slim... - [abracadabra - Rate mal, wer zurück ist](https://www.indie.berlin/abracadabra-rate-mal-wer-zuruck-ist/): Es gibt eine Menge guter und schlechter Dinge, die man über Eminem alias Slim Shady sagen kann, und ich muss... - [Lola Young new single Messy out today](https://www.indie.berlin/lola-young-new-single-messy-out-today/): It’s always a supreme pleasure to listen to a new Lola Young single, and this one’s no different in that... - [Coma 54 get melodious with new release 'Flow'](https://www.indie.berlin/coma-54-get-melodious-with-new-release-flow/): COMA 54, the Irish-born, Berlin-based band who insist that they’re grunge, come back with more heavy guitars mixed with finely... - [Twenty One Pilots Clancy album review: If it ain’t broke….](https://www.indie.berlin/twenty-one-pilots-clancy-album-review-if-it-aint-broke/): Review By Ameena Ceesay With new singles sprinkled throughout the year, the anticipation for a new album from this alt... - [Billie Eilish new album out now](https://www.indie.berlin/billie-eilish-new-album-out-now/): Third Billie Eilish album Hit Me Hard And Soft came out this week with no pre-singles. Spoiler: we love it.... - [Noah And The Loners issue an ode to punk’s past and present, for better (and) for worse.](https://www.indie.berlin/noah-and-the-loners-issue-an-ode-to-punks-past-and-present-for-better-and-for-worse/): Teen (yes, teen) Brit rockers Noah And The Loners have brought out their debut EP, Desolate Warning, five songs brimming... - [Imagine dragons ft J Balvin 'Eyes Closed' review- ein Pseudo-Dance-Pop-Track zum Mitklatschen](https://www.indie.berlin/imagine-dragons-ft-j-balvin-eyes-closed-review-ein-pseudo-dance-pop-track-zum-mitklatschen/): Trotz ihres polarisierenden Rufs ist der unmittelbare Popularitätsanstieg des Electronic-Rock-Aushängeschilds Imagine Dragons nicht zu unterschätzen, der auf das 2012 erschienene... - [Perfectly put together: Rapture by Coma 54](https://www.indie.berlin/perfectly-put-together-rapture-by-coma-54/): The new song from indie grunge band COMA 54 takes all of fifteen seconds to establish their credentials as well... - [New single Elysées from indie newcomers Bonheur](https://www.indie.berlin/new-single-elysees-from-indie-newcomers-bonheur/): Elysées, the latest single from up and coming indie band Bonheur, comes as a surprise. From this group of young... - [Introducing Daria, a Ukrainian perfomer: "To reach every heart with what I do - that's my big goal"](https://www.indie.berlin/introducing-daria-a-ukrainian-performer-to-reach-every-heart-with-what-i-do-thats-my-big-goal/): A YOUNG PERFORMER FROM ODESA, UKRAINE, CONTACTED US BECAUSE SHE WAS ABOUT TO RELEASE HER DEBUT DANCE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.... - ["My House Is Not A Home"-d4vd](https://www.indie.berlin/my-house-is-not-a-home-d4vd/): “A novel is a mirror walking along a main road. ” — Stendhal ———————————————————————————————————— Before I start, I cannot believe... - [Is it still folk? Lotta St. Joan releases new album](https://www.indie.berlin/is-it-still-folk-lotta-st-joan-releases-new-album/): Lotta St. Joan, the Berlin-based folk singer/songwriter who’s been garnering positive reviews and slow nods of the head from bearded... - [Cigarettes after Sex-Tejano blue](https://www.indie.berlin/cigarettes-after-sex-tejano-blue/): Cigarettes After Sex has unveiled their upcoming album, titled “X’s,” set for release on July 12th. The lead single, “Tejano... - [are you in the mood for a Blue Raspberry?](https://www.indie.berlin/are-you-in-the-mood-for-a-blue-raspberry/): Katy Kirby, an indie artist and singer/songwriter from Texas, is special for her soulful voice and lyrics. Katy kirby’s latest... - [New album of Roaring IDLES--TANGK](https://www.indie.berlin/new-album-of-roaring-idles-tangk/): On their fifth album, the British rock band “IDLES” collaborates with producers Nigel Godrich and Kenny Beats to transition towards... - ["Lives Outgrown"-first solo by BETH GIBBONS](https://www.indie.berlin/lives-outgrown-first-solo-by-beth-gibbons/): “Lives Outgrown,” the first solo album of British singer Beth Gibbons in over 20 years, is scheduled for release by... - [Apocalyptic revelry “Prelude To Ecstasy”](https://www.indie.berlin/apocalyptic-revelry-prelude-to-ecstasy/): The Last Dinner Party is a British indie rock and baroque pop band comprising five members: Abigail Morris (vocals), Georgia... - [“The Stabal Sessions” A letter to my love](https://www.indie.berlin/the-stabal-sessions-a-letter-to-my-love/): Lucy Kitchen is a UK singer/songwriter, known for her haunting folk sound; undoubtedly, “The Stabal Sessions” represents a continuous chapter... - [There it is! Oxford drama coming back with "The leader"](https://www.indie.berlin/there-it-is-oxford-drama-coming-back-with-the-leader/): Oxford Drama is a Wroclaw-based indie pop band. Comprised of members Małgorzata Dryjańska and Marcin Mrówka, their music is often... - [Another sad song-jupiter flynn](https://www.indie.berlin/another-sad-song-jupiter-flynn/): Jupiter Flynn is an Amsterdam-born singer and songwriter. She began composing short songs at an early age. She has lived... - [post-punk Masterpiece: Blueprints by Labasheeda ](https://www.indie.berlin/post-punk-masterpiece-blueprints-by-labasheeda/): Labasheeda, the Amsterdam-based band, emerges as a distinct voice within the realms of art rock, noise, and post-punk. Their sound... - [Kim Gordon-Bye Bye: The Queen is back](https://www.indie.berlin/kim-gordon-bye-bye-the-queen-is-back/): Kim Gordon, the bassist, guitarist, and vocalist, has long been a pioneer and rule-breaker in the music scene. Beyond music,... # # Detailed Content ## Pages - Published: 2026-07-26 - Modified: 2026-07-26 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/cookie-policy/ With this cookie policy, we would like to explain what cookies and cookie-like technologies are, how we and other service provider use them on this website, what information they collect, for how long and for what purposes we use them. Table of contentsController of the websiteAddition to the privacy policyWhat are cookies and similar technologies? What is the legal basis for setting/reading cookies? What rights does the website visitor have? How to manage cookies in a browser? What types of cookies exist? Who can set cookies on this website? Which cookies are used on this website? Controller of the websiteProvider: indie. berlin, United KingdomEmail: noelmauricemail@gmail. comAddition to the privacy policyThis cookie policy is a supplement to this website's privacy policy. 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" - Published: 2026-04-06 - Modified: 2026-04-06 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/order-failed/ Your transaction failed, please try again or contact support. - Published: 2026-04-06 - Modified: 2026-04-06 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/finding-friends/ jQuery UI Theme no jQuery UI Base Black Tie Blitzer Cupertino Dark Hive Dot Luv Eggplant Excite Bike Flick Hot Sneaks Humanity Le Frog Mint Choc Overcast Pepper Grinder Redmond Smoothness South Street Start Sunny Swanky Purse Trontastic UI darkness UI lightness Vader Collapsible Form Yes No - Published: 2026-04-06 - Modified: 2026-04-06 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/log-in/ You are already logged in. - Published: 2026-04-06 - Modified: 2026-04-06 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/sign-up/ You are already registered. - Published: 2026-04-06 - Modified: 2026-04-06 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/checkout/ Your basket is currently empty. 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First Name *Email Address *Phone NumberWhat Kind of EventMessage0 / 180 SubmitEdit form - Published: 2026-02-27 - Modified: 2026-03-04 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/lyrics/ Valerie Well sometimes I go out by myselfAnd I look across the waterAnd I think of all the things, what you're doingAnd in my head I paint a picture 'Cause since I've come on homeWell my body's been a messAnd I've missed your ginger hairAnd the way you like to dressWon't you come on overStop making a fool out of meWhy don't you come on over, Valerie? ValerieValerieValerie Did you have to go to jailPut your house on up for sale, did you get a good lawyer? I hope you didn't catch a tanI hope you'll find the right man who'll fix it for yaAre you shopping anywhereChanged the color of your hair, are you busy? And did you have to pay that fineThat you were dodging all the time, are you still dizzy? Since I've come on homeWell my body's been a messAnd I've missed your ginger hairAnd the way you like to dressWon't you come on over? Stop making a fool out of meWhy don't you come on over, Valerie? ValerieValerieValerie Well sometimes I go out by myselfAnd I look across the waterAnd I think of all the things, what you're doingAnd in my head I paint a picture Since I've come on homeWell my body's been a messAnd I've missed your ginger hairAnd the way you like to dressWon't you come on over? Stop making a fool out of meWhy don't you come on over, Valerie? ValerieValerieValerieValerieValerieValerieValerieValerie Why don't you come on over, Valerie? I Try Games,... - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-01-15 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/sample-page/ This is an example page. It's different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this: Hi there! I'm a bike messenger by day, aspiring actor by night, and this is my website. I live in Los Angeles, have a great dog named Jack, and I like piña coladas. (And gettin' caught in the rain. ) ... or something like this: The XYZ Doohickey Company was founded in 1971, and has been providing quality doohickeys to the public ever since. Located in Gotham City, XYZ employs over 2,000 people and does all kinds of awesome things for the Gotham community. As a new WordPress user, you should go to your dashboard to delete this page and create new pages for your content. Have fun! ## Posts - Published: 2026-08-01 - Modified: 2026-08-01 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/review-charli-xcx-music-fashion-film/ - Categories: Music Charli XCX – Music, Fashion, Film The pop provocateur turns muse into manifesto Charli XCX has spent the better part of a decade dismantling what mainstream pop is supposed to sound like. From her early mixtape run with Vroom Vroom and the era-defining Pop 2, through to the critically adored Crash in 2022 and the cultural supernova that was BRAT in 2024, Charlotte Emma Aitchison has consistently positioned herself at the bleeding edge of the genre. She is, by most reasonable measures, one of the most important pop artists of her generation — a songwriter, producer collaborator, and aesthetic architect who has shaped the sound of artists far beyond her own discography. Which makes Music, Fashion, Film such an interesting proposition. The track arrives wrapped in the kind of cool, self-aware iconography that has always been Charli's calling card. The title alone reads like a mood board — a triptych of the cultural pillars she has long orbited and influenced. And the song largely delivers on that promise. Sonically, Music, Fashion, Film sits in familiar Charli territory — sleek, hyper-produced synthetic pop with an undercurrent of genuine emotional weight. There is a sheen to the production that recalls the maximalist gloss of Crash while retaining the weirder, more textured instincts she honed through her PC Music collaborations. The verses move with a breezy, almost detached confidence before the chorus opens up into something more expansive and anthemic. It is the kind of pop song that feels effortless precisely because an... - Published: 2026-07-17 - Modified: 2026-07-17 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/wtf-politics-uk-the-end-of-the-starmer-project-and-the-manchester-man-walking-into-downing-street/ - Categories: politics - Tags: UK Two years is nothing in the life of a country and an eternity in the life of a government. Keir Starmer arrived at Number 10 in July 2024 with the biggest Labour majority in a generation and left it, almost to the week two years later, sounding like a man reading his own obituary out loud on the doorstep. By Monday, Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester turned MP for Makerfield, is expected to be sworn in as Britain's next Prime Minister, its seventh in a decade. That number alone tells you something about the state of the operation Burnham is inheriting. Starmer: competent abroad, hollowed out at home Keir Starmer UK gvt - Open Government Licence v 3. 0 Start with the case for the defence, because Starmer's allies have been making it loudly on his way out the door. On the world stage, the argument goes, he found a register that eluded most of his predecessors: steady, lawyerly, allergic to grandstanding. He got noticeably closer to France and Germany on defence, took a lead role in planning a postwar coalition force for Ukraine, and cast himself as a rare bridge between Washington and a nervous Europe during Donald Trump's second term. Supporters point to a genuine run of foreign policy competence, at a moment when NATO cohesion looked fragile and nobody in London was quite sure who Trump would be talking to on any given week. Critics, and there are plenty, argue this is a myth... - Published: 2026-07-05 - Modified: 2026-07-05 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/review-olivia-rodrigo-stupid-song/ - Categories: Music livia Rodrigo has never been particularly interested in playing it cool. Since her seismic debut single drivers license broke streaming records in early 2021 and announced her as one of pop's most emotionally unguarded voices, the Los Angeles-born singer-songwriter has built an entire career on the radical act of feeling things too much and writing about it anyway. Olivia Rodrigo – stupid song A raw nerve wrapped in a melody she can't shake Olivia Rodrigo has never been particularly interested in playing it cool. Since her seismic debut single drivers license broke streaming records in early 2021 and announced her as one of pop's most emotionally unguarded voices, the Los Angeles-born singer-songwriter has built an entire career on the radical act of feeling things too much and writing about it anyway. Her debut album SOUR (2021) was a generational statement, and its follow-up GUTS (2023) proved she wasn't a one-album wonder, sharpening her guitar-pop instincts with a restless, punk-flecked energy that drew favourable comparisons to early Taylor Swift and Paramore in their prime. stupid song arrives as a continuation of that emotional lineage, and it does not disappoint. Rodrigo leans into the kind of lyrical specificity that has always been her greatest weapon — the detail that shouldn't matter but absolutely does, the admission that feels embarrassing right up until the moment it becomes universal. The track captures that particular and maddening phenomenon of hearing a song that belongs to a former relationship and being instantly, helplessly transported back into it. It's a feeling most people would rather not examine too closely. Rodrigo examines it under a microscope. Sound and Structure Musically, stupid song sits comfortably in the alt-pop space Rodrigo has made her own, balancing acoustic vulnerability with moments of electric tension that threaten to boil over. The production is clean but never antiseptic, leaving room for... - Published: 2026-07-04 - Modified: 2026-07-05 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/rapk-rezension-der-neuen-single-mond/ - Categories: Hip-Hop, Music RAPK – „Mond“  RAPK richten den Blick nach oben und bleiben doch mit beiden Füßen in Kreuzberg: "Mond" ist eine neue Single, die weniger auf laute Rap-Gesten setzt als auf nächtliche Atmosphäre, Melancholie und dieses typische Großstadtgefühl zwischen Sehnsucht, Rückzug und Weitergehen. Die Single erschien am 19. Juni 2026 als einzelner Track. RAPK veröffentlichen den Song über Ventura Records, unter exklusiver Lizenz an Universal Music GmbH. RAPK - "Mond": Zwischen Asphalt und Nachthimmel RAPK haben schon immer ein gutes Gespür dafür gehabt, Berlin nicht als Kulisse, sondern als Zustand zu erzählen. Bei ihnen klingt die Stadt selten wie ein touristisches Postkartenmotiv; eher wie U-Bahn-Licht um halb drei, Späti-Vibe, Beton, Freundschaft und dieses diffuse Gefühl, dass man irgendwohin will, aber noch nicht ganz weiß, wohin. "Mond" fügt sich genau in diese Linie ein. Der Titel gibt die Richtung vor: Der Mond ist hier kein romantischer Deko-Gegenstand, sondern ein Gegenüber. Etwas, das über allem hängt, während unten das Leben weiterläuft. RAPK schaffen daraus einen Song, der nach Innenraum klingt - nach Gedanken, die man nachts lauter hört als tagsüber. Musikalisch wirkt "Mond" bewusst kompakt. Die knappe Form zwingt den Track dazu, schnell Atmosphäre aufzubauen, statt sich in großen Umwegen zu verlieren. Gerade das steht RAPK gut: Der Song kommt nicht mit Übererklärung, sondern mit Stimmung. Das macht ihn eher zu einem Moment als zu einer klassischen Single mit großem Refrain-Drama. Kein Pathos, sondern Nachtdruck Was "Mond" interessant macht, ist die Balance zwischen Verletzlichkeit und Haltung. RAPK klingen nicht weichgespült, aber auch nicht... - Published: 2026-06-25 - Modified: 2026-06-25 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/live-in-prachtwerk-2-7-molly-mogul-leon-the-singer/ - Categories: Concerts, Music Into crossovers between live music, experimental pop, performance, and queer stage art? Then don't miss this - a special concert featuring Molly Mogul and Leon the Singer - in this format somewhere between intimacy, theatre, and club aesthetics. In the organizer's words: When contemporary dance meets pop music. On July 2, emerging artists Léon the Singer and Molly Mogul come together at Prachtwerk for an evening where pop music, movement, and performance art collide. Drawing from their backgrounds in contemporary dance and multidisciplinary performance, both artists create work that extends beyond the traditional concert format. Through a blend of experimental pop, Y2K-inspired dance music, poetry, and theatrical storytelling, they invite audiences into worlds shaped by transformation, identity, and imagination. Molly Mogul’s genre-blurring songwriting and movement-driven performances meet Léon the Singer’s theatrical pop universe, where queer identity, drag, and transformation take center stage. Together, they offer a night that moves between intimacy and spectacle, inviting the audience not only to listen, but to experience. Expect an evening of live music, movement, and immersive performance from two artists redefining what contemporary pop can be. Molly Mogul is a bilingual singer, songwriter, and multidisciplinary performance artist whose work blurs the lines between contemporary pop, experimental soundscapes, and movement-driven storytelling. Rooted in both visual and performing arts, Molly’s creative identity has been shaped by a constantly shifting landscape — geographically, culturally, and artistically. Originally from a small village in Germany called Inning am Ammersee near Munich, Molly first found her voice in an unexpected... - Published: 2026-06-12 - Modified: 2026-06-24 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/stubborn-brilliant-broke-berlins-food-scene-has-the-same-soul-as-its-music-scene-and-the-same-problems/ - Categories: Food & Drink Walk into a Vietnamese spot in Lichtenberg run by the same family for thirty years, then into a Mexican-Japanese tasting counter operating out of what used to be a Neukölln laundromat, and you'll notice something: neither place looks like it was designed by a consultant. Neither needed to be. That's the whole point. Berlin's food scene, like its music scene, was never built top-down. No chain carved this city's culinary identity out of a marketing department's mood board - it was assembled, dish by dish, by first-generation cooks who kept making food the way their mothers made it, completely unbothered by the concept of "cuisine" as a marketable category. Still true in 2026, and still the city's single greatest asset. Kreuzberg does for döner and Markthalle Neun what it does for basement gigs - a dense, chaotic, communal scene where the line between "local institution" and "place nobody's written about yet" barely exists The Same Rooms, Different Soundtrack Anyone who's spent time around Berlin's DIY music venues will recognise the food scene's geography immediately. Kreuzberg does for döner and Markthalle Neun what it does for basement gigs - a dense, chaotic, communal scene where the line between "local institution" and "place nobody's written about yet" barely exists. Neukölln's old laundrette-turned-tasting-menu energy is the culinary equivalent of a techno label running out of a converted garage. Wedding, increasingly, is where the most interesting new flavours are showing up cheap and fast, the same way it's quietly become a refuge for bands... - Published: 2026-06-07 - Modified: 2026-06-13 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/berlins-startups-tackling-the-climate-crisis/ - Categories: Business, indieBiz, Startup Scene, startups Berlin and Germany have become especially strong climate-tech hubs because they combine a wealth of engineering talent, strong public and private funding (although there could always be more haha), and a market that really needs decarbonization. The most impressive startups aren't just “green” in branding; they're tackling serious emission sources in energy, buildings, industry, food, and carbon accounting. Berlin’s standout startups in June 2026 Enpal is one of Berlin’s clearest climate-tech scale-ups, focused on making solar adoption easier for homeowners through an integrated home-energy package that includes PV systems, storage, green electricity, and smart energy management. It has also attracted very large financing rounds, which signals both investor confidence and real market demand. Ecosia is another Berlin icon, but with a different model: it uses ad revenue to fund tree planting and broader climate action, while presenting search as a tool for environmental restoration rather than just information retrieval. What makes Ecosia especially notable is that it turns a mainstream consumer product into a climate-financing engine at global scale. Plan A stands out on the enterprise side because it helps companies measure, manage, and reduce carbon emissions through software rather than hardware. That matters because most large companies cannot decarbonize effectively without better carbon data, reporting, and target-setting tools. Zolar is important because it lowers friction in residential solar adoption by making the buying and installation process simpler for households. Berlin’s climate scene is full of software startups, but Zolar shows how much impact can come from removing barriers in... - Published: 2026-06-02 - Modified: 2026-06-02 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/review-lola-young-from-down-here/ - Categories: Music Lola Young – From Down Here A bruising ballad from one of British soul's most compelling young voices There are artists who arrive fully formed, and then there is Lola Young. The South London-born singer-songwriter has been quietly building one of the most intriguing careers in contemporary British music, and From Down Here stands as one of her most emotionally raw and arresting pieces of work to date. If you haven't been paying attention, now is the time to start. Young first began attracting serious attention with her 2021 debut EP Intro, followed by her acclaimed album Renaissance, which showcased a voice that felt simultaneously ancient and urgently modern. Raised on a diet of classic soul, jazz and British indie, she has carved out a niche that resists easy categorisation. She is not simply a neo-soul artist, nor a pop singer with acoustic pretensions. She is something altogether more complicated and more interesting. From Down Here leans into that complexity with devastating effect. Built around sparse piano chords and a vocal performance that barely contains its own grief, the track finds Young excavating feelings of powerlessness, longing, and quiet desperation. Her voice drops into its lower register with a weight that feels physical, as though the emotion itself has a gravitational pull. When she opens up into the upper reaches of her range, the contrast is genuinely breathtaking. Craft and Vulnerability in Equal Measure What separates Young from many of her contemporaries is her songwriting discipline. There is no excess... - Published: 2026-06-02 - Modified: 2026-06-02 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/berlinsindependent-foodie-scene-is-under-pressure-but-still-glowing/ - Categories: Food & Drink Nobody tells Berlin's food scene what to do. Not the Michelin inspectors, not the venture capital crowd, not the landlords jacking up rents for the fourth consecutive year. The city eats on its own terms - always has - and in 2026, that stubbornness remains both its greatest asset and its most pressing problem. Photo by Alex Gonzo courtesy of Pexels Here's the thing about Berlin's culinary identity: it was never built by corporations. No chain restaurant carved this city's food culture out of focus-grouped blandness. It got built by a Vietnamese family in Lichtenberg, a Turkish grandfather who's been running the same döner joint since reunification, a Mexican-Japanese chef from Neukölln who once served tasting menus out of a converted laundry room. Thousands of small, fiercely independent operators - shaped by decades of immigration, by the city's porous, anything-goes energy - created something that no investor deck could ever have predicted. Thousands of small, fiercely independent operators, shaped by decades of immigration and the city's porous, anything-goes energy And that foundation still holds. In 2026, you can eat more authentically diverse food in Berlin than almost anywhere else in Germany. First-generation cooks still running their own rooms, still cooking the way their mothers cooked, still unbothered by the concept of "cuisine tourism. " Berlin residents will tell you this constantly in online forums, with the quietly triumphant energy of people who know they live somewhere special. But let's not get too cosy about it. The economics are brutal right... - Published: 2026-06-02 - Modified: 2026-06-02 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/grit-in-the-capital-the-real-challenges-facing-international-startups-in-berlin/ - Categories: Business, indieBiz, Startup Scene, startups Berlin has long worn its cosmopolitan identity like a badge of honour. Cheap rents, a deep creative gene pool, and a "come as you are" culture turned a reunified city into one of Europe's most compelling startup destinations almost by accident. Today, Berlin's venture-backed startup ecosystem carries a total valuation of €169 billion, making it Germany's largest tech hub — a figure that would have been unimaginable two decades ago. The Startup Heatmap Europe 2025 ranks it second on the continent, behind only London, with founders consistently citing its "diverse and international" character as a key draw. Yet underneath the headline numbers, many international founders and small business owners find the daily reality more grinding than glamorous. The Bureaucracy Wall The single most consistent complaint is paperwork — and lots of it. Germany's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) Startup Report 2025 found that entrepreneurs are largely dissatisfied with the existing framework conditions, with excessive bureaucracy, slow procedures, and complex regulations cited as key barriers to innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. For non-German speakers, the friction compounds fast. Bank accounts, trade registrations, tax numbers, and Anmeldung certificates pile up before a single euro of revenue has been earned. The DIHK's call for a "genuine one-stop-shop approach" and rapid digital processing remains a work in progress. The Talent Tug-of-War Hiring is the other persistent headache. Personnel planning and recruitment ranks among the top five challenges for 21% of Berlin startups, and simplifying the recruitment of foreign specialists is considered a key lever... - Published: 2026-02-09 - Modified: 2026-02-14 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/berlin-short-film-festival-at-babylon-amazing-shorts-iconic-venue/ - Categories: Awards, Festivals, Music - Tags: Babylon Cinema Berlin, Berlin cultural events, Berlin film events, Berlin Independent Film Festival, Berlin Short Film Festival, Claudine Biswas-MacKenzie, independent film festival, indie Berlin, indie.Berlin, indieBelrin, international film festival Berlin, short film competition, short film reviews My entrance to the Babylon was as always, a historic and nostalgic experience. I don’t come to the Babylon often, but every time I enter into this legendary cinema, I feel as if I’m traveling back in time. The location and façade of the Babylon evoke greatness and history, while the interior design preserves the classy style of its era. "Every time I enter into this legendary cinema, I feel as if I'm traveling back in time. " The foyer of the Babylon feels simple yet thoughtfully designed. Its black-and-white sunburst patterned floor invites you to take a seat and wait for your movie to begin. Once I collected my ticket, grabbed a bag of salty popcorn (which I accidentally threw on the floor, sorry Babylon staff! ), and entered the theater, I immediately noticed the mixed audience. Filmmakers and actors from all over the world had gathered for the festival, and many of the films were world premieres. Director Bruce Evans of the short film “Go! ” had traveled all the way from L. A. to attend the Friday screening of his film. After sitting down, I noticed a group of Germans who seemed particularly excited. Their energy was contagious, I was getting excited too and couldn’t wait for the event to start (especially since I was already finishing what was left of my popcorn, haha). The Berlin Short Film Festival has attracted filmmakers and audiences from around the world for 15 years and is held twice a year.... - Published: 2026-02-06 - Modified: 2026-02-07 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/bandcamp-bans-ai-songs-brings-back-bandcamp-fridays/ - Categories: Artist Support, Music, Music Business Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... Bandcamp Takes a Stand: Putting Human Creativity First - plus Bandcamp Fridays! While Bandcamp looks ahead to an expanded 2026 schedule, the platform is also clarifying where it stands on one of the music industry's most contentious emerging issues: artificial intelligence. In a statement released today, Bandcamp articulated its mission in no uncertain terms: "to help spread the healing power of music by building a community where artists thrive through the direct support of their fans. " Central to that mission is a belief that music represents something far deeper than a consumable product—it's part of an ongoing human cultural dialogue stretching back before written language itself. To protect that dialogue, Bandcamp has announced a clear policy on generative AI in music and audio: Music and audio generated wholly or substantially by AI is not permitted on the platform. Additionally, any use of AI tools to impersonate other artists or styles is strictly prohibited, aligning with existing policies against impersonation and intellectual property infringement. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=JnbEYS_2BqM&t=10s The platform is empowering its community to help enforce these guidelines, encouraging users to report any music that appears to be AI-generated. Bandcamp reserves the right to remove content suspected of being created by artificial intelligence. "With this policy, we're putting human creativity first," the statement reads, acknowledging that the generative AI landscape is rapidly evolving and promising to communicate any policy updates as the space develops. For a platform built on the principle... - Published: 2026-02-05 - Modified: 2026-02-06 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/sold-out-grauzone-festival-2026-takes-over-den-haag-this-weekend/ - Categories: Festivals, Music - Tags: alternative music festival Netherlands, dark wave festival, Den Haag music festival, Grauzone Den Haag, Grauzone Festival 2026, indie music festival Europe, post-punk festival Netherlands, The Hague events February 2026, Twin Tribes live, underground music festival Europe Grauzone, one of Europe's most acclaimed gatherings focusing on the connection between film, music, and art, returns for 3 days to Den Haag from February 6th to February 8th! As usual, paying special attention to young/emerging talents as well as more established voices in the scene. Let's set the stage: Den Haag, NL, blue banners reading "Grauzone Festival" scattered around the city center, hanging from the facades of well-known music venues, cafes, and more; the main venue being Paard. "Graustad," Grauzone's FREE city program, kicks off on February 5th with performances from Nürnberg (BY), Avishag C. Rodrigues (US), and Nuxx (US). There are also a few Graustad events on Saturday, so keep an eye out! The official festival opening is on Friday February 6th, 15:30 at The Grey Space in the Middle. From Graurobics, a festival warm-up class with dancer & performer Angel Spiders set to italo disco, to progressive performances (Graukunst) exploring the connection between human and machine, such as Hreyfð by Sól Ey, to film screenings like Electronic Body Movie (the first documentary ever to dive deep into the history and rediscovery of E. B. M. ), to live performances from acclaimed post-punk bands such as Twin Tribes (US) and local bands like the noise-rock act Grote Geelstaart (NL)—the festival offers something for almost everyone! https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=stIa5Sy2In8 Since 2021 food offerings from Grauzone are completely vegan, aiding in their Greenzone approach to sustainability. This year's food partners are Karma Kabab, a locally sourced company specializing in... - Published: 2026-02-05 - Modified: 2026-02-09 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/the-14th-berlin-short-film-festival-at-babylon-this-weekend/ - Categories: Awards, Festivals, Music - Tags: Babylon Berlin, Babylon Cinema Berlin, Babylon Mitte movie theater, Berlin cinema events, Berlin film events February 2026, Berlin Short Film Festival 2026, female directors film festival, IMDB eligible film festival, independent short films Berlin, international short film competition, short film festival Germany 14th Berlin Short Film Festival / 26 films, 2 days, 1 venue / 6-7 February 2026 in Berlin Venue: Babylon Cinema We Love Cinema! From the 6th to 8th February, the 14th edition of the Berlin Short Film Festival will take place at the Babylon Berlin Cinema. Opened in 1929 opposite the Volksbühne theater, Babylon is Berlin’s only municipal cinema and one of the oldest movie theaters still in operation in the capital. Its historic setting in the heart of the city provides the perfect backdrop for a celebration of short-form cinema. ! GET YOUR BSFF TICKETS HERE! This year’s festival brings together 26 short films over two days, showcasing a wide spectrum of genres, styles, and voices from filmmakers around the world. The festival supports female directors and diverse story telling. The award-winning films are eligible for listing in the prestigious Internet Movie Database (IMDB). All films will be screened in English or with English subtitles. Themes of friendship, summer days, joy, freedom and the desire to live come together in the beautiful short “What else is there? ” directed by Nicolas J. Scatamacchia. Shot with a nostalgic tone, the film gently enhances its existential dialogue and emotional depth. View the "What Else Is There? " Trailer HERE For those drawn to a darker, unmistakably Berlin mood, “Never My Love” marks Nicolo Grosso’s biggest project. The film explores intimacy, loneliness and male vulnerability through the lens of horror cinema, delivering an unsettling yet deeply personal experience. https://www. youtube. com/watch?... - Published: 2026-01-29 - Modified: 2026-01-29 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/the-one-sheet-your-music-careers-secret-weapon-that-takes-30-minutes-to-make/ - Categories: Artist Support, Music Business, Promo & PR - Tags: Artist CV, artist marketing, Gig booking, How to guide, Indieberlin, Marketing for musicians, Music marketing, One-Sheet Hey there, fellow music makers! This week, we're diving into something that might seem mundane but is absolutely crucial for your DIY music career: creating a killer one-sheet. Think of it as your musical resume, but cooler and without the corporate jargon. Download as PDF +++ Welcome to the first in our weekly series on How to Move Up in the Music World - out every Wednesday! +++ I know what you're thinking: "I just want to make music, not marketing materials. " Trust me, I get it. When I started out, I thought my songs would speak for themselves too. But here's the reality: venue bookers, playlist curators, and potential collaborators are busy people who need to quickly understand who you are and why they should care about your music. It's nothing personal, just the business. +++ Pro tip: Download this article as a PDF, print it out and keep it in a folder where you can build up a collection of music business tips and workbooks - from indie. berlin or elsewhere. Or download it and keep it in a folder on your computer (but don't forget to look at it! ) +++ "Your one-sheet is your musical elevator pitch in document form. " What Exactly Is a One-Sheet? A one-sheet is exactly what it sounds like: a single page that captures the essence of you as an artist. It's your musical elevator pitch in document form. And the good news? You don't need fancy design skills or... - Published: 2026-01-29 - Modified: 2026-06-14 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/british-shorts-retrospective-event-review-german-premiere-of-scalaat-sputnik-kino/ - Categories: Awards, Festivals - Tags: alternative cinema Berlin, Berlin film festival, British Shorts, British Shorts Berlin 2026, cult cinema documentary, DIY venues Berlin, Independent Cinema, King's Cross Scala film, Scala cinema documentary, Scala!!!, Sputnik Kino events, Thatcher era cinema “The Scala had magic. It was like joining a club – a very secret club, like a biker gang or something ... they could show films uncut because they had memberships, well that’s insane! It’s like they were a country club for criminals and lunatics and people that were high ... which is a good way to see movies. ” - John Waters https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=jovQuVxS2hk After climbing 5 flights of stairs, with a sign saying "gleich geschafft! " ("almost made it! ") encouraging me somewhere around floor 4, I emerged into a world painted red. A stark contrast to the rather sterile white of the staircase, almost signaling the energetic lifeforce of Sputnik Kino. Ducking behind hanging red curtains, I quickly collected my ticket and a glass of wine from the very friendly staff member at the ticket counter. The room was dripping in red furnishings, but with a slightly unpolished look that I simply love about small, independent venues like these. Quite fitting for the "Scala! ! ! " showing. Promotional flyers for the British Shorts event lined the walls and counters; I found myself idly reading some film information and bathing in the warm, yellow light of the room while waiting for the show's call time. Time blurred as the chatter of those around me overlapped; British English, American English, German, Spanish, a few other languages I couldn't quite put my finger on. Very Berlin, very multicultural, and presumably just the kind of crowd normally attending... - Published: 2025-11-18 - Modified: 2025-11-19 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/queen-quail-finding-a-self-in-the-static/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews, New Music There’s a particular kind of artist who arrives not with bombast but with a quiet gravitational pull — someone whose work doesn’t shout its importance but makes you lean in, tilt your head, and listen. Queen Quail, the Berlin-via-Milwaukee indie-folk project of singer-songwriter Kirstin Edwards, is exactly that kind of presence. Her music sits in the lineage of Phoebe Bridgers, Adrianne Lenker, and Squirrel Flower — but she isn't just emulating her influences. Instead, she builds a sonic world of fragile contradictions: intimate yet expansive, cerebral yet deeply emotional, the kind of music that feels like it was written in the small hours but still glows with a strange, persistent hope. Her debut EP Narcissus (out November 21), produced by David Thornton and mastered by Huntley Miller (Bon Iver, Sylvan Esso), is the culmination of years of obsessive bedroom writing — sessions born in the emotional vacuum of the pandemic and later shaped by philosophy books, unstable relationships, and an uncanny sense of coming of age a little too late. It’s a record about the strange task of becoming oneself when the world won’t stop shifting. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=82yBRaLoezE 'Last Night': A Quiet Reckoning with Being Alive 'Last Night', Queen Quail’s first official single, is a gently gripping introduction to her universe. Built around a warm, optimistic guitar riff, the track feels like a soft spotlight on the uncomfortable truth of simply existing in a body. She examines mortality with the same matter-of-fact tenderness Adrianne Lenker brings to her... - Published: 2025-11-14 - Modified: 2025-11-17 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/video-premiere-bad-instinct-by-charlie-risso/ - Categories: Music, Music Video - Tags: Bad Instinct, Charlie Risso, Indieberlin, pop, Single, Video Premiere Psychedelic, pulsating, and sparkling: First Single from the promising new album (spring 2026) from the exceptional Italian artist Charlie Risso https://youtu. be/XsU1K_r5LQM? si=44DXINUiNSKl-PsI Charlie Risso takes us on a journey to a hypnotic dreamland between light and shadow on her new single “Bad Instinct”. Risso creates a unique sound that blends the surreal worlds of David Lynch, the delicate minimalism of Marissa Nadler, the dark introspection of Chelsea Wolfe, the dreamy vibes of Lana Del Rey, and the floating beauty of Hope Sandoval from Mazzy Star. In the mesmerizing black-and-white video by award-winning director Marco Pellegrino, the search for a place of silence where one can contemplate the world far away from noise, crises, and conflicts unfolds complementarily amid dreamlike landscapes and floating horizons. Charlie Risso creates such a special place with her music. Highly recommended by Indie. Berlin -> website / spotify - Published: 2025-11-07 - Modified: 2025-11-07 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/indigo-de-souza-drops-emotionally-charged-indie-pop-album-precipice/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews Indigo De Souza Takes Us to the Edge with Her Soul-Stirring New Album 'Precipice' In a music landscape cluttered with algorithmic beats and AI-generated lyrics, Indigo De Souza reminds us what it means to create art that actually makes you feel something. The Asheville-based indie darling has just dropped 'Precipice,' an album that does exactly what its name suggests – dangles us over the edge of raw emotion while somehow making us tap our feet at the same time. With its synth-laced soundscapes and heart-on-sleeve lyrics, this record might just be your emotional salvation this summer. The Evolution of Indigo: From Garage Rock to Synth-Pop Sophistication If you've been following Indigo's journey since her 2018 debut 'I Love My Mom,' you'll know she's been steadily expanding her sonic palette. 'Precipice' represents her most ambitious leap yet, trading some of her earlier garage rock grit for a more expansive, synth-driven sound without sacrificing an ounce of authenticity. As music critic Laura Snapes of The Guardian notes, "De Souza has a remarkable ability to evolve her sound while keeping her emotional fingerprints all over the work. It's like watching someone try on new outfits while maintaining that unmistakable walk. " The Asheville, North Carolina native brings her small-town introspection to increasingly sophisticated arrangements. Tracks like the album opener "Magnetic Force" set the tone with pulsating synths that feel both nostalgic and forward-thinking – imagine if Phoebe Bridgers discovered a dusty Roland Jupiter-8 in her grandma's attic. Emotional Depth in the Age of... - Published: 2025-11-07 - Modified: 2025-11-07 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/two-nights-of-music-twenty-five-concerts-one-ticket-win-it-here/ - Categories: Music From the 11th to the 13th November Berlin's favourite music combined convention/festival is on again. Yup, next week Tuesday-Thursday you can drench yourself in brand new up-and-coming music, handpicked by a bunch of people who do handpicking in their sleep. Not only though. That would be weird. +++ Win tickets here! +++ Listen to Berlin: Awards Show 11th @ Kulturbrauerei ... is the institution that's been running for a number of years now, with one mission: to shine a light on the best new artists and bands coming up from the streets of Berlin. And now with a special 'yoof' section, The award ceremony takes place on November 11, 2025, at the Kesselhaus in the Kulturbrauerei – acting as the festive kick-off to the Most Wanted: Music 2025 convention and the second edition of the LISTEN TO BERLIN: YOUTH conference for young talent. Three formats, one attitude: music as a place for exchange, visibility, and questions about the future. Nominees include Charlotte Colace, Brenda Blitz and Yetundey - all bright lights on the independent Berlin music scene. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=lXl-nUn_twI Listen to Berlin: Youth Showcase 12th @ Frannz Club And to make sure that young people coming onto the scene get a look in too, on the 12th at Frannz Club (also in the Kulturbrauerei) you'll be able to catch all the newest yoof acts, like: Liyo Cassiopeia Rüya Sector 5 Sapphire Dead Headz https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=10oZLUDwRks Most Wanted: Music Live - 12-13th @ various venues (think Kulturbrauerei)... - Published: 2025-11-07 - Modified: 2025-11-07 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/marketing-for-musicians-how-to-tiktok/ - Categories: Music, Music Business DIY Music Promo: Making TikTok Work for You (Without Feeling Fake) Hey indie artists! This week, we're diving into the wild world of TikTok marketing. I know, I know—another platform to master, right? But here's the thing: TikTok has completely changed the game for independent musicians. Those 15-60 second clips have launched careers overnight, and unlike traditional routes, you don't need a label or massive budget to make waves. The catch? Finding a way to use it that feels authentic to you and your music. Why TikTok Actually Matters (Even If You're Skeptical) Let's address the elephant in the room: TikTok might seem like a playground for dance challenges and comedy skits rather than "serious" music. But the platform has evolved into a genuine music discovery powerhouse. Songs like "Heat Waves" by Glass Animals and "Drivers License" by Olivia Rodrigo blew up because of TikTok. Even smaller indie artists are finding their audience—sometimes years after a song's release. The algorithm is what makes TikTok different. Unlike Instagram or Facebook, where your content primarily reaches existing followers, TikTok can put your music in front of thousands of perfect strangers who might love your sound. Your potential reach is massive, regardless of your follower count. Finding Your Authentic TikTok Voice The biggest mistake musicians make on TikTok is trying to be someone they're not. If you're not naturally a comedian or dancer, don't force it! Here are some approaches that work without compromising your artistic identity: 1. Behind-the-scenes snippets Show the process... - Published: 2025-09-19 - Modified: 2025-11-28 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/new-lola-young-album-out-now/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews, New Music The day we've been waiting for has come... the wonderful Lola Young's brand new album I'm Only Fucking Myself is out today (sept 19th) and it's everything we could have hoped for. Lola Young is going from strength to strength; it's not that long ago that she was your classic bubbling-under might-be-the-next indie hit; then in leaps and bounds she turned into The-Secret-That-Everyone-Knows-About and now, with this album, she has arrived, properly, that big neon arrow pointing downwards, flashing and glitching above her head. Another doyen of the now famous BRIT School of Music... Lola Emily Mary Young, born in London in 2001, grew up in Beckenham. Her heritage is mixed—Jamaican-Chinese on her father's side, English through her mother—which gives her a rooted sense of identity that she's often reflected on quietly in interviews. From a young age she was drawn to music: piano, guitar, singing lessons as a child, and writing songs by her early teens. She attended the BRIT School in Croydon, where her craft deepened and she started performing more seriously, winning Open Mic UK at 15 with "Never Enough". +++ Check out Lola Young's brand new video single F**k Everyone +++ https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=9yibCNMOgFI In the years that followed school, she released EPs (Intro in 2019, Renaissance in 2020) and songs that showed a wide palette of influences: soul, indie pop, R&B, art-pop. She had modest success early on, critical attention, but nothing like the tidal wave she'd later face. The turning point was This... - Published: 2025-08-29 - Modified: 2025-08-29 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/feral-folk-festival-this-saturday/ - Categories: Concerts, Music - Tags: americana, berlin, folk If you're looking for something to do this weekend, and you're just aching for some real music with real people in a warm, happy atmosphere, guess what. It's time for the Feral Folk Festival. Any musician worth their salt in Berlin - and a bunch outside of it - will know the name of the Famous Gold Watch recording studios. Head honcho (and producer, engineer and extemely accomplished musician himself) has been running this recording studio complex out of a cellar in Creative City in Weissensee for probably around 10 years by now. Kiki Annette In this time he's redefined Berlin's musical landscape - together with his trusty team of music pros - from the bottom up. Without even saying anything about the stunning aesthetics of the place - made to look like an extra-stylish speakeasy and possibly the coolest places you're going to hang out in this year or next (woops, I mentioned it after all) - he's also set the studio(s) up with absolute top of the line equipment: and all while keeping the prices low enough for your average indie artist to still be able to afford it. Here's the link for info and tickets. Long story short, it's the Famous Gold Watch team that have come up with and enacted the Feral Folk Festival, as a way of showcasing the best of the indie/folk/handmade music - and musicians - that Berlin has to offer. Which is why you really, really shouldn't miss the Feral Folk Festiavl... - Published: 2025-08-28 - Modified: 2025-08-28 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/walter-mitty-and-his-makeshift-orchestra-drop-new-track-101-s-after-10-year-hiatus/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews, New Music Return of the Folk Punk Heroes: Walter Mitty and His Makeshift Orchestra Break Their 10-Year Silence Remember that band you fell head over heels for back in your flannel-wearing, coffee shop-dwelling college days? The one whose lyrics you scribbled in the margins of your philosophy textbooks? Well, dust off your vinyl player because Walter Mitty and His Makeshift Orchestra just crawled out of their decade-long hibernation cave with a fresh track that'll hit you right in the nostalgia feels. After leaving us hanging since 2014's Well Soon, these folk punk darlings have finally decided to grace our ears once more with "101 S" – and honestly, it was worth the wait. Frontman Dustin Hayes, who's been keeping busy with his electric side project Walter Etc. , is back at the helm of this scrappy, heart-on-sleeve revival that's got the indie music world buzzing. The Unexpected Comeback That's Breaking The Internet Let's be real – in the music industry, a decade might as well be a century. Bands disappear for a few years and return to find their fans have moved on to whatever TikTok is pushing this week. But Walter Mitty and His Makeshift Orchestra aren't just any band. As music journalist Steven Hyden once noted, "The best comebacks aren't just about nostalgia – they're about proving the music still matters in the present tense. " And that's exactly what Hayes and company have accomplished with "101 S" – a track that feels both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly current. The... - Published: 2025-08-28 - Modified: 2025-08-28 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/renee-rapps-synth-pop-sophomore-lp-bite-me-drops-august-1/ - Categories: Music, New Music Reneé Rapp Brings the Heat: 'BITE ME' Album Set to Sizzle This Summer Hold onto your headphones, folks! The queen of sass and synth is back with a vengeance. Reneé Rapp, everyone's favorite Regina George reincarnate, is dropping her sophomore album 'BITE ME' on August 1, and it's promising to be the soundtrack of our summer. Following the success of her 2023 debut 'Snow Angel,' Rapp isn't just dipping her toes in the musical waters anymore—she's making waves with a confident dive into synth-pop brilliance. Let's unwrap what makes this upcoming release so deliciously anticipated.   From Broadway to Billboard: Reneé's Meteoric Rise Unless you've been living under a rock (no judgment, rent prices are ridiculous these days), you'll know that Reneé Rapp has been absolutely smashing it. From her Broadway beginnings to becoming a silver screen sensation, her journey has been nothing short of spectacular. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=xkWQM3flsiY After reprising her iconic Broadway role as the acid-tongued Regina George in the 2024 'Mean Girls' film adaptation, Rapp proved she's not just a one-trick pony. Her transition from stage to studio has been seamless, with her authentic voice shining through both literally and figuratively. As music critic Annie Mac observes, "What makes Reneé Rapp fascinating is her ability to channel theatrical precision into pop vulnerability. She doesn't just perform songs—she inhabits them. " With 'BITE ME,' we're seeing an artist who isn't afraid to evolve. The 12-track synth-pop collection promises to showcase Rapp's growth since her debut, offering listeners... - Published: 2025-08-28 - Modified: 2025-08-28 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/new-german-governments-housing-playbook-rent-caps-tax-tweaks-building-blitz/ - Categories: politics Germany's Housing Revolution: Rent Caps, Tax Shake-ups & Building Bonanza Germany's property market is getting a serious makeover, folks! The new coalition government has rolled up its sleeves and is diving headfirst into the housing crisis with a three-pronged attack: extending rent controls, overhauling the tax system, and kickstarting a construction blitz. If you're renting, investing, or just plain curious about European housing policy (we see you, property nerds), this is one political playbook you'll want to keep tabs on. The Rent Cap Saga Continues Remember when rent caps were supposed to be a temporary fix? Well, they've now become Germany's long-term houseguest. The coalition government has extended rent controls for another four years in major urban hotspots, keeping a lid on new rental contracts at 10% above local comparables. As housing advocate Reiner Braun notes, "Rent controls aren't just about affordability—they're about preserving the social fabric of our cities. Without intervention, we risk turning our urban centers into exclusive playgrounds for the wealthy. " But landlords are crafty creatures, aren't they? They've been finding clever workarounds through index-linked contracts and furnished lettings. The government's caught on to these tricks and is now tightening the rules. No more loopholes, thank you very much! For tenants, this means more predictable housing costs in a market that's been anything but stable. For landlords and investors, it's another layer of regulation to navigate in an already complex landscape. But hey, nobody said the German property market was for the faint-hearted! Tax Reform: The... - Published: 2025-07-24 - Modified: 2025-08-28 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/berlins-cultural-scene-next-week-art-music-and-more-to-catch/ - Categories: Music Berlin's Cultural Scene Next Week: Art, Music, and More to Catch Ah, Berlin. The city where history and hedonism collide in a glorious explosion of creative energy. If you're fortunate enough to find yourself in this concrete playground next week, prepare for your cultural calendar to be absolutely rammed with options. The German capital is flexing its artistic muscles once again, serving up a smorgasbord of indie delights that would make even the most jaded hipster's heart skip a beat. As legendary Berlin-based music producer Ellen Allien once said, "Berlin is a city that never sleeps but always dreams. " And next week, those dreams are manifesting in a particularly vibrant array of cultural offerings. Let's dive into what's hot, what's happening, and what's absolutely unmissable on Berlin's eclectic scene. Sonic Adventures: Berlin's Music Scene Heats Up Berlin's reputation as an electronic music mecca is well-established, but next week's lineup demonstrates the city's impressive musical diversity. From the cavernous techno temples of Friedrichshain to the intimate jazz cellars of Kreuzberg, there's something for every auditory appetite. The legendary Berghain might get all the mainstream attention, but it's venues like Urban Spree and Badehaus that are showcasing the most innovative indie sounds next week. Urban Spree's "Noise & Narratives" series is bringing together local post-punk outfits with visiting bands from Copenhagen's thriving scene, creating what promises to be an electric cultural exchange. For vinyl enthusiasts, a pop-up record fair at Prinzessinnengarten offers a chance to dig through crates of obscure German... - Published: 2025-07-14 - Modified: 2025-07-14 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/feral-folk-festival-rides-again/ - Categories: Concerts, Festivals SECOND EDITION OF THE FERAL FOLK FESTIVAL – August 30, 2025 at the Freilichtbühne Weißensee Open-Air Stage in Berlin Following the great success of last year’s inaugural Feral Folk Festival, the event returns for a second edition on August 30, 2025, at Weißensee’s Freilichtbühne. A total of nine international singer-songwriters from Berlin’s folk and alternative scene will once again create the unique charm of this small but truly outstanding festival. In collaboration with the Weißensee-based music studio ’The Famous Gold Watch’, a carefully curated lineup of bands and Artists will take the stage, including: James Michael Rodgers. Kiki Annette, Daisy Blind Man, Elsdeer, Rufus Coates & Jess Smith, Roxy Rawson, Kilkelly, Robert John Hope, and Marla Moya. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=A9CSN-9htag This “... promising new discovery on the Berlin festival calendar” (schubladenfrei. com) is organized by British musicians Roxy Rawson and Cameron Laing. The festival aims to be a platform that amplifies the voices of outstanding folk and folk-adjacent Artists with an emphasis on FLINTA performers based in Berlin, showcasing their music to a wider audience. Both visitors and the media were thrilled by the festival’s debut, which was praised for “... showcasing the best of folk, folk-noir, indie, and independent music in Berlin. ” (indie. berlin) The renowned ‘Famous Gold Watch Studio’ is passionately committed to supporting and professionally developing underground Artists in Berlin, especially women and gender-diverse musicians. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=uHJk0bUUDVM The studio continues to back the festival, which originally emerged as part of the “Pop im Kiez” funded by Music Board Berlin. On... - Published: 2025-07-06 - Modified: 2025-07-06 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/palantir-the-us-govt-and-why-everyone-should-be-worried/ - Categories: Music It was an Instagram reel that stopped me scrolling and made me watch it again, incredulous although, sadly, unsurprised, at what was claimed to be the latest outrage perpetuated by the Trump regime. The claim? That Palantir, the all-too-powerful behemoth of a digital surveillance company, has been given unparalleled access to all records held by the US government on US citizens, with a brief to "de-silo" these records: from the IRS, the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defence. And that they were also sucking in all of the social media data on each US individual into this miasma of data too. So I googled, I plexed (the verb I've made up for searching on Perplexity - see, it's not only Trump who can make up words! ) and I newsguarded (... later).   The claim isn't 100% true, but that doesn't mean that it's not ultimately terrifying... The US government has indeed confirmed that Palantir is hired by the US government to "provide software platforms... that allow federal agencies to collect, organize, and analyze vast amounts of data from multiple sources. This technology is used by agencies such as (the above mentioned agencies). " (Perplexity) Although Palantir has been working for the US gvt for a while now (Democrats, I'm looking at you), "Palantir's role has expanded significantly under the Trump administration... it has been tasked with helping to break down data silos between agencies, enabling more seamless data sharing and... - Published: 2025-06-17 - Modified: 2025-09-02 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/sylmar-if-you-like-finest-indie-stoner-rock/ - Categories: Music, Music Video, New Music - Tags: Cincinnati, indie, New Music, rock, ROLA Music, Stoner, Sylmar, Tour Sylmar is an indie-rock stoner jazz quintet from Cincinnati taking the rock genre to the meat grinder. Through contagious hooks and crafty crescendos, Sylmar songwriting conflicts - all the while charming audiences with their increasingly popular feverish live performances. Five sweet men with loud guitars, dynamic vocals, loose dance moves, and rollercoaster rhythms: writing memorable guitar rock for the ADD generation. Jeff Buckley plus Queen divided by Radiohead equals Sylmar. They have spent the last six years touring all coasts of the United States. They will embark on their first European tour in support of their third full length LP, set to be released in the fall of 2025. TOUR 12. 11. Frischzelle Bessunger Knabenschule | Darmstadt14. 11. Terminus Saarbrücken | Saarbrücken21. 11. Kasseturm | Weimar22. 11. Galerie Fango | Cottbus28. 11. Loop | Wien29. 11. Lost Weekend | München check them out: Instagram Spotify NEW SINGLE+VIDEO: What unites Americans in 2025 besides the simultaneous distrust and reliance on big business? Bread. "White Bread" calls attention to the current state of America. Sylmar uses the symbol of "processed food" to advertise the decay of American ethos and its idealization of health, wealth and status, with a side of shredding guitar riffs. https://youtu. be/I6aXFux7kTk? si=qkEnfrrg9gc_VPe- - Published: 2025-06-10 - Modified: 2025-08-27 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/indie-music-gossip-whats-up-with-the-scenes-biggest-names-this-month/ - Categories: Music Indie Music Gossip: What's Up With the Scene's Biggest Names This Month? The indie music rumour mill is spinning faster than a vinyl on 45rpm this June, and honestly? We're living for it. From cryptic Instagram posts to whispers of secret gigs, the scene is absolutely buzzing with news that's got us all frantically refreshing our socials. Let's dive into what's happening with some of indie's most beloved artists and why you might want to clear your calendar for autumn. Sam Fender's Studio Secrets: New Album on the Horizon? North Shields' finest export Sam Fender has been suspiciously quiet on social media lately, and we now know why – he's been holed up in the studio working on what could be his third album. After the monumental success of "Seventeen Going Under," fans have been gagging for new material, and it looks like the wait might soon be over. According to Fender's recent Instagram story (which vanished faster than festival tickets), he's been "cooking up something special. " Industry insiders have spotted him entering various London studios with his trusted band in tow, and one particularly eagle-eyed fan caught a glimpse of a whiteboard with what appeared to be a track listing. As music journalist Laura Barton once noted, "Fender represents a rare thing in modern music – an artist who combines commercial appeal with genuine social conscience and authenticity. " This authenticity is precisely what has fans speculating about themes for the new album. Will he continue exploring working-class... - Published: 2025-06-10 - Modified: 2025-06-10 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/indie-gaming-news-the-latest-from-the-world-of-indie-computer-games-and-new-releases/ - Categories: Music Indie Gaming News: The Latest from the World of Indie Computer Games and New Releases In the vast ocean of video games, it's often the small, independent vessels that chart the most interesting courses. As we sail into June 2025, the indie gaming scene is absolutely popping off with creativity that would make even the most jaded gamer's heart skip a beat. From meticulously crafted pixel-art platformers that harken back to the golden age of gaming to narrative-driven adventures that could give Hollywood screenwriters a run for their money, indie developers are proving that sometimes the biggest ideas come in the smallest packages. As indie game developer Jonathan Blow once said, "The thing about indie games is that they can take risks that big-budget games can't afford to take. " And boy, are we seeing those risks pay off in spectacular fashion this month. Let's dive into what's making waves in the indie gaming world right now, shall we? The Indie Revolution: Why Small Studios Are Making Big Waves Gone are the days when "indie" meant "lower quality. " Today's independent developers are crafting experiences that often outshine their AAA counterparts in originality and emotional impact. While they might not have the marketing budgets to plaster advertisements across bus stops and YouTube pre-rolls, word-of-mouth has become the secret weapon of the indie scene. Steam, itch. io, and console digital storefronts have democratized game distribution, giving these creative powerhouses direct access to players. And players are responding with enthusiasm. According to... - Published: 2025-06-10 - Modified: 2025-06-10 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/new-indie-video-game-releases-whats-dropping-in-june-2025/ - Categories: Music New Indie Video Game Releases: What's Dropping in June 2025? While the gaming giants are busy polishing their next blockbusters with million-dollar marketing campaigns, something far more interesting is brewing in the shadows. June 2025 is shaping up to be an absolute banger for indie game enthusiasts, with a slew of creative titles ready to capture your imagination (and devour your free time). From solo developers coding in their bedrooms to plucky small teams pushing the boundaries of what games can be, the indie scene continues to be where the real innovation happens. Let's dive into what's coming and why you should be absolutely buzzing about these upcoming releases. The Indie Renaissance: Why Small Studios Are Stealing the Show The landscape of gaming has shifted dramatically over the past decade. What was once dominated by AAA studios is now a thriving ecosystem where indie developers regularly drop jaw-dropping experiences that outshine their big-budget counterparts. As game designer Jonathan Blow once noted, "The advantage of being independent is that you can take risks that big companies can't afford to take. " This philosophy is evident in June's lineup, where creativity trumps convention at every turn. The upcoming month features an eclectic mix that mainstream studios wouldn't dare attempt: a farming simulator where your crops develop sentience, a puzzle game that literally reads your emotions through your controller, and a retro-inspired adventure that seamlessly blends 8-bit aesthetics with modern game design. These aren't just games—they're love letters to the medium itself. https://youtube.... - Published: 2025-06-09 - Modified: 2025-06-12 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/sly-stone-dies-a-legend-passes/ - Categories: Music Sly Stone needs no introduction: It was said of the funk legend (by the music database AllMusic): "James Brown may have invented funk, but Sly Stone perfected it. " Sly Stone created "a series of euphoric yet politically charged records that proved a massive influence on artists of all musical and cultural backgrounds. "AllMusic A larger than life character who pretty much defined the funk sound through the late 60s and 70s, Sly Stone with his band The Family mixed RnB, soul and psychedelic rock to produce a sound like no other. The band also stood out because of its multiracial line-up - very rare at the time - and the fact that it drew in white and black audiences alike. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=WG_xmmllfFw Also worth noting is that The Family Stone's bass player Larry Graham is widely credited as having invented the bass slapping technique that became such an integral part of pop music (responsible for the entire career of Level 42, for example :)). Hits that have become classics from that time include Family Affair, Dance to the Music and I Want to Take You Higher. With their success however came personal problems, with massive drug use within the band causing growing problems. After their run of euphoric and genre-bending hits, the 70s saw them lose ground and focus - by the middle of the 70s the band had split up. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=5FR-whUUnXA Sly Stone, despite releasing a slew of solo tracks and albums, as... - Published: 2025-05-25 - Modified: 2025-08-28 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/fresh-indie-music-drops-may-2025s-must-listen-tracks-and-albums/ - Categories: New Music Fresh Indie Music Drops: May 2025's Must-Listen Tracks and Albums Hey music lovers! If your playlists are feeling a bit stale lately, you're in for a treat. May 2025 has blessed us with an incredible array of indie music that deserves your immediate attention. From ethereal electronic soundscapes to raw, emotional folk ballads, this month's releases offer something for every discerning listener who craves sounds beyond the mainstream. Electronic Innovations: Ghost Collective's Digital Revolution https://open. spotify. com/artist/5fdHncZd0cbMQ2ReFOToXs? si=ehA9siKyRHmhNOdb52cFgA The underground electronic scene is absolutely thriving right now, and Manchester's Ghost Collective is leading the charge with their sophomore album "Digital Wilderness. " This masterpiece seamlessly blends nostalgic 90s IDM with cutting-edge hyperpop elements, creating a sonic experience that's both familiar and refreshingly innovative. As renowned music critic Elena Roberts puts it, "Ghost Collective doesn't just create music; they craft digital ecosystems where beats and synths evolve organically, pulling listeners into a trance-like state of auditory bliss. " The album's standout tracks include the pulsating "Neural Networks" and the hauntingly beautiful "Vapor Memory" – both showcasing the group's ability to balance experimental sounds with accessible melodies. Bedroom Pop Evolution: Luna Ray's Emotional Debut https://open. spotify. com/artist/6x5QrRzgmNDnUQjswMavs6? si=XyncpJFZS-aY3jGJm90nkg Brooklyn-based artist Luna Ray has emerged from the bedroom pop scene with her debut EP "Midnight Conversations," and it's everything we didn't know we needed. Her vulnerable vocals layered over minimalist lo-fi beats create an intimate atmosphere that feels like a late-night heart-to-heart with your closest friend. The EP's title track is particularly noteworthy... - Published: 2025-05-16 - Modified: 2025-05-16 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/head-in-the-clouds-video-premiere-die-munchner-indierocker-digital-carbs-sind-zuruck/ - Categories: Music, Music Video, New Music - Tags: Alternative, Digital Carbs, indie, Munich Wir sind wirklich erfreut solch lässige Bands in Deutschland zu entdecken - Digital Carbs zünden erneut ein Feuerwerk und kündigen mit Head In The Clouds eine LP und Tourdaten für 2025 an. https://youtu. be/GtiXGifR4c8? si=GL59ViIiqiQeQS9U Songs zwischen Traum und Wirklichkeit, zwischen Intimität und Entfremdung, zwischen grauen Bergarbeiterstädten und einer Gesellschaft fett von digitalen Kohlenhydraten. Aus den solistischen Anfängen von Bassist und Sänger Johannes Rest heraus hat sich Digital Carbs zum Geheimtipp der Munchner Alt-Rock-Szene entwickelt. Mit einem Album und zwei EPs im Repertoire gönnte sich das Quartett aber auch 2025 keine Ruhe und steckte alle Energien in ein neues Album, welches im Herbst diesen Jahres erscheint. “Oh Hedonism” ist geprägt von den sich zuspitzenden Verhältnissen auf der Welt und einer zunehmend gespaltenen Gesellschaft. Zur bewährten “carbschen” Dystopie mischt sich diesmal jedoch ein radikaler Surrealismus. Ist es Tagträumerei oder Flucht vor der Realität, wenn die Fische gen Sonne fliegen und die Murmeltiere einen lebendig begraben? Abgrunde zu allen Seiten, aber wenigstens mit Blick auf leuchtende Werbetafeln. Zunächst bildschön verziert, werden die musikalischen Leinwände sobald im Wahn eingerissen. Es bleibt ein Auf und Ab, sowohl emotional als auch kompositorisch, was fur die Gruppe mittlerweile so etwas wie ein Markenzeichen ist. Digital Carbs ON TOUR 202524. 05. Fieberbrunn | Garagenrock28. 06. Bayern | Noise Of Hell Festival16. 10. Prag | Campus Hybernska17. 10. Wien | Kramladen18. 10. Graz | Music-House30. 10. Berlin | Badehaus31. 10. Hamburg | Stellwerk01. 11. Kopenhagen | Rahuset13. 11. München | Lost Weekend14. 11. Heilbron | Mobilat28. 11. Marburg... - Published: 2025-05-10 - Modified: 2025-05-10 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/hindsight-20-25-currents-by-tame-impala-2015/ - Categories: Music Reviews - Tags: indie, indie music An Anniversary retrospective  Happy (almost) 10th birthday to Currents. The 3rd studio album from Tame Impala and what’s widely considered a modern classic. But now, it’s been a decade. Is this still the case? Yes, nostalgia can lend a helping hand; even the most misunderstood or panned albums can become beloved if time allows it. But time is also susceptible to tainting an album, especially in the double digits. Some hold up. Some don’t. So does this particular album live up to its initial acclaim? THE TRACKS Kevin Parker’s schtick is his experimentation. This rings true behind the scenes as a jack-of-all-trades musician, and with the opening song/single, Let It Happen. Nearly 8 minutes long yet immediately gripping, mostly due to how it morphs within itself. From the opening synths to the chorus with the lone voice of Parker to the lengthy outro, which merges modulated vocals with all of the above and more layered onto itself. Sounds excessive, but this rollercoaster leaves you intrigued for where this journey will take you. https://open. spotify. com/album/79dL7FLiJFOO0EoehUHQBv? si=BruvOm3iRmuPwN9_qUI6xA "... it's Parker's genius that makes it a cut above the rest" The rest of the singles are more conventional, (they don’t include the tracks skipping like a faulty vinyl for a start), but they follow the same formula. Psych-pop/rock is what this album typically gets narrowed down to and applauded over and it’s there. Aesthetically. It has the vibe of a track like Strawberry Fields Forever without actually being Strawberry Fields Forever sonically.... - Published: 2025-04-17 - Modified: 2025-04-18 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/berlins-industrial-ruins-are-incubating-europes-most-ambitious-startups/ - Categories: Business, indieBiz, Startup Scene, startups The future of European tech is being forged in the skeleton of its industrial past. In Berlin's startup epicenters, century-old factories aren't just being preserved—they're being weaponized as catalysts for innovation. It's a transformation that could give Europe's largest economy an edge in the global race for tech dominance. At Factory Berlin, a sprawling 120,000-square-foot startup campus carved from a pre-war brewery, the ghosts of Germany's manufacturing prowess are everywhere. Massive steel beams, preserved from the building's industrial heyday, loom over clusters of entrepreneurs hunched over laptops. The old loading dock, where horse-drawn carriages once collected kegs of beer, now serves as an event space hosting AI workshops and blockchain seminars. It's a powerful metaphor for Berlin's evolution, but it's also a carefully calculated strategy. "We're not just preserving these spaces—we're hacking them," explains Marcus Weber, an architect who has helped convert seven industrial facilities into startup hubs across Berlin. "The physics of these buildings, the way they manage light, space, and human flow, was optimized for industrial innovation. We're reprogramming that DNA for digital innovation. " THE ARCHITECTURE OF INNOVATION The conversion of Berlin's industrial infrastructure into startup spaces isn't just architectural upcycling—it's spawning a distinctly European model of tech development. Unlike the hermetically sealed campuses of Silicon Valley or the steel-and-glass towers of London's fintech scene, Berlin's startup ecosystem is literally built on the foundations of industrial-era innovation. At The Barrel Yard, a former cooperage in Kreuzberg now home to 45 startups, the industrial heritage is more than... - Published: 2025-04-15 - Modified: 2026-06-02 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/indie-beer-now-thats-what-i-call-indie-1/ - Categories: Food & Drink - Tags: beer, independent, indie While we've spent countless years devoted to the concept, vibe and lifestyle of what we consider the indie approach to life, I have to admit this is a new one on me: indie beer. #MyBetterHalf (hereafter throughout this blog known as "an anonymous source"*) however, when I delightedly told her all about it while taking in her first coffee of the morning, was less impressed. "That's been around for ever. You've never heard of it? " This, I have to confess, took a little wind out of my sails, but not too much, because I was still ticking over with the genius of anyone who put together two of the things in life dear to my heart and very probably to yours: indie + beer. So now here's the thing: You will no doubt have heard of craft beer and craft breweries; but apparently the small and independent breweries (especially in the UK) for whom the name was invented, are one by one turning their back(s) on the name. Why you ask? Because it turns out that they have become victims of their own success, or at least the "craft beer" tag has become a victim of its own success. But first a very short history lesson: While indie / craft breweries have been around for a good while now, something happened in 2002 that went a long way to make the veritable explosion of this craft beer industry a done deal. Photo by Shivani G via Pexels Gordon Brown.... - Published: 2025-03-14 - Modified: 2025-03-14 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/retro-rnb-from-new-york-garth-live-at-lark-berlin-march-19th/ - Categories: Concerts, indieBerlin, Music, New Music - Tags: Album, berlin, Garth., Good Taste, Lark, ROLA Music, Tour https://youtu. be/EvQKzm_r_7I? si=u0hvW4wD3pnD1QfJ Garth. , a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter and visual producer, has quickly made a name for himself, amassing over 5 million streams on Spotify. A rare talent, Garth. ’s multifaceted studio projects are matched only by his electrifying live performances. Since his debut in 2018, he has commanded stages across North America and the UK, with highlights including Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theater, and Lincoln Center. He is now presenting fresh, electrifying tracks titled Good Taste and Rice n Peas, both singles from his highly anticipated album GOOD TASTE (out now) -> Spotify DON'T MISS - There will be a concert in Berlin march 19th at Lark - Tickets https://youtu. be/Z_DSc1C5lqw? si=XnjtAfI987b7k0rY Stay tuned for more updates on Garth’s upcoming European tour and follow him on social media for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes looks, and more -> WEBSITE - Published: 2025-02-17 - Modified: 2025-02-17 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/a-breath-of-fresh-air-judith-antkowiak-in-interview/ - Categories: music interview - Tags: Acoustic, chanson Born in Dresden, working as A&R in Hamburg, travelling in Brazil, living in Berlin: Judith Antkowiak is a child of the world. With her fresh energy and a purity of expression, with a remarkable voice and a nod and wink to the 1920 vibe, she has played in large venues and small, and leaves no heart unturned. Judith Antkowiak is live on 18th Feb 2025 in Neue Kammerspiele at their top secret Foyer Concerts, beloved by its insider scene, on the edge of Berlin. So we asked her some questions... Vulnerability and pure vocal power: on vocals and guitar, the Berlin-based chansonnier interprets poetic songs from different regions of the world: from French-language chansons and Brazilian music to jazzy English and classics with which German divas such as Hildegard Knef and Marlene Dietrich once shone. A musical journey with depth and humor. indieBerlin: Tell us a little bit about your musical background Judith Antkowiak: My mother being a classical conductor and music pedagogue, I grew up in a family where music played an essential role. In later years, I gained a lot of inspiration from genres like Jazz, Nueva Canción, and Fado. As from childhood on I had a great linguistic affinity, I soon dedicated myself to singing songs in different languages. indieBerlin: If your music was a movie, which genre would it be in? Judith: A French romance: full of poetry and magical landscapes, spiced up with a good dose of sensuality and humour. indieBerlin: What was the last... - Published: 2025-01-17 - Modified: 2025-01-17 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/the-state-of-indie-in-2025/ - Categories: Music Quite a heading isn't it? The state of indie in 2025. As if I have any idea what the state of indie is going to be. I mean, we're barely two weeks into the new year as I sit here and write. But I thought, the hell with it. Throw down the gauntlet. Ruffle some feathers. The state of indie in 2025 seems, to be honest, doing quite a lot better than the state of many other aspects of the world. Quite apart from the fact that (at least here in the northern hemisphere) it's bleedin' cold. January in the northern hemisphere: rainy, grey. Intermittent snow that doesn't stay. Still, no point complaining. As I said, indie is doing reasonably well, all things considered. While the US turns down its dark path of eager autocracy, while desert winds push the flames across Los Angeles, while Palestinians and Israelis pause for a moment and wonder if this might finally be over, while the Russians keep on pushing west metre by metre... Indie is coming up for air. When you need music to say something to you, mainstream pop just doesn't really cut it. It's fine, probably, when your head is bouncy and full of air and you can just hum bubblegum verses while sauntering along not caring about anything, but when the chips are down, it's indie that has the words, the sounds and the vibe that you need. In the spirit of this article which only just avoided being called... - Published: 2025-01-16 - Modified: 2026-07-05 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/why-berlin-is-the-perfect-launchpad-for-your-tech-startup/ - Categories: Business, indieBiz, Startup Scene, startups - Tags: berlin for startups, berlin for tech, berlin startup scene, why berlin In the ever-evolving landscape of global tech hubs, Berlin has emerged as a powerhouse that combines European charm with cutting-edge innovation. As we navigate through 2025, the German capital stands out as an ideal location for ambitious entrepreneurs looking to launch their tech startups. Here's why Berlin should be at the top of your list. A Thriving Tech Ecosystem Berlin's startup scene has matured significantly over the past decade, transforming from an emerging player to a established ecosystem that rivals other major tech hubs. The city's unique blend of history, creativity, and technical prowess has created a fertile ground for innovation. Success stories like N26, Delivery Hero, and HelloFresh have paved the way, showing that Berlin-born startups can achieve global success. Photo via pexels by Pixabay The Talent Advantage Perhaps Berlin's most compelling advantage is its vast pool of tech talent. The city has become a magnet for young, tech-savvy professionals from across Europe and beyond. A significant portion of these individuals work as freelancers, offering startups the flexibility to scale their teams up or down based on project needs. This gig economy approach helps young companies maintain lean operations while accessing top-tier talent. The multilingual nature of Berlin's tech workforce is another significant advantage. With English widely adopted as the working language in most startups, companies can build international teams without language barriers while maintaining easy access to German-speaking talent for local market penetration. Strategic Location and Infrastructure Berlin's position in the heart of Europe provides strategic advantages that... - Published: 2024-11-12 - Modified: 2024-11-12 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/the-cure-songs-of-a-lost-world-album-review/ - Categories: Music Reviews, New Music By Ameena Ceesay If asked to name the most iconic alternative bands, or even iconic bands of the past 40 years, The Cure would and should spring to mind. After 16 years, the goth pioneers return with a new album, and all anticipation is met with brilliance. THE SINGLES The first song and single off the album, Alone, immediately invokes similarities to probably the band's most quintessentially gothic album, Disintegration. From the lengthy instrumental intro, to the drone of the guitars. More specifically, it’s similar to Plainsong. But if it ain’t broke, so on and so forth. "It takes longer to grow on you compared to Plainsong, but when it does, the beauty of the track grows also. " Interestingly, gone are the fuzz of synths which emphasised the haunting, melancholic melody that invaded even the more lighthearted tracks such as Lovesong. Alone sounds a lot cleaner and almost optimistic solely by the keys- but are contrasted by the lyrics, which convey an optimism (a dream) erased to make way for a bitter reality. “The fire burned out to ash/And the stars grow dim with tears. ” It takes longer to grow on you compared to Plainsong, but when it does, the beauty of the track grows also. Robert Smith’s vocals have barely been tainted by Father Time, and the songwriting remains on point. The aspects that made the band so unique have carried through all these years later, and it’s astonishing to see. https://open. spotify. com/album/4wjxmqXnSQvBZWL3IbYngX? si=ZkVcoMaYSQe0FX6yHVj79w "To those... - Published: 2024-07-09 - Modified: 2024-07-09 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/1amdonny-in-interview-say-hallo-to-a-man-with-a-plan/ - Categories: Music indieRepublik: Tell us a little bit about your musical background 1amdonny: My background comes from a mix of being in a church choir and taking piano lessons as a kid. I didn't really do it for that long because I was more focused on basketball at the time. But once I realized I wasn't growing and that basketball wasn't going to be a route for me, music kind of popped up in front of me again, and the universe was like, "here you go. " My school built a studio, and I was in there almost every single day, writing songs for people. My dad even helped me as well. I was just writing for others because I didn't like my own voice. Then, when I realized I couldn’t rely on people to make music at the pace I wanted, I decided to just go for it and take it as seriously as possible. https://open. spotify. com/track/2cFLnk5YWLs0RLTLS8FieR? si=15e1a60bdf5f42a2 indieRepublik: How did you come up with the name 1amdonny? 1amdonny: My name was inspired by the fact that, as a kid, I would always be up late watching motivational videos when I was supposed to be sleeping. It's also a play on the phrase "I think, therefore I am. " I use that as a belief that since I exist, anything is possible. I shouldn’t be worried about any outcomes because arguably the most impossible thing being born in this specific timeline proves that I can do whatever I want. My... - Published: 2024-07-08 - Modified: 2024-07-08 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/nilipek-a-liberation/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews, New Music - Tags: indie artist, indie band, new album Nilipek. , a singer-songwriter from Turkey, released her fourth album, "Uydurdugumuz Oyunlarla," in May 2024. Nilipek. is known for blending complex emotions with poetic Turkish lyrics and her soft voice with minimalist, yet compelling arrangements. Her debut album, "Sabah," was one of the best albums of 2015. Since then, Nilipek. has continued to shape the Turkish alternative music scene with her unique arrangements and vocal style. The album consists of a total of 11 tracks and thousands of feelings: “Regretting, questioning, independence, lies, burning ... ” https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=mqHEJdQh1O4&t=16s Yalan Söyledik (We Lied) Yalan Söyledik (We Lied), the opening track of the album, captivates listeners with its postmodern, ballad-like tune. The second half of the song combines climaxes and whispers skillfully. One must admit that the language itself adds a fruitful layer to the song. The intermittent phrase, "yalan söyledik, yalan söyledik," meaning "lied to you," becomes a spell, gyrating in your mind. https://open. spotify. com/album/3ZaHmqSxX77ZEOVhdGDBES She sings in "Geçmiyor Zaman" (The time is not passing): “My wounds are not healing, my fight is not ending” and in "Menekşe" (Violet), “ My violet, without a reason, grew pale. Even birds do not come anymore” I see her dancing in the fire, adorned in her most beautiful dress. In the song "Köşk" (Mansion), the rapid beat seizes your heart, but as the flames rise, you feel their warmth. The fire consumes everything around her, turning the world into a spectacle of glowing embers and drifting ashes. You can’t look away;... - Published: 2024-07-08 - Modified: 2024-07-08 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/artists-to-watch-2-july/ - Categories: Music With plenty more insanely good songs coming out from the indie landscape, we've listened carefully and found our darlings for this week: here they are... This Time for Real In the heart of Hamburg's underground scene, This Time For Real emerges as a raw, unapologetic force, wielding pop-punk like a weapon against the superficiality of our times. Their latest single, "Without You," is a gut-punch of emotion wrapped in a catchy-as-hell melody that would make Blink-182 proud. These hometown heroes - Gerrit Skott on drums, Philipp Ebener slapping the bass, Arne Thamer shredding guitar, and Fee van Deelen's soul-baring vocals - have crafted a sound that's equal parts mosh pit fury and late-night confessional. It's as if Paramore and Phoebe Bridgers had a love child raised on a steady diet of angst and introspection. Van Deelen doesn't pull punches: "It's about a broken heart and the messy aftermath," she admits. But this isn't your typical breakup anthem. This Time For Real digs deeper, offering a lifeline to the brokenhearted with a chorus that'll have arenas screaming along. Born from the boredom of small-town Germany, these childhood friends have bottled lightning. "Without You" isn't just a song; it's a middle finger to emotional repression and a battle cry for self-healing. In a world of plastic pop, This Time For Real is the real fucking deal. https://open. spotify. com/track/3ON3ZMSOxhV5pkK2oDC69r Yours, Karim In the gritty underbelly of Berlin's music scene, Yours, Karim emerges with "frag nicht," a sonic sucker punch that marks their... - Published: 2024-07-04 - Modified: 2024-07-04 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/aqualine-in-interview-the-next-big-uk-breakout-band/ - Categories: Music - Tags: indie, newcomer, UK Aqualine are a young indie band from Guildford, UK who have developed their own unique sound that mixes lofi rap, electro indie and shoegaze in a way that's all their own. With their new video and single 'Tomb' they're staking their claim to be the next UK breakout indie band. indieRepublik: How did you come up with the name Aqualine? Aqualine: From the beginning, we always had a dreamy floaty sound, and the theme of water seemed to capture the way we flow between genres in a kind of borderless state. Although we have developed to have a grungier sound, we have kept that ethereal quality and most importantly the foundation of mixing between numerous genres. The second half of the name 'line' is derived from following a path or a journey. We always went on long drives late at night and dreamed of making music our whole life. That idea of chasing one option in life felt like taking the right road or dancing the 'line' of destiny if you will. Thus, forming Aqualine. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=uNgkR16qtLg indieRepublik: How did you get together as a band? Ben (singer): Patrick and I went to the same primary school in a little town called Cranleigh. It was only in Secondary school however when we decided to form a band. Patrick who had developed a burning passion for guitar was seeking out a singer, he then approached me (Ben) as I was in the boys’ choir. The first day we properly... - Published: 2024-07-04 - Modified: 2024-07-04 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/caged-affair-in-interview/ - Categories: Music, music interview Formed in mid-2023, Caged Affair is an alternative rock band based out of Asheville NC (USA).  Led by Tyler Kemmerling, a dynamic vocalist and guitarist who writes, records and produces their genre-bending music, the band’s neo-grunge punk hybrid sound has drawn parallels to bands like Queens of the Stone Age, Nirvana and Royal Blood. indieRepublik: How does the songwriting process work for you / in your band?   Caged Affair: Well, we often jam, listening for riffs and grooves we like. Then we build it out from there. I usually start with a riff as a verse and then write the remainder of the song based on it. I allow the music to inspire my lyricism. indieRepublik: If your music was a movie, which genre would it be in? Caged Affair: Sci-Fi because it is never just Sci-Fi, t is something else as well. It’s usually also drama. indieRepublik: What music do you listen to when you’re touring?   Caged Affair: Mostly trap and hip-hop. Additionally, I’ll listen to a lot of Beatles and psychedelic music. Basically, any type of music with a lot of energy and dynamism. indieRepublik: What was your biggest stage fuck-up?   Caged Affair: Probably pooping in my pants. But that’s why you wear underwear though, so you get a mulligan. https://open. spotify. com/track/2K0yPDKWCVD7SfVMRoFdjY? si=1fb6ba39185446a7 Best ever compliment? "“You’re good enough. ” It was a moment bigger than music. " indieRepublik: What was the nicest compliment you've ever been given?   Caged Affair: “You’re good enough.... - Published: 2024-07-04 - Modified: 2024-07-04 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/vinyl-floor-in-interview/ - Categories: Music, music interview Vinyl Floor are one of the smorgasbord of great Scandinavian bands (how do they do that? Is it the exorbitant price of alcohol and the darkness? ? ) with an authentic feel for some deeper level of the Americana vibe. We listened to them and loved what we heard so we decided to ask them some questions... indieRepublik: How did you come up with the name Vinyl Floor? Thomas Charlie Pedersen: My brother lives in an apartment on the 1’st floor. He has a lot of vinyl records and I think one day I just jokingly referred to his floor as being ‘the vinyl floor’. Simple as that. It doesn’t really mean anything. indieRepublik: How does the songwriting process work for you? Thomas: We both usually bring in more or less finished songs. Occasionally, we add pieces to each otherś’ songs such as a coda, etc. But mostly we write on our own. Then comes a longer period of time during which we create demos. Here, we tinker with song arrangements, different tempos, song keys and stuff like that. We take our time regarding the structures but it usually pays off in the end. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=fzSJUdzQSiE indieRepublik: What was the last concert you went to? Thomas: Jimmy Webb at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art here in Denmark. Only around 100 people there. Intimate show. I really dig his song ‘The Moon is a Harsh Mistress’. indieRepublik: What was the nicest compliment you've ever been given? Thomas: Somebody... - Published: 2024-07-04 - Modified: 2024-07-04 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/interview-with-bleu-personal-struggles-pent-up-human-realizations/ - Categories: Music, music interview Bleu is a musical artist who has created and inhabits his very own sonic landscape. Murky, swirling reverb-drenched sounds of desolation that pull you nevertheless in, the US indie/rap artist draws inspiration from musicians and film-makers who "create their own strange/surreal worlds within the world, like David Lynch and Connan Mockasin. " indieRepublik: Tell us a little bit about your musical background Francis Bleu: I grew up in Northeast, Philadelphia most of my childhood before moving to Delaware at 17. I took a guitar lesson when I was 7 but didn’t stick with it. Then when I was 13 my older cousin tried to put me on to FL Studio. I played with it for a few days, wrote my first little raps until I lost interest. I was only into skating up until I was about 16 and couldn’t because of snow. I ended up learning how to produce in FL that winter and throughout my first summer in Delaware. Some years after that I gradually taught myself how to play guitar through the Tuna app and by learning indie songs I really liked. I wanted a name that was both a permanent piece of me and an abstract concept I can keep chasing indieRepublik: How did you come up with the name Francis Bleu?   Francis Bleu: I got to this point over the pandemic where I felt like what I made prior was forcibly quirky and not entirely genuine. I was pursuing a more jovial sound under... - Published: 2024-06-28 - Modified: 2024-06-28 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/indie-artists-to-watch-1-june-24/ - Categories: Music Welcome to our brand new series where we feature new independent artists that have caught our ear. This is a (by-no-means comprehensive) list of the artists that we feel are worth checking out. Enjoy! Madeline Rosene - Words https://open. spotify. com/track/2h4v1vQMznZsSXgnslapAO? si=cd1536ae26944526 A new track out today from US-based indie pop singer Madeline Rosene: drenched in summer vibes, it's a ballad with a strong US Americana vibe. Madeline's previous releases are a little edgier and indie; this time she's gone for the slow rocker feel; it's almost a little mainstream for our tastes, but it's more than saved by some interesting chord changes and touches of unexpected instrumentation that take it in a different direction. The whole is also so masterfully put together that it ended up on repeat this morning and will be all weekend... Madeline Rosene on Instagram Adeline V. Lopez - Icarus https://open. spotify. com/track/63ycbdVNTdfwzTPWtkLDT1? si=76fb904b9b054d3e Yes, I know, one does wonder if she might fly too close to the sun on this song and all that; while the song has a touch too much teen angst for us (the young lady is on the point of leaving high school and has been accepted to attend the impressive Berklee School of Music). Her song Icarus includes the lines "let go of the fireflies/ there's no surprise" and "I don't know if you notice / but his friend's dead", which aren't honestly lines we hear in songs every day :) Also worth checking out are Adelinie V. Lopez's... - Published: 2024-06-22 - Modified: 2024-06-22 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/interview-with-italian-indie-band-tanz-akademie/ - Categories: Music, music interview - Tags: indie, italy, postpunk Tanz Akademie is a 6-piece indie / post-punk band from Piedmont in Italy. Having recorded their brand new debut album 'Hullabaloo' in just one week, they're heading out on tour across Europe, delivering their powerful, eclectic mix of post-punk, indie rock and a touch of jazz, goth and alt pop (yep, that's all crammed in there :)). The band claim to sound "like a marching band throwing a coming-of-age party at a funeral". So there. indieRepublik: How did you come up with the name Tanz Akademie? Johnny: Hi! Thanks for having us! So. . the name Tanz Akademie comes from the italian cult horror movie “Suspiria” by Dario Argento - Luca Guadagnino also made a great remake of the film. It’s set in a dance academy in Germany, which is run by witches. https://open. spotify. com/album/4NuyFq7PFLyxmx5v9vHUur? si=qnbJIy1kQOOmR7FuRFshjw indieRepublik: If you had to describe your music to a deaf person, what would you say? Johnny: Interesting, mmh. . well if we assume that they’ve never heard sounds in their life I suppose we would show them images - haunted mansions filled with ghosts, people dancing at the edge of some cliff, wooden alpine cabins buried in snow but with a fire burning inside, empty swimming pools being filled by raindrops in a thunderstorm, portrays of people, stuff like that. +++ If you're in Iceland in July make sure to catch Tanz Akademie on their Icelandic tour! +++ indieRepublik: If your music was a movie, which genre would it be in? Johnny:... - Published: 2024-06-21 - Modified: 2025-11-28 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/lola-young-this-wasnt-meant-for-you-anyway-album-review-magnetic-up-and-comer-bares-the-high-and-mainly-the-lows/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews - Tags: New Music Review by Ameena Ceesay Singer- songwriter Lola Young has been on the incline since debuting in 2019; made remarkable considering she’s still a relatively young name in the game right now. The steady stream of new releases has brought us to the launch of a brand new album, and while Young protests that it wasn’t meant for us, we can certainly say that we are glad we’ve heard it nonetheless.   the singles Of the assortment of singles, Conceited, having been released last September, has gone on to become one of Young’s most popular in her discography. And for good reason. As soon as that funk baseline hits, it immediately grips you, and it’s the baritone vocals and the sharp, witty and unapologetic lyrics that keeps a hold. “And I’m sick of your puppy eyes/You said boys should never cry/Well, surprise, I bet no one’s ever told you. ” You buy that she’s fed up with her lover and we are on her side. This is the best song on the album (saved for Fuck- another single with an intoxicating instrumental ) in addition to sonically being a change of pace.   https://open. spotify. com/album/3uTpTaMOynCYKV5AtgeO2U? si=R3iRcVGrQuGpt8oJ1iRsjA “Almost serves as a prelude to Conceited" Wish You Were Dead, lyrically, almost serves as a prelude to Conceited, setting the scene of the toxic dynamic between Young and her lover before she starts to break away in Conceited. “When you come around, I’ll wear red/I’ll forget all the awful things you said. ”... - Published: 2024-06-19 - Modified: 2024-06-19 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/almost-twins-in-interview/ - Categories: Music, music interview - Tags: germany, indie folk, Indieberlin, leipzig Almost Twins is an indiefolk act from Leipzig based around their singer and songwriter Max Grüner who not only looks but also sounds like the second coming of Erlend Oye of Kings of Convenience fame. So if you're out there missing your fave plaintive indie band, sing hallelujah! We catch Max Grüner in interview. indieRepublik: Tell us a little bit about your musical background Almost Twins: I started taking guitar lessons when I was 8. When I was 11 a friend of mine introduced me to the Beatles and all the artists form the 60's and 70's like Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Pink Floyd. We spend endless hours trying to write our first songs imagining being John Lennon and Paul McCartney. ;) I started home recording when I was 13 and kept on exploring and experimenting in this field inspired by artists like John Frusciante and The Notwist. The connection to the classical guitar never broke up so I decided to study world music guitar in Dresden and travelled to South America fascinated by Argentinian and Brazilian music. I spent some months in Buenos Aires taking classes before coming back and finishing my studies in Dresden. I try to stay curious and always try to find something new to explore in every song I write. https://open. spotify. com/album/1TPA7eXw9lNRuJQD8ajohz? si=rWevDlFcSGakvOGMViJ5DA indieRepublik: How did you get together as a band? Almost Twins: I started Almost Twins in October 2021 when I moved to Leipzig. The original idea was to record a... - Published: 2024-06-17 - Modified: 2024-06-17 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/lucidez-in-interview/ - Categories: Music, music interview - Tags: indie pop, indie-rock, poprock Lucidez is a singer/songwriter from Bernau near Berlin. Over the last 8 years she has composed and sung her own songs, mainly in the areas of pop, rock, Latin and singer/songwriter, making waves and making music with her refreshingly honest take on pop and pop life. indieRepublik: Tell us a little bit about your musical background LUCIDEZ: I've been making music for about 8 years now. I started out just playing the piano, which I taught myself through YouTube tutorials because I still can't read music :) At some point I started writing songs and then taught myself to play the guitar. If someone had asked me 10 years ago if I could imagine doing something with music, I would probably have just laughed and shaken my head :) But now I can't imagine life without it. indieRepublik: How did you come up with the name LUCIDEZ? LUCIDEZ: I thought for a long time about what a good artist name would be, and since my last name is "Helle" and I really like the Spanish language, Spanish music, etc. , I decided to see what my last name means in Spanish, and it ended up being "Lucidez", which is why my artist name is Lucidez. :) Crowds and the volume aren't my thing... I'm more of an observer indieRepublik: How does the songwriting process work for you? LUCIDEZ: It varies a lot, but I usually start with the melody. Often it's songs that I've heard and really liked and then... - Published: 2024-06-17 - Modified: 2024-06-17 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/ab-jetzt-bin-ich-laut-lucidez-im-interview/ - Categories: music interview, Musik - Tags: indie rock, Indie-Pop, Poprock Lucidez ist eine Singer-Songwriterin aus Bernau bei Berlin. In den letzten 8 Jahren hat sie ihre eigenen Songs komponiert und gesungen, hauptsächlich in den Bereichen Pop, Rock, Latin und Singer-Songwriter. Sie macht Wellen und macht Musik mit ihrer erfrischend ehrlichen Sichtweise auf Pop und Pop-Leben. indieRepublik: Erzähl uns ein bisschen über deinen musikalischen Hintergrund LUCIDEZ: Ich mache jetzt seit ungefähr 8 Jahren Musik. Angefangen habe ich nur mit Klavier spielen, das ich mir selbst durch YouTube-Tutorials beigebracht habe, weil ich immer noch keine Noten lesen kann :) Irgendwann habe ich angefangen, Songs zu schreiben und dann Gitarre spielen gelernt. Wenn mich jemand vor 10 Jahren gefragt hätte, ob ich mir vorstellen könnte, etwas mit Musik zu machen, hätte ich wahrscheinlich nur gelacht und den Kopf geschüttelt :) Aber jetzt kann ich mir ein Leben ohne sie nicht vorstellen. indieRepublik: Wie bist du auf den Namen LUCIDEZ gekommen? LUCIDEZ: Ich habe lange überlegt, was ein guter Künstlername wäre, und da mein Nachname "Helle" ist und ich die spanische Sprache, spanische Musik usw. wirklich mag, habe ich beschlossen nachzuschauen, was mein Nachname auf Spanisch bedeutet, und am Ende landetete es bei "Lucidez", weshalb mein Künstlername Lucidez ist. :) indieRepublik: Wie funktioniert der Songwriting-Prozess für dich? LUCIDEZ: Das ist sehr unterschiedlich, aber normalerweise fange ich mit der Melodie an. Oft sind es Songs, die ich gehört habe und die mir sehr gefallen haben, und dann weiß ich, dass ich einen Song machen möchte, der in diese Richtung geht... Das Songwriting kommt danach meist,... - Published: 2024-05-31 - Modified: 2024-05-31 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/abracadabra-guess-whos-back/ - Categories: Music There's a lot of good things and a lot of bad things that you can say about Eminem aka Slim Shady, and I'd have to agree with all of them. But before he lost his sense of humour, he was always riotously funny, and let's face it, the man could rap. Well, he's back. Yes, back again. With a song and accompanying video that grinningly takes the piss out of his present self, his old self and the world as it is today, with appearances by a horde of celebs as the new Eminem in a kind of sub-Robin costume goes roaring through a video game-like cityscape with Dr. Dre at the wheel, chasing a 90s-era Slimy Shady who's come through a portal and wants to destroy everything, or at least put up a finger to it, Eminem shows that when he's not on coke and/or misogynising the world and/or taking himself too seriously, the man's good. Very good. The man's good. Very good. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=22tVWwmTie8 - Published: 2024-05-31 - Modified: 2024-05-31 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/abracadabra-rate-mal-wer-zuruck-ist/ - Categories: Musik Es gibt eine Menge guter und schlechter Dinge, die man über Eminem alias Slim Shady sagen kann, und ich muss allen zustimmen. Aber bevor er seinen Sinn für Humor verlor, war er immer zum Brüllen komisch, und seien wir ehrlich, der Mann konnte rappen. Nun, er ist wieder da. Ja, wieder zurück. Mit einem Song und dem dazugehörigen Video, in dem er sich grinsend über sein jetziges Ich, sein altes Ich und die Welt von heute lustig macht, mit Auftritten einer Horde von Prominenten, wenn der neue Eminem in einer Art Sub-Robin-Kostüm mit Dr. Dre am Steuer durch eine Videospiel-ähnliche Stadtlandschaft braust und einen Slimy Shady aus den 90ern jagt, der durch ein Portal kommt und alles zerstören will. Dre am Steuer durch eine videospieleähnliche Stadtlandschaft braust und einen Slimy Shady aus den 90er Jahren jagt, der durch ein Portal gekommen ist und alles zerstören oder zumindest den Finger darauf legen will, zeigt Eminem, dass er gut ist, wenn er nicht gerade kokst und/oder die Welt misogynisiert und/oder sich selbst zu ernst nimmt. Sehr gut. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=22tVWwmTie8 - Published: 2024-05-31 - Modified: 2024-05-31 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/lola-young-new-single-messy-out-today/ - Categories: Music It's always a supreme pleasure to listen to a new Lola Young single, and this one's no different in that regard, even if it's different in other ways. Lola Young always wears her heart on her sleeve, but here she's definitely showing her more sensitive side; dressed up in a ballet dancer tutu as it is. Lola Young at 23 is already an established artist; having been nominated for the Brit Rising Star award, she's now already massive, with a sold-out US and European tour behind her and not looking like she's going to stop anytime soon. Her new album is out in June, and available for pre-order (also coloured vinyl! ) here! https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=k-k2_Liofy8 - Published: 2024-05-31 - Modified: 2024-05-31 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/coma-54-get-melodious-with-new-release-flow/ - Categories: Music, New Music - Tags: grunge, New Music, rock COMA 54, the Irish-born, Berlin-based band who insist that they're grunge, come back with more heavy guitars mixed with finely tuned harmonies and an ear for a good melody. I'll let them have the grunge label if they like, and there are definite touches of the particular rock vibe that you would once have used that label for, but in my opinion these days grunge is a slightly outre label; they also describe themselves as desert rock and shoegaze, so maybe that's a new genre in itself? New grunge? Is there such a thing? What about grungegaze... desertgrunge? Maybe grungeshoe? Whatever, what I keep liking about these plucky lads from Ireland who do a good scowling-in-a-doorway press photo, is their mix of heavy vibe, strong songwriting and a definite knack for a good melody. And even if the drums are loud and the guitars heavy, there's also a definite pop overtone, if only in the catchiness of the chorus. With festival headlining slots in Munich, Berlin and Schwerin as well as a recently packed gig in Casseopia in Berlin, COMA 54 are not going anywhere, and that can only be a good thing. https://open. spotify. com/album/2NMxfRF42KCQNltb8sW86p? si=9f7ZuA9pRWyAagPwRuFuIA Find Coma 54 on Insta here - Published: 2024-05-31 - Modified: 2024-05-31 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/twenty-one-pilots-clancy-album-review-if-it-aint-broke/ - Categories: Music - Tags: New Music Review By Ameena Ceesay With new singles sprinkled throughout the year, the anticipation for a new album from this alt rock duo was immense. Now it’s finally dropped, their first in 3 years. The fundamentals remain unchanging, but it’s yet to run its course.   The singles Let’s shift our attention to the singles first. Prior to the full release of Clancy, fans had been drip fed these 4 tracks essentially on a monthly basis tracing back to February. The album’s first single and opener Overcompensate, is probably the most atypical of this lineup. In that it throws a lot at you in the first third. https://open. spotify. com/album/1KFWgQTw3EMTQebaaepVBI? si=WNZTOslYRGieEvA44LTrtg "Sonically, it's great,especially with that earworm of a chorus" After a brief piano interlude, lyrics varying in German, French and Spanish are laid out over an industrial instrumental. We finally settle into familiarity with vocalist Tyler Joseph taking the reigns, but after the repeating of lyrics “Wait, what /Wait, what” the quick pace of the backing track slows down without warning. This could be grounds for a messy record, but sonically, it’s great, especially with that earworm of a chorus.   The others are structured more as proper songs in the generic sense, with some interesting tweaks to keep from being a copy/paste job. Next Semester, is void of Joseph’s now signature rapping, and almost has a punk element to it in the drums and guitars. Backslide is a very Twenty One Pilots-sounding track- the second verse rap, the same... - Published: 2024-05-17 - Modified: 2024-05-17 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/billie-eilish-new-album-out-now/ - Categories: Music Third Billie Eilish album Hit Me Hard And Soft came out this week with no pre-singles. Spoiler: we love it. At the tender age of 22 Billie Eilish has already impacted the pop music industry to the point where a new album has become a seismic event, with listeners wondering, what will this one be like? After a teenage of goth-pop with a lot of spiders and contemptuous pouting, the girl who was equally absolutely determined to be herself and absolutely set on taking the world by storm was forced to grow up at lightning speed in the glare of the media spotlight. https://open. spotify. com/album/7aJuG4TFXa2hmE4z1yxc3n? si=1RYnFjhPSQaSRxLJWvhMAw And at exactly the same time she was also, with her brother Finneas, determined to put out music that defined her, and not allow herself to slip into whatever the mainstream music industry thought would sell that year. It's a craving, not a crushBillie eilish Her last album, Happier than Ever, was already a sea change and a willful statement of intent; a coming of age, if you like, as – at least for the album's promo push – she shucked off the anti-shape-wear baggy style that had come to define her look, and went full 50s vamp with blond locks and retro lingerèe. Lyrically, that album dwelled largely on how it was to be an adolescent whose tiniest move was plastered across smartphone screens, examined, and interpreted to the nth degree. And now we have Hit Me Hard and Soft, released 16th... - Published: 2024-05-11 - Modified: 2024-05-11 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/noah-and-the-loners-issue-an-ode-to-punks-past-and-present-for-better-and-for-worse/ - Categories: Music Teen (yes, teen) Brit rockers Noah And The Loners have brought out their debut EP, Desolate Warning, five songs brimming with rage on topics such as politics, mental health and corruption. The other key selling point is the hybridised sound of old and modern Punk. Upon listening, they achieve this goal... only a bit too well. We kick off with the first and lead single, Crash Landing. After a brash riff paired with erratic drumming, you’re hit with the Johnny Rotten style cadence in lead singer Noah Lonergan’s voice. Interesting considering this isn’t how he originally sounded, as their debut single Teenage Tragedy dictates with its softer, pop punk adjacent vocals. A throwback of this caliber is appreciated https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=cTjkNFyG94s To give them the benefit of the doubt, most artists don’t find their defining sound until later in their careers. You can tell they are trying to mimic classic punk acts- i. e. Sex Pistols, but also Buzzcocks, who the band cites as an inspiration. While a throwback of this caliber is appreciated, especially in the context of being a young adult angry at modern day society, it borders on trying too hard, despite not being a bad song by any stretch.   Same goes for the next single, Just Kids, albeit a minute shorter, so it functions as a generic interlude that cuts to the chase in its commentary about adolescence. “The children are all scared/their nerves are worse for wear” The sound they establish gets thrown... - Published: 2024-05-05 - Modified: 2024-05-05 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/imagine-dragons-ft-j-balvin-eyes-closed-review-ein-pseudo-dance-pop-track-zum-mitklatschen/ - Categories: Musik, Musik-Reviews Trotz ihres polarisierenden Rufs ist der unmittelbare Popularitätsanstieg des Electronic-Rock-Aushängeschilds Imagine Dragons nicht zu unterschätzen, der auf das 2012 erschienene Album "Night Visions" zurückgeht und mit Singles wie " Radioactive" und " Demons" in die Weltspitze katapultiert wurde. Unter der Oberfläche... . haben wir alle zu kämpfen https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=WoeFMTbR5Ps Lass uns auf beide Perspektiven eingehen. Für die Eingefleischten ist der modulierte Anfangstext "I could do thiswith my eyes closed" ein düsteres Omen für das, was noch kommen wird. Wie Frontmann Dan Reynolds sagt, geht es in dem Song darum, "stark sein zu wollen (... ) aber unter der Oberfläche (... ) kämpfen wir alle... ". Aber die schweren Trommeln und der opernhafte Charakter, die das unterstreichen könnten, sind verschwunden, ebenso wie die folkloristischen Untertöne, die in ihren späteren Werken zu hören sind. Stattdessen kann es fade und zu ähnlich zu allem anderen im Mainstream-Popradio wirken. Für die Eingefleischten ist der modulierte Anfangstext "I could do this with my eyes closed" ein düsteres Omen für das, was noch kommen wird Aber hier ist die Sache. Imagine Dragons haben schon immer einen Pop-Sound gehabt, vor allem gegenüber ihren schärfsten Kritikern; mit Musik, die eher für Autowerbung geeignet ist, als für irgendetwas, das auch nur annähernd mit "echtem" Rock zu tun hat. Eine Kollaboration mit einem Künstler wie J Balvin (der, nebenbei bemerkt, einen brauchbaren Job auf dem für Rapper reservierten Platz in der zweiten Reihe macht, aber letztlich belanglos ist) scheint also nicht fehl am Platz zu sein. die Kraft,... - Published: 2024-04-26 - Modified: 2024-04-26 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/perfectly-put-together-rapture-by-coma-54/ - Categories: Music The new song from indie grunge band COMA 54 takes all of fifteen seconds to establish their credentials as well as their intent: this is going to be hard-hitting grunge-influenced heavy rock (first five seconds) that jumps to poppish, catchy half-rapped bits where the guitars go quiet and let the drums and bass push the tune along (5-15 seconds). https://open. spotify. com/album/5mOmgsQeBcKUmBKG7ire9R? si=cSK7m-cxSBG6w90cNYLAyw It takes another 20 seconds or so until these two strands converge and here we have it: a perfectly put-together heavy-rock-pop single that jumps on you, hits you over the head, then grins manically in your face, stands you up, straightens your tie and then gets you to start dancing around as well. a perfectly put-together heavy-rock-pop single Another mark of a well-put-together pop(pish) song is that you're quite surprised when it ends: coming in at 10 seconds below the three minute mark, there is no point in this track that things get samey or in any way boring. Listening through their recent previous singles Saved and Wired, you quickly get a sense that the thing that makes them stand out from most other heavy-rock and grungey bands is their ability to put together tuneful and catchy vocal melodies and harmonies – and then sing them well. You wouldn't necessarily think that was such a rare talent, but it is. you're quite surprised when it ends: coming in at 10 seconds below the three minute mark COMA 54 come out of Cork, Ireland and have, like so... - Published: 2024-04-26 - Modified: 2024-04-26 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/new-single-elysees-from-indie-newcomers-bonheur/ - Categories: Music Elysées, the latest single from up and coming indie band Bonheur, comes as a surprise. From this group of young and boisterous indie kids I'd expected something upbeat and jangly, but Elysée is a love song that's absolutely wreathed in a sense of loss and sadness. The repeated refrain "I want to count the stars with you / I want to be with you" doesn't make me think for a moment that this is a situation where the boy is going to get the girl. Afraid not. Absolutely wreathed in a sense of loss and sadness https://open. spotify. com/track/73PKIZjJQ9D3wKCDbq4jna? si=7c8b4aac227040c7 This is the perfect soundtrack to a long, slow rainy afternoon of lying on your bed, looking out at the falling rain and being lost in the sad knowledge that she doesn't love you and never will. Bonheur are based between Stuttgart (which may be why they feel so sad ;)) and Berlin, and have been making definite waves with the perfect pitch of their nu-indie sound and surefire approach to weaving what even now half sounds like an indie classic. A surefire approach to weaving what even now half sounds like an indie classic Already featured on playlists from FluxFM, ByteFM and even having graced the exalted Indie Brandneu Spotify Playlist, this band is definitely going places. Maybe then they'll cheer up a bit Find Bonheur online here Featured Image by Gerrit Wohnsdorf - Published: 2024-04-19 - Modified: 2024-04-19 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/introducing-daria-a-ukrainian-performer-to-reach-every-heart-with-what-i-do-thats-my-big-goal/ - Categories: Dance, Introducing A YOUNG PERFORMER FROM ODESA, UKRAINE, CONTACTED US BECAUSE SHE WAS ABOUT TO RELEASE HER DEBUT DANCE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE. WOULD WE BE INTERESTED? OF COURSE, WE WOULD. Daria Shyshko delves into the duality of human nature and wants to remind us how we should embrace and explore our light and dark sides. Oh, and she dances wonderfully too. indierepublik: Your improvised dance video explores the duality of nature in each of us. How did you come to this idea, what inspires you about it... Could you say something about the subject? Yes, it started with the idea of showing different sides of my character through dance. Then I had a couple of more ideas related to what song I wanted to pick. Funny thing, when I was going to the studio to shoot this video, I had one song in mind. But when I came there, I called my video director and said: “Hey, I don’t feel like this is the right song. We should change it. ” After Yulya came to the studio and we listened to “Witch” by Alina Pash, she was like: “Let’s do it. Let’s improvise. Let’s experiment. ” https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=3L36KgRQb9M indierepublik: Where are you from? When did you begin dancing? How did you get to where you are now? I’m from Odesa, Ukraine, and I began dancing at the age of six. My father took me to a ballroom dance studio, and ever since then, I have been in the dance world.... - Published: 2024-03-12 - Modified: 2024-03-12 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/my-house-is-not-a-home-d4vd/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews, New Music - Tags: indie, New Music "A novel is a mirror walking along a main road. ” — Stendhal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Before I start,  I cannot believe I’m playing a game (for at least 10 minutes) while in the middle of researching an artist. The character I played is named "IT4MI" (pronounced "itami"), which means "pain" in Japanese. According to d4vd, the name is inspired by manga and anime, and he is the main antagonist of d4vd’s entire project. I did not win, not surprisingly. Maybe you should try! Here’s the link Well, let's get back to business. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=B4UdAJxAoiw d4vd (David), an 18-year-old singer/songwriter, Fortnite lover, and parkour artist from Houston, Texas, has captured attention with his hit single “Romantic Homicide”. He grew up primarily with gospel music and only broadened his horizons to include “secular music” a few years ago. After his worldwide breakthrough with “Romantic Homicide”, d4vd has already released two EPs, “Petals To Thorns” and “The Lost Petals”. His most recent creation, "My House Is Not A Home", a soulful downtempo ballad which he describes as the most personal song he's ever written. d4vd mentioned in Zach Sang’s interview that “Romantic Homicide” was a giant leap, and before it was released, he was afraid that people would not like it. I think the success of the hit allowed him to open his heart and write “My House Is Not A Home”, a very intimate song. The creative, brave and talented young indie artist always brings us surprises. https://open. spotify. com/track/0ssxoYXlw70MY4lh3JsI9q “Hello,... - Published: 2024-03-03 - Modified: 2024-03-03 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/is-it-still-folk-lotta-st-joan-releases-new-album/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews - Tags: Acoustic, berlin, folk Lotta St. Joan, the Berlin-based folk singer/songwriter who's been garnering positive reviews and slow nods of the head from bearded people who smoke pipes (I made that last bit up) is now releasing her new album Song for the Undecided. This exploration of / ode to a lack of decision-making ability has simultaneously elevated her from the ranks of impressive indie folk artists (think Laura Marling meets Angel Olsen meets Joan Baez, if you can) and, with a new sense of musical hunger, opened up a veritable paintbox of musical colour options. https://youtu. be/flu8PCmQ1OA? si=MrDzWn8S9_AGzVlM Certain songs feature a full band, certain songs feature orchestral embellishments, and there are lovely touches of ethereal choir scattered here and there, giving rise to "a long sought after tonal quality that places the songs in a magical melancholy as if performed under the blankets in an isolated woodland cabin in an almost childlike nostalgia". Her last album impressed the critics: "Lotta St Joan impresses with her solo debut HANDS in many ways, including her unflinching calm. I am thrilled by her calmness, by her intensity, by her avoidance of song clichés. Her reflections on closeness, on doubts, and also on desires take on an immensely credible, relevant dimension. " Christine Heise for Radio Eins In fact the album is not simply about indecision: Song of the Undecided journeys through the mind of a person who struggles with indecision and regrets, glorification of past relationships and how they affect the ability to commit to... - Published: 2024-02-29 - Modified: 2024-02-29 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/cigarettes-after-sex-tejano-blue/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews - Tags: indie music, live music, New Music Cigarettes After Sex has unveiled their upcoming album, titled "X’s," set for release on July 12th. The lead single, “Tejano Blue” is now available on all platforms. Formed in 2008, Cigarettes After Sex is an American pop band led by Greg Gonzalez. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=--JuMkludKM Greg Gonzalez's voice is celebrated for its androgynous, sweet, and deeply sentimental quality. This unique vocal texture, along with his composition, makes their music universally adaptable, suitable for any occasion, wherever you are, whatever you are doing. A comment I once encountered perfectly captures their effect: "This band makes me want to dance with my own shadow. " Couldn't be more true! At times, it's hard to pinpoint whether it's the vocals, the melody, or the lyrics that draw us in so deeply. Without the too much flowery and superfluous techniques, Cigarettes After Sex connect with you through their music. The album 'X’s' focuses on a single relationship that lasted four years. Gonzalez explains that the feelings of loss and heartbreak are best communicated through his music and lyrics, rather than simply sitting down and talking to someone. https://open. spotify. com/album/5sZaDwkcg7KFjCEHlvvKt8? go=1&nd=1&dlsi=bb1cb56b29b54450 "Tejano Blue," a tribte to the music of bandleader Greg Gonzalez's early years in Texas. Gonzalez explains: “I grew up in El Paso & Tejano music is huge there. You could go to a lot of the bars in the city & hear artists like Selena, Los Ángeles Azules & La Mafia playing over the speakers. It was in the atmosphere around... - Published: 2024-02-22 - Modified: 2024-02-22 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/are-you-in-the-mood-for-a-blue-raspberry/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews - Tags: blue raspberry, indie music, katy kirby, new album Katy Kirby, an indie artist and singer/songwriter from Texas, is special for her soulful voice and lyrics. Katy kirby’s latest album Blue Raspberry now out for download. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=FKkA9sB4r4E&list=PL3kiz66mMFjnV-jA5rRTTU9B2lkE1waiw&index=10 Would you join me for an afternoon, for vanilla tea and delicate French crêpes? Or perhaps we could meander through the Scottish Highlands, pausing to befriend the gentle coos? These visions dance in my mind at the sound of Katy Kirby's, a melody that transports me to a realm of whimsy and warmth. Listening to her songs, I am taken back to a time of childhood, as if I were once again gathering gleaming, twisted wrappers of crystalline candy. Her eyes burn white as styrofoam, right into meshe’s sugarcane split open, she’s a jaw about to singand she’s shaking little packets before she pours ‘em in her drink she adds them in an order, it goes–yellow, blue, then pink--Blue Raspberry https://open. spotify. com/track/3TWanthaz4xHrwZndyyucW "Blue Raspberry" bearing the same name as its album, emerges as a queer love-themed song. “I felt like I was intending to write love songs for the first time. Once I realized they were queer love songs and celebrating artificiality, I wanted them to sound like they were bidding for a spot in the wedding reception canon,” Kirby said. Other songs by Katy Kirby, such as “Drop Dead” and “Cubic Zirconia” also show how music has the power to take us on journeys, not just through the stories told in lyrics but through the emotions and... - Published: 2024-02-20 - Modified: 2024-02-20 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/new-album-of-roaring-idles-tangk/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews - Tags: indie rock band, indie-rock On their fifth album, the British rock band "IDLES" collaborates with producers Nigel Godrich and Kenny Beats to transition towards a gentler, more melodic rock sound, while still maintaining their intensity in delivering love-themed songs. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=A3ZZj5y6Qt4 This album, titled "TANGK" sees Joe Talbot (vocal) drawing inspiration from an exploration of love, aiming to meld this approach with the band's signature energetic delivery. "TANGK" delivers a broader and more experimental sound, incorporating elements such as atmospheric piano ballads, soul, and techno. The album points to a potential evolution in their musical identity, suggesting that the band embraces the subtleties of love and human emotion with the same fervor, but perhaps with a softer touch. The use of bass drums and guitar complements the theme and vibe well. We can see how far they've come from "Ultra Mono" to "Crawler", and now to "TANGK". https://open. spotify. com/album/6U11VNHZAfYY3E9V4oFB2p They continue to retain the rage and the outcry, yet it transforms into an internal force that lurks beneath the melody, akin to a predator focusing on its prey, yet patiently waiting for the opportune moment to embark on the hunt. "POP POP POP" and "Dancer" stand out as my top picks from the album. They represent the moment in "TANGK," showing IDLES' effort to innovate while preserving their existing essence. The familiar raw energy with fresh, innovative sound that appeal to both old fans and newcomers alike. I highly recommend starting your experience with "POP POP POP" and "Dancer" first, for... - Published: 2024-02-18 - Modified: 2024-02-18 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/lives-outgrown-first-solo-by-beth-gibbons/ - Categories: Art, Music, Music Reviews, New Music, venue list - Tags: Beth Gibbons, indie, indie artist, new album, new single "Lives Outgrown," the first solo album of British singer Beth Gibbons in over 20 years, is scheduled for release by Domino Records on May 17th, 2024. The new album's lead single, "Floating on a Moment," combines baroque folk with the expansive, cinematic qualities of her time with Portishead. The song's accompanying official video, directed by Tony Oursler, known for his work on David Bowie's "Where Are We Now? " video, adds a visual depth to the single. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=ldrx0eSqV-E It is a song with tranquility. In a world where music often clamours for attention, Beth brings you peace and enlightenment. Her voice is like a faint fragrance carried by a gentle breeze. “People started dying,” says Beth. “When you’re young, you never know the endings, you don’t know how it’s going to pan out. You think: we’re going to get beyond this. It’s going to get better. Some endings are hard to digest. ” https://open. spotify. com/track/5ZBjVFfYDwj3TeIfDHLWLN With the sound of electric guitar, vibraphone, dulcimer... It becomes irresistible to put aside whatever burdens weigh on your mind. The invitation is to shut down your computer and allow yourself to be carried away by a moment of floating. The emotion turns into a climax in the song’s finale, marked by the gentle harmonies of the soft choir and Beth’s voice. The world is too fickle, but the comforting aroma of tea in the afternoon lingers. Please, take a moment for a cup of "Floating on a Moment” before you... - Published: 2024-02-14 - Modified: 2024-02-14 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/apocalyptic-revelry-prelude-to-ecstasy/ - Categories: Art, Music, Music Reviews, venue list - Tags: indie artist, indie band, pop, rock, The last dinner Party The Last Dinner Party is a British indie rock and baroque pop band comprising five members: Abigail Morris (vocals), Georgia Davies (bass), Lizzie Mayland (guitar), Aurora Nishevci (keys) and Emily Roberts (lead guitar) . https://www. youtube. com/playlist? list=PL9tY0BWXOZFsunFfoHdDoOPcXn3pTbu2o The new album “Prelude To Ecstasy” was released on February 2, 2024. It was produced by British producer James Ford. The Last Dinner Party explains that the debut delves into the vast expanse of human emotions, drawing on the imagery of a pendulum swinging from passionate ecstasy to the depths of pain. "Prelude To Ecstasy,” characterized by its baroque and glamorous style, embodies undertones of culture, gender, sexuality, and religion. The intro track is purely instrumental, delivering a grandiose sound with woodwind, brass, and string instruments. The single “Burn Alive” maintains the characteristic multi-layered sound of The Last Dinner Party's music. Abigail Morris, songwriter of “Burn alive” , explains that “It touches on the idea of finding a sense of joy or ecstasy in the process of being consumed by our own distress, creativity, and sources of inspiration, likened to being purified or sanctified by fire. This metaphorical "holy fire" represents a commitment to confronting and overcoming inner emotion, whether it stems from pain or happiness. “ The song “Caesar on a TV Screen” is a re-enactment of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. https://open. spotify. com/album/1ycq58KRtWt3wFtbuIkvLn I know that I can see myself as a manWhen I put on that suitI don’t have to stay muteI can talk all the time---Caesar on a TV... - Published: 2024-02-09 - Modified: 2024-02-09 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/the-stabal-sessions-a-letter-to-my-love/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews - Tags: indie artist, indie music, lucy kitchen, the stabal sessions Lucy Kitchen is a UK singer/songwriter, known for her haunting folk sound; undoubtedly, “The Stabal Sessions” represents a continuous chapter in her style. Influential figures such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane have shaped Lucy Kitchen's rich musical background. Her curiosity led her to explore jazz, and she was greatly influenced by folk and country musicians like Joni Mitchell and Nancy Griffith, among others. Lucy's journey as a drum and bass vocalist began with her occasional collaboration with Shogun Studio. It was during this time that she performed what is now known as “Looking for Diversion” https://soundcloud. com/shogunaudio/technimatic-looking-for-diversion-ft-lucy-kitchen https://www. youtube. com/playlist? list=PLzS9YLD0KZUE2irDxB3T-YgJLYIxG7lNf Her new EP “The Stabal Sessions” was recorded live at Stabal Music in May 2023 and released on her own label, Bohemia Rose Records, on December 15th. The new EP consists of three new songs and one song, “Sun to the Moon,” from the last album. With guitar, double bass, and Lucy’s vocals, “Blue Light” immediately draws the audience into her story. The soft and sorrowful sound transports us to a film where no one speaks; instead, we sit in silence, listening to the wind whisper. Just as we find ourselves immersed in her diary, the second song, “Chemo Song - Sleeping Song,” strikes us with stronger emotions and a clearer glimpse into her heart. It's as if we were there, watching her quietly strum her guitar. We hold our breath, not wanting to wake her. Sun to my moonRain in my seaI called... - Published: 2024-02-01 - Modified: 2024-02-01 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/there-it-is-oxford-drama-coming-back-with-the-leader/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews, New Music - Tags: indie artist, indie band, indie music, IndieRepublik, polish duo Oxford Drama is a Wroclaw-based indie pop band. Comprised of members Małgorzata Dryjańska and Marcin Mrówka, their music is often characterized as "experimental pop," blending innovative sounds with pop elements. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=Vf9foEoBLYw "The Leader", the leading single from their new LP, made its premiere on The Stephen McAuley Show on BBC. The song marks their return with new music three years after their 2021 album, "What's the Deal with Time? " True to the band's name and their musical style, this song stands out with its boldness and uniqueness, driven by a compelling rhythm. https://open. spotify. com/artist/0T0rADxhl1CLxhSS3t4FJr The official music video retains Oxford Drama's distinctive blend of bizarre yet comforting aesthetics. While it shows a visual departure from earlier videos like "Not My Friend" and "You Only See What You Like", it still captures the duo's unique colour and artistic identity. I highly recommend watching all of their music videos - they're full of surprises! Through sharp observation, the song casts a critical eye on these issues, using satire to expose the contradictions of contemporary political culture. In its role as a political satire, the tracks lyrics describes the modern-day absurdities that pervade our society, highlighting issues such as corruption, the dissonance between political promises and actual actions, and the prevalent hypocrisy etc. make me a leader and pay a solid figure transfers made to my swiss account I’ll be the first one to only say what is trueRecommend see the official video of this track---The leader The track has a... - Published: 2024-01-31 - Modified: 2024-01-31 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/another-sad-song-jupiter-flynn/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews, New Music - Tags: another sad song, indie music, IndieRepublik, jupiter flynn, New Music Jupiter Flynn is an Amsterdam-born singer and songwriter. She began composing short songs at an early age. She has lived in Tokyo, New York, Sydney, and Frankfurt, and currently resides in Berlin. Her latest single "Another sad song" was released on January 26, 2024, through Polanoa Music/Wagram Stories Berlin. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=TIXe3BBrp40&list=OLAK5uy_kqebj1kMisSYPHz16QRVUeCIonjsg5zm4 The EP is set to be the young artist's second significant release after her album Moon in 2022, which garnered her attention from publications such as Rolling Stone and Schall magazine. It stands out with intelligent arrangements and indie sounds from Pola Roy's Kreuzberg sound forge Hitipapa Studios with Jupiter Flynn's distinctive voice. https://open. spotify. com/track/6Y3e3RoYGD5pyB1KN9SGrd Jupiter Flynn Live: 25. 01. 2024 Berlin, Bikini Berlin (Solo bei radio eins)04. 04. 2024 Berlin, Kantine am Berghain (Support für Mina Richman)25. 04. 2024 Hamburg, HÄKKEN (Solo-Support für Pina Palau)29. 04. 2024 München, Glockenbachwerkstatt (Solo-Support für Pina Palau)26. 06. 2024 Aachen, Kimiko Festival The first part of the song opens with crystal guitar riffs and Flynn’s unique and ethereal vocals. As if you still feel like immersing yourself in the shadowy mist, but when she sings “please don’t make me write another sad song”, the perfect drumbeats come on stage. Suddenly, the mist starts to dissipate, and the path beneath begins to shown, though still shrouded by the forest, it is bright enough for you to see. The dappled sunlight piercing through the dense canopy and fog hints at a way forward, guiding you through the woodland. According to the background... - Published: 2024-01-29 - Modified: 2024-01-29 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/post-punk-masterpiece-blueprints-by-labasheeda/ - Categories: Concerts, indieBerlin, Music, Music Reviews - Tags: art rock band, indie music, music, noise, post-punk, rock Labasheeda, the Amsterdam-based band, emerges as a distinct voice within the realms of art rock, noise, and post-punk. Their sound contains power and delicate emotion, which goes beyond the cookie-cutter of plenty of present-day music. Their latest album “blueprints”, released in November 2023, is a collection of tracks that are both raw and rebelliously spirited. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=qqLFtmXupx0 With a dynamic mix that infuses punk's rapid-fire pace with the soulful depths of blues, underpinned by solid drum beats and enveloped in layers of noisy guitars, Labasheeda delivers a sound that is unapologetically rock. +++ Catch Labasheeda live in K-19 on 2nd February +++ In the album, the band's distinctive sound palette is enriched with the inclusion of marimba, cello, and double bass. Those forces that don't pander to the times, rough and tumble valour, are on full display in the group. https://open. spotify. com/album/2xPueJoMK50RMmE5NYiLuG Every track on the album has a unique character and distinct taste. "Fossil", the opening song, exemplifies this with its harmonious blend of guitars, violin, and bass. The interplay of electric guitar riffs varies from gentle to pressing, setting the pace of the piece. Concluding with an ensemble of string instruments, it offers listeners an instant taste into the essence of art rock. Every track on the album has a unique character and distinct taste The fusion of violin with the strong beat of rock in the song "Procedure" add a different character to the album. Vocals vibrate between melodic singing and impassioned shouting, resembling... - Published: 2024-01-24 - Modified: 2024-01-24 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/kim-gordon-bye-bye-the-queen-is-back/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews, New Music - Tags: indie music, indie-rock, Indieberlin, IndieRepublik, kim gordon Kim Gordon, the bassist, guitarist, and vocalist, has long been a pioneer and rule-breaker in the music scene. Beyond music, Gordon is also an accomplished artist and writer. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=IZ3i80B0qKg Beginning her journey with noise music in the early '80s as a member of Sonic Youth, she is revered as the queen of the punk underground scene in New York. Since Sonic Youth's dissolution, Gordon has been carving out a distinguished solo career. She is set to release her second solo album, "The Collective," on March 8th, 2024. In her own words, she has aspired to be an artist since she was five and has mentioned that rather than labeling she always set the bar low for herself. Drawing inspiration from post-punk and the avant-garde no wave music scene of late 1970s Downtown New York City, Gordon continues to redefine the boundaries of art and music. “Bye Bye” features an industrial electric guitar sound with a glitchy texture. The lyrics of Kim listing products, showing us the scenario of packing and preparing for a journey, which lead to questions about departure and new beginnings. Is she saying goodbye to an old life? What awaits her? The song leaves these questions open-ended, implying that the answers are hidden under the layers of noise music, drums, and electric guitar. Call the vet, call the groomerCall the dog sitterMilk thistle, calcium, high-rise, boot cut... Button down, laptopHand cream, body lotionBella FreudYSL, Eckhaus Latta... https://open. spotify. com/track/4K2hu1I4tuRpgDLiNTTEi2 It's hard to pin down... - Published: 2024-01-19 - Modified: 2024-01-19 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/welcome-to-the-revelation-new-release-of-good-people/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews, New Music - Tags: folk rock, good people, indie, indie music, Mumford & Sons Mumford & Sons' return to the music world with their new single "Good People," which collaborated with Pharrell Williams—a comeback track that contains folk-rock and modern pop, marks a new chapter for the band. British folk rock group Mumford & Sons was founded in London in 2007. Released in 2024, this single is the first major release since 2019. Infused with the soulful voices of the native vocalists choir, the unique harmony shows a symbol of renewal. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=Z9DemQjjFwU "Good People" has a perceptive energy and a spirit of revival. The lyrics, "Good people been down for so long / and now it's like the sun is rising," send a message of rebirth and hope, picturing a scene of darkness to bright. "Good People" captivates its audience immediately with its strong beat and smooth vocals. The theme is further emphasised by the blend of Mumford & Sons' signature folk-rock sound with Pharrell's influence, forming a melodious synergy. A choir of six vocalists from the United States and Canada also participated in the vocals. https://open. spotify. com/track/4Ybpltno0jRxFI4wH2yXOK Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, and Ted Dwane, the members of Mumford & Sons, have nurtured a decade-long friendship with the famous music producer, Pharrell Williams. The collaboration between Mumford & Sons and Pharrell Williams on "Good People" evolved from a longstanding dialogue into a concrete project after Mumford & Sons' performance at Pharrell's "SOMETHING IN THE WATER" festival in Virginia Beach last summer. The song's debut at the Louis Vuitton Men's Autumn/Winter... - Published: 2024-01-15 - Modified: 2024-01-15 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/fan-powered-royalties-a-fresh-start-of-music-streaming-service/ - Categories: Music - Tags: Fan-Powered Royalties, indie musice, IndieRepublik, soundcloud In April 2021, SoundCloud made a ground-breaking move in the music streaming industry by launching its ‘Fan-Powered Royalties’ platform. This innovative model, a first in the industry, marked a significant shift from traditional streaming revenue systems. It promised a more equitable way of paying artists, especially benefitting independent musicians. What are Fan-Powered Royalties? SoudCloud explains that The Fan-Powered Royalties model offers a more clear-cut method of paying independent musicians. In this system, the revenue generated from each listener, whether through their subscription or ads, is allocated specifically to the artists that they listen to, instead of being amalgamated into a common fund. This approach not only favours independent artists by ensuring they receive fair payment, but it also gives fans a more significant influence in the financial success of the artists they support.  In this model, fan engagement plays a crucial role. Fans are no longer passive consumers, their listening habits directly impact the financial success of the artists they choose to support. What about the Traditional Model? Let's take a look at The Spotify  “pro rata” model for example, the distribution of these funds to artists is then based on their proportion of total streams on the platform. This approach favours artists with massive streaming numbers - typically mainstream or 'mega stars. ' Generally speaking, even if a listener primarily streams music from lesser-known or indie artists, a significant portion of their subscription fee still ends up going to these popular artists due to their larger share of total... - Published: 2024-01-09 - Modified: 2024-01-09 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/die-mutigen-die-schlafen-from-kresse-3-rock-gleeman-in-berlin/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews, New Music - Tags: album review, berlin, Indieberlin, New Music The latest EP "Die Mutigen die schlafen" from "Kresse 3" was released on Friday, 5 January 2024 and features a collection of six songs. Kresse 3 is a four-piece indie rock band from Berlin that formed three years ago. Like the spirit of Berlin, Kresse 3 has blended different musical genres. Their melodies are infused with a vibrant energy, a reflection of the unique atmosphere in which their sound was both conceived and cultivated. By intertwining rough, edgy vibes with classic rock, the band has created a distinctive sound. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=WzAffdSzn7I&list=OLAK5uy_kl4fHpldtGqz-Jgy2BDBYi_twPsnU01ZE Kresse 3 persistently seeks out those moments, connecting the realms of disillusionment and hope. The latest EP from Kresse 3, "Die Mutigen die schlafen," delves further into the exploration of a state - one that swings between being challenging to endure and unexpectedly vigor. ous.   The art of the band is an exquisite merge of traditional German Krautrock and the innovative stylings of bands like International Music, Die Sterne, Einstürzende Neubauten, and Tocotronic. Their music stands as a tribute to these pioneers, transcending simple emulation, instead drawing inspiration to craft their own unique sound. Their music does more than entertain, it creates a conversation with the audience, challenging and comforting in equal measure. https://open. spotify. com/artist/57GQk5c7JIa9ABP097bOiZ? si=WOI92f-LTjGG3Qy6T2NkTQ&nd=1&dlsi=598c764e59b44343 Dort drüben ist ein GartenDie Mutigen die schlafenDie Fragen kommen wiederBewegen unsere LiederWir schließen die Lücken The song "Die Mutigen die schlafen", paints a picture. They whisper tales reminiscent of an age-old epic, where a hero, in repose in a... - Published: 2024-01-09 - Modified: 2024-01-09 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/a-new-storm-is-brewing-soundcloud-readies-for-a-potential-sale-over-1-billion/ - Categories: Music - Tags: indie, indie music, SoudCloud Sky News reports that Raine Group, in collaboration with Temasek Holdings, Singapore's state investment fund, has initiated the process of selecting investment banks for a potential sale of the company. This strategic move marks a significant step following the appointment of Eliah Seton as the Chief Executive Officer on March 9, 2023. Founded in August 2007, SoundCloud, Inc. , headquartered in Berlin, Germany, serves as a social platform for sound creation and sharing. The platform, co-founded by Alexander Ljung and Eric Quidenus-Wahlforss, has evolved into one of the world's leading music streaming services. Boasting a library with twice as many songs as Spotify, it has become a hub for a vast number of creators SoundCloud stands out as a global music company, fostering direct connections between creators, artists, and fans worldwide, all shaping the future of music. Boasting a library with twice as many songs as Spotify, it has become a hub for a vast number of creators, solidifying its position as one of the world's foremost music streaming services. The platform prioritizes artists, offering them cutting-edge tools, services, and resources to enhance and expand their careers. With an impressive catalogue of over 320 million tracks from 40 million artists, SoundCloud is at the forefront of shaping the future of the music industry. SoundCloud has introduced a pioneering Fan-Powered Royalties (FPR) model, a user-centric payout system that represents a significant innovation in the music streaming industry. Under this model, a portion of each subscriber's or advertiser's revenue is distributed based... - Published: 2024-01-05 - Modified: 2024-01-05 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/interview-with-indierepubliks-first-signed-artist-nuno-and-the-end/ - Categories: Music, music interview - Tags: indie music, IndieRepublik, music interview, Nuno and The End, Nuno Filipe, The Lost Frames After having been a blog, an agency and an events company, indieRepublik is launching indieRepublik Records: a boutique record label set up to highlight the best of the bands we've come across after 15 years as a leading indie music blog. We are extremely proud to announce our first signed artist: Nuno Filipe, an artist from Madeira who has been based in Berlin for the last few years, who performs his atmospheric rock project, with a focus on his extraordinary piano abilities, as Nuno and the End; below is our interview with Nuno Filipe / Nuno and the End. Raised in Madeira, a chain of islands off the west coast of Africa belonging to Portugal, amid a rich tapestry of musical inspirations, Nuno Filipe underwent significant musical growth, blending classical and jazz influences. His European sojourn from Paris to London culminated in his settling in Berlin, where he encountered both artistic stimulation and disenchantment within the realm of music. indieRepublik: How did you come to the piano as an instrument? When did you start playing, who influenced you in the beginning? https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=tLfqunzVS4w Nuno: I didn’t care much about playing an instrument until I was 10. In school, the music teacher used to make us sing easy classical melodies while accompanying us on the piano. The melodies stayed in my mind, and the next Christmas, I asked Santa Claus if I could have some kind of piano. My parents bought me a small electric organ. On Christmas morning,... - Published: 2023-12-20 - Modified: 2023-12-20 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/lotta-st-joan-review/ - Categories: Music »Always« written by Lotta St Joan was released on December 7, 2023. Her composition slowly turns into a companion to our inner dialogue; it offers solace, understanding, and a resounding echo to the depths of one's emotions. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=RSm2VoTOhhQ "I’m a willow tree, I let my hair hang into the sea, always. " One soul, one guitar, sitting quietly on a tranquil lake. The song throws a pebble into the lake, fiddling the water into ripples and stirs our hearts. Upon first listening, it is as if she is telling a story. In its subtlety, the musical narrative serves as a vessel, allowing one's mind to drift into the familiar scenes of their daily life. Without great sorrow or overwhelming joy, the song grants the listener the freedom to project their own emotions into the lyrics and melody. It's like stumbling upon a tabby cat at a rain-soaked crossroad. It could be as simple as a passing glance at a cozy coffee shop in the early morning. Or perhaps, it’s the solitary leaf, caught in a delicate dance, as it gently lands upon your coat on a late autumn day. In the ethereal tapestry of sound, a luminous track emerges—a delicate dance between rhythm and profound resonance. The strumming of guitars intertwines with the celestial timbre of Lotta St Joan's voice, like billowing clouds that gracefully sweep away our frowns. Each note, like a brushstroke on the canvas of emotions, paints a portrait of serenity, casting a gentle spell that soothes the... - Published: 2023-12-18 - Modified: 2023-12-18 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/unleashed-revolution-the-dead-south/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews - Tags: music review, New Music The Dead South is a four-piece band from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, formed by Nathaniel Hills, Scott Pringle, Danny Kenyon and Colton Crawford. Their highly anticipated fourth studio album titled 'Chains & Stakes' is set for release on February 9th under Six Shooter Records. Recently, on December 4, 2023, The Dead South unveiled their latest single, "A Little Devil," produced in collaboration with Jimmy Nutt. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=1C7QlRhmRPE “A Little Devil” weaves a tale of love, struggle and conflicting emotions all wrapped up in the band's unique musical style. The composition has a rich arrangement adorned with poetic touches. The inclusion of cello, mandolin, guitar, and banjo elevates the tone and thematic essence of the song, as well as the harmonies that they produce. While the song carries a mood of sorrow, its vibrant melody emanates hope and redemption, with unvarnished sincerity that is sure to win over its audience. In an era witnessing the ascent of dark rave music, the track’s inviting melodies and rhythmic patterns are entrancing, offering a profound experience heightened by its introspective and blue lyrics.   The song's motifs evoke a poignant sense of yearning and inner conflict, delving into the intricate layers of human emotion set against the backdrop of a tumultuous relationship. The Dead South's distinctive fusion of folk and bluegrass forms a foundation for the emotionally charged narrative. The blend of melodies and evocative instrumentation complements the intensity of the lyrics, creating in an immersive musical journey that resonates profoundly with the song. They introduce fresh elements to the... - Published: 2023-12-10 - Modified: 2023-12-10 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/why-berlin-indie-artist-plagu-still-plays-the-streets/ - Categories: indieBerlin, Music, music interview - Tags: artist interview, indie music, Indie Republik, music, PlaGu PlaGu is a Berlin-based musician, songwriter, and music producer with a love for the streets Having grown up in a musical family, PlaGu passionately engages with the world through street music, valuing its reflection of experiences. He explores personal growth and the concept of mindfulness, while finding fulfillment in composing his own serene, melodic indie tracks. indieRepublik: Tell us a little bit about your musical background PlaGu: I started making music when I was 9. I was very lucky to grow up in a musical family, so I came into contact with instruments at an early age. My first instrument was the drums. Then my parents gave me Logic 9, a music program from Apple, which became my absolute favorite game. I remember days when I spent hours into the night producing music. When I came to Berlin at the age of 23, I had a huge urge to get out of my studio atmosphere and take my music outside, which eventually led me to sell all my studio equipment and start making street music. Today I'm still making street music and have slowly and organically rebuilt my studio. https://open. spotify. com/playlist/7bgkkCsOsOMivg21aw7mz5? go=1&sp_cid=5607d64b289d9341e8380393e4483590&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=d505239bd0fd4c2a indieRepublik: You do a lot of street music around Berlin. How do find the audience when you play street music, how do you find the experience of playing street music, and what's the difference for you between a gig in a venue and a street performance? PlaGu: The audience is always the best! That's why I like... - Published: 2023-12-07 - Modified: 2023-12-07 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/lotta-st-joan-reaching-out-from-the-pregnant-void/ - Categories: Music, New Music - Tags: berlin, indie folk, Indieberlin, New Music With her ethereal new single, 'Between You and I' Lotta St. Joan captures a glimpse of the mysterious space between the other and the Self, between choices, relationships, perhaps between generations? She asks "It's all at my Disposal, But what if I Decide it all wrong? " 'Between You and I' expressly illuminates the philosophical depths of her upcoming new album (March 2024) 'Song for the Undecided' Despite seemingly coming from a place of apprehension, while delicately reaching out to us from this pregnant void, Lotta St. Joan does not seem to be lost in the dark. Especially so when it comes to the cinematic stratosphere 'Between You and I' effortlessly provides to the pleasure of the listeners imagination. The song opens up a space for us to project an impassioned soundtrack onto our own personal head movie. It will be surprising if this song doesn't become the theme to something violently romantic and medieval on the screen one day. It will be surprising if this song doesn't become the theme to something violently romantic and medieval on the screen one day. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=wgjYlhQkBM8 It is obvious the choices made at The Famous Gold Watch Studio in Berlin when hand-crafting this eloquent and sensuous recording were absolutely, without a doubt, solid. The production quality is stellar and the mix is unique and creative. This recording is impossible to vacate from that place between your ears, on the tip of your tongue, it is a hungry ear worm tunneling... - Published: 2023-12-06 - Modified: 2023-12-06 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/indie-review-polar-noir-new-single-circles/ - Categories: Music, Music Reviews, New Music - Tags: berlin, music review, New Music, pop Like a UFO, Berlin Alt-Dream-Pop artist Polar Noir shines pulsating electro-discotheque warning lights all over a cold reality with her latest, the critically urgent and elegantly compelling single 'Circles'. The song was literally composed on an island in the Arctic Sea where she had attended an artist residency. It is written from the perspective of a climate activist who seems to be quite personally in touch with her nature and her surroundings, as well as society's toxic relationship with the ocean and the natural cycles of a life to be inherited.   https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=tbcPP5v11PQ Circles has such a well crafted and yet subtle groove that it is hard not to resonate with and have your body get pulled along, then perhaps lulled out to sea on gentle waves of electric guitars, without you even really noticing. The dreamy dance-along quality makes it difficult to immediately comprehend the thematic intent of the songs lyrics. One could say this is a perfect song to drive to, but that would be completely missing the point At first listen Polar Noir's intimate, cool, evaporating vocals reminds of the sweet seductive atmosphere of L. A. artist Steady Holiday, but somehow Noir comes across more trustworthy. One can tell that a lot of time and careful attention was given to the instrumentation, mix and overall production of 'Circles. ' It is such an irresistibly catchy tune that it's skillfully embedded environmentalist message is easy to overlook.   She is expressing that invisible weight of... - Published: 2023-11-19 - Modified: 2023-11-19 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/making-a-music-video-on-a-budget/ - Categories: Artist Support, Music Video - Tags: DIY, indie, low budget, music video music videos still work In the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry, capturing the attention of listeners has become ever more of a challenge. Even with the rise of social media and short-form videos, music videos are still a powerful tool for artists to promote their music and connect with their audience. And while it's all too often taken for granted that putting together a great music video needs a substantial budget, the truth is that you can achieve impressive results even if you've got limited resources. The Importance of Music Videos in 2023 With the gamut of streaming platforms and social media, music videos remain essential in capturing the attention of potential listeners. In a world where attention spans are ever shorter, a visually engaging music video can make a lasting impression and get your band aesthetic firmly fixed in the minds of your future fans. As well as their promotional value, music videos can also serve as a powerful storytelling medium. By combining visual elements with your music, you can convey a narrative, evoke emotions, and enhance the overall listening experience. Music videos provide a platform for you to express your creativity, showcase your unique identity as an artist, and establish a visual brand that resonates with your audience. While the prospect of creating a music video may seem daunting, especially on a limited budget, it is important to remember that the DIY approach can be just as impactful, if not more so, than high-budget productions. By embracing... - Published: 2023-10-29 - Modified: 2023-10-29 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/pretty-deadly-art-critic-ninja-susie-kahlich-in-interview/ - Categories: Music - Tags: art, berlin, self defence Susie Kahlich is a businesswoman, martial artist, and captivating storyteller who happens to be trained in the art of Ninjutsu. Susie Kahlich is an old friend of indieBerlin / indieRepublik; we first met the lady when she was regular putting out podcasts about art exhibitions, with a kind of "art you can hear" approach – which we liked enough to become media partner for. Even then Susie was teaching her brand of self defence for women under the name of Pretty Deadly in between her art podcasts locally in Berlin; obviously at some point there came a sea change and Pretty Deadly started swelling in both size and visibility. Cut forward a few short years and Pretty Deadly has now become an international movement, with Susie Kahlich's personal approach to Ninjutsu-inspired self defence for women being taught under the Pretty Deadly name across three continents. I had bruises and a newfound respect (wariness? ) for our art-critic friend after that We also applaud Susie and Pretty Deadly for her initatives especially in the latter part of the 2010s (is that how you say it? The twenty-teens... ? ) for reaching out to and teaching female refugees who, while living in refugee centres and generally precarious situations, had to constantly fight off unwanted sexual advances and crossings of boundaries. We at indieBerlin (at that time) went along for a private session so Susie could show us what it was all about and... well, let's just say I had bruises and a... - Published: 2023-10-27 - Modified: 2023-10-27 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/win-tickets-to-most-wanted-music/ - Categories: Music - Tags: music biu, music industry Most Wanted Music, in case you don't know it, is Berlin's top music industry conference and Germany's second most important, after the Reeperbahn Festival. But, you know, it's in Berlin, so that makes it automatically cooler anyway :) MW:M takes place every year in November, and this year it falls on the 15-16 November. Although it's billed as running from the 14th, but on the 14th it's the welcome party that is the Listen to Berlin Awards Show (and don't forget, you need a separate ticket for that). It's also the most forward-looking music conference around, its eye firmly fixed on what's going on right now – and what will probably be going on next year and most important of all, how musicians, labels and everyone in the (especially independent) music industry should be preparing for this, even embracing it. There's an absurd wealth of wisdom, knowledge, know-how, ideas and talent on display: from speakers to workshops to get-togethers to innovative ideas like a bus that drives a group from the conference around in the evening to lots of various clubs around town, for out-of-towners to get a feel for the city's nightlife. Illustrious speakers include: Andrew Campbell, CEO of Steam Music Group Olaf Kretschmar, CEO of Berlin Music Commission Melissa Perales of Music Pool Berlin and M-Soundtrack Hazel Savage, VP Music Intelligence from Soundcloud Bettina Schöll from the Austrian Music Export agency Evely Sieber, Head of Sales and Partnerships at the Reeperbahn Festival ... and many more. Get your... - Published: 2023-10-26 - Modified: 2023-10-26 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/how-to-fuck-up-in-the-music-business-and-other-lessons-at-mwm/ - Categories: Music - Tags: berlin, music biz, music industry Have you ever fucked up? How did it feel? Making mistakes is a hard thing to experience, and the pain that comes with them can suck the wind of ambition from our bodies and minds. But making mistakes is also highly valuable – we can learn what doesn’t work and make huge developmental leaps forward, as long as we feel able to ride out the mistake in a thoughtful way.   Resilience, as we have already discussed, comes from community – and finding that balance between daring to make mistakes, and leaning on an experienced group of supporters who can help you extract the learnings from failure – is at the heart of forging a path forward to a fulfilling future. This workshop, bound to be amusing as well as eye-opening, will be conducted by none other than Patrick Wagner, announced as being from the "Gesellschaft für Fehlerkultur" (or Society for Mistake Culture); but who we also know firstly from his eye-popping band Gewalt and of course the world-renowned though short-lived record label Kitty Yo, that personified 90s Berlin in all its glory... ... And Melissa Perales, from Music Pool Berlin and M-Soundtrack, who have hosted the Torstrasse Festival since 2004 and describes herself on Instagram as "music promoter, supervisor, festival curator, consultant, mama, intersectional feminist child of immigrant & kickassdinnerpartyhostess". Now breathe. Get your tickets to MW:M here and be there for the 2023 version of Berlin's best and most future-focused music conference and festival (and let's not forget... - Published: 2023-10-07 - Modified: 2023-10-07 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/most-wanted-music-conference-14-16-nov/ - Categories: Music - Tags: music biz, music business, music industry the music industry conference with a focus firmly on the future is around the corner! On 14-16 November the MW:M conference will open its doors at the Kulturbrauerei in Prenzlauerberg. Started in 2014, Most Wanted Music is Berlin's most important music industry event, and it's now the second largest conference for music and creative industry professionals in Germany, just behind Reeperbahn Festival. They list their goals as "o enable practical know-how transfer, enhance networking and exchange and inspire new perspectives and business models". It's also the most forward-focused of all the music industry events, with its eye on embracing new technologies (hallo AI! ) while getting them to help you rather than the other way around. With a host of major industry figures and innovators as speakers, MW:M is a don't-miss event in the year's calendar for any music industry professional. Most Wanted Music 2022 / Swieland In 2023, the tagline of the conference is "Humanize" – an acknowledgement that tech and the advent of AI etc etc is ever more present in our lives and our work; and at the same time an invitation to discuss and explore ways that we can keep the human aspect at the front and centre of creativity, while embracing technology rather than shying away from it. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ue9LZtz6g1M In 2023, the boundaries to our potential to shape our world are changing: constantly. We all cherish exceptional artists and human-made, remarkable music, but is there a way to enhance our creation and... - Published: 2023-10-06 - Modified: 2023-10-06 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/brand-new-indie-pop-out-this-week/ - Categories: Music - Tags: indie, new Welcome to the second of our new regular Friday feature where we present you with our pick of the best new indie pop releases that came out this week. If you just want to listen to the list of songs on Spotify, they're the first tracks listed on our cool as shit Spotify playlist IndieRepublik Best New Indie Pop Hit us up here or via Insta to recommend your favourite artists for next week's list! But first - Boygenius live last night on Colbert and the Late Night Show This isn't actually a new release (although the new boygenius album is coming out next week! ) but ther performance is from last night (as I write) and I thought you just need this: https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=kWHZRxaNWtE And... on with the show :) Masha Jana The young singer songwriter from Sheffield in England brings us a sparkily upbeat indie number titled Let Go. Her Insta bio claims she "writes sad girl songs". https://open. spotify. com/track/51DFe0ECiigHz4cTmTGH7y? si=5c248d8164d14be6 Masha Jana on Instagram | Masha Jana on Bandcamp Holly Humberstone - Kissing in Swimming Pools Holly Humberstone has gone in just a few years from unknown singer-songwriter plinking on the piano in her parent's living room to being nominated for two Ivor Novellos, winning the BRIT Rising Star in 2022 and coming runner up in BBC Sound Of 2021, Humberstone’s bear-all storytelling is the heart of her craft, Here she sings yearningly about Kissing in Swimming Pools. https://open. spotify. com/track/6BIlXbxx0kRiUdnmX8L1I9? si=9e719092205c4460 Holly Humberstone... - Published: 2023-10-05 - Modified: 2023-10-05 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/we-talk-to-cloudy-verdecia-about-her-brand-new-release/ - Categories: Music - Tags: ep release, New Music, release Welcome to our first Throwback Thursday article! These days the multi-million-streams Berlin pop singer Cloudy June needs absolutely no introduction: having exploded over the last 2-3 years, she's as indie as they get: she did it all by herself, with no management, label or team; just her and a couple of friends she made the music with, a friend who did some photos, and with a never-give-up attitude she beat the tiktok algorithm. After daily posting, frequent releases and lots and lots of work and self-belief; she exploded, ending up in all the spotify editorial playlists you want to be in, winning a huge audience of fans on tiktok and getting multiple millions of streams on her singles on Spotify. More recently she's signed up to Columbia Records and has her face three storeys high on Times Square, New York. We're of course proud to be have been the first blog ever to feature the young singer who still called herself Cloudy Verdecia (actually before this article, there was one where she played a ukelele... but I can't find it... . ). So here's our Throwback Thursday article dug up from the archives of indieBerlin / indieRepublik, in 2019... . Cloudy Verdecia has been around the block a bit despite her young years... Her debut solo EP is out today - and with her Cuban mother and rock n roll father, a few years in metal bands, you'll be surprised how gentle and winning her first solo outing sounds. We... - Published: 2023-09-29 - Modified: 2023-09-29 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/best-songs-out-this-week/ - Categories: Music Welcome to the first of our new Friday feature, where we share with you our pick of, you guessed it, new releases from this week September 25-October 1st 2023! This is of course onyl a short list of songs that we heard and liked, there are loads of great songs coming out all the time... but you can help us! Please send us a whatsapp to +49 157 3745 7915 with bandcamp/soundcloud/spotify/etc and link to a song you think we should include. Everyone who contributes gets entered into a monthly raffle for indie merch and goodies :) If you have a song you want us to include, please do the same, including a link to the music plus a link to your social media channels and a way we can get in touch with you. And so, in no particular order: Lola Young - Conceited Lola Young is the UK singer based in Berlin who had her first gig earlier this year and is already showing herself to the absolute breakout star of indie pop in Germany: She's just released the last single from her debut album today - Money. https://open. spotify. com/track/2Iv1yhxAH7m9SpohnJMs9B? si=f85ac1524925452c Find Lola Young on Instagram Lener - keep running away https://open. spotify. com/track/59lwbDbgfnEhccV4823V61? si=7967d1f8a1324ff6 Find Lener on Instagram here Labasheeda - Curiosity https://open. spotify. com/track/51Yuln6J0yfMBVhCewBhwa? si=44e13c1a382c4372 Find Labasheeda on Instagram Slow Pulp - mud Slow Pulp are an indie shoegaze band out of Wisconsin who now live in Chicago. This wonderful single is here to alert... - Published: 2023-09-26 - Modified: 2023-09-26 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/introducing-montana-chanel-london-indie-pop-artist-confounds-expectations/ - Categories: Music, music interview - Tags: atmospheric, indie pop, london Montana Chanel is a female singer-songwriter from London. With a main influence stemming from the alternative sound of Lana Del Rey and the idea of melancholic lyrics with a catchy instrumental underlaid, along with the willpower to break the mould of ‘pop’ music expectations she’s definitely not an artist to miss. With a wide vocal range from a low smoky voice to whistle tones, not a single note is flat. indieRepublik: you've decided to release a 10 minute track that you describe as more like two songs in one, with lots of layers and details, instead of the usual 3 minute single. How did you come to that? Just made sense, or do you have a plan? :) Montana Chanel: So initially they were 2 separate songs, with the first part being written months before as an almost love song? I’ve always really loved the idea of combining two songs into one and always planned on it but never really had enough to say for such an extended song. Along with needing a solid idea - both production wise and lyric wise - to keep people interested for such an extended time! I sit there and shove ALL my emotions into the song for hours until it’s finished as a healthy way to deal with how I’m feeling I loved the idea of slowly developing it as it goes on until the crescendo, as it progresses it gives me a massive dopamine rush! It started with an idea to sample... - Published: 2023-08-31 - Modified: 2023-08-31 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/ansa-sauermann-du-kriegst-was-du-brauchst-tour-2023/ - Categories: Concerts Tickets kaufen - Published: 2023-07-15 - Modified: 2023-07-15 - URL: https://www.indie.berlin/review-no-trigger/ - Categories: Concert Reviews, indieBerlin, Music - Tags: berlin concerts, concert review, Punk In 2022, No Trigger released their third studio album, Dr. Album, a decade after their sophomore record. Filled to the brim with melodic hardcore anthems, they’ve been playing around the world to bring it to the live stage, gracing us with a gig at Badehaus. “We don’t want a civil war, we want love and peace and record stores” is a main takeaway off Dr. Album’s opener, Antifantasy. No Trigger made clear their dismay with the current state of the world and the punk scene they feel has lost their political grit during their performance. “The one true leftover punk band”, they called themselves. And they’re not wrong: Tucked away on the cozy concert floor of Badehaus, they did an excellent job making us forget about the world outside. Half of No Trigger’s song catalogue is on fighting alt-right politics (Antifantasy) and the numbing sensations of change (My Woods, Acid Lord), whilst the other half - written on acid, as vocalist Tom Rheault informs us – reflects this altered state of mind (Too High To Die). We get a little comedy stand-up by him as the rest of the band leaves the stage for Tom to play a solo acoustic version of Euro Coke, his account of travelling and consuming around Europe. About half the set is new songs off Dr. Album, the other half early material from No Trigger’s debut album Canyoneer. By the end of the show, made brilliant by the excellent sound engineering, we feel ready to...