latest articles

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 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...

Berlin’s Industrial Ruins Are Incubating Europe’s 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 factories aren't just being preserved—they're being weaponized as catalysts for innovation. It's a transformation that could give Europe's...

Indie Beer: Now that’s 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 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,...

Retro RnB from New York – GARTH. Live at Lark Berlin, March 19th

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...

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 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...

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 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...

Why Berlin is the Perfect Launchpad for Your Tech Startup in 2025

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...

Berlin startup That Was Easy AI shows how easy AI can be

Welcome to our brand new series featuring the best and coolest startups in Berlin and Brandenburg! Cool Berlin Startup #1: That Was Easy AI While "AI" - more than an artificial intellect, but a truly intelligent AI - is being...

Video Premiere: Bookie Baker – The Ideal Expiration of a Stubborn Man

Having been a fan of Bookie Baker for years, ever since coming across their brilliant pseudo-western video for single Autumn Wind, we're delighted to be able to premiere their brand new video single "The Ideal Expiration of a Stubborn Man"....

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 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...

“THIS IS YOUR LIFE. DO WHAT YOU LOVE, AND DO IT OFTEN. IF YOU DON’T LIKE YOUR JOB, QUIT. IF YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME, STOP WATCHING TV. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE, STOP; THEY WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU WHEN YOU START DOING THINGS YOU LOVE. STOP OVER ANALYZING, LIFE IS SIMPLE. ALL EMOTIONS ARE BEAUTIFUL. WHEN YOU EAT, APPRECIATE EVERY LAST BITE. OPEN YOUR MIND, ARMS, AND HEART TO NEW THINGS AND PEOPLE, WE ARE UNITED IN OUR DIFFERENCES. ASK THE NEXT PERSON YOU SEE WHAT THEIR PASSION IS, AND SHARE YOUR INSPIRING DREAM WITH THEM. TRAVEL OFTEN; GETTING LOST WILL HELP YOU FIND YOURSELF. SOME OPPORTUNITIES ONLY COME ONCE, SEIZE THEM. LIFE IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU MEET, AND THE THINGS YOU CREATE WITH THEM SO GO OUT AND START CREATING. LIFE IS SHORT. LIVE YOUR DREAM AND SHARE YOUR PASSION.”
-THE HOLSTEE MANIFESTO – WHICH WE EMBRACE

Vinyl Floor in 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...

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, a dynamic vocalist and guitarist who writes, records and produces their genre-bending music, the band’s neo-grunge punk hybrid sound has drawn...

BMVA 2024 – what a party

BMVA - The Berlin Music Video Awards - took place once again and as usual became the party to end all parties...For 3 days independent musicians, video directors and artists gathered in Berlin to celebrate the art of the music video. Here's a peek at what it was...

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 (by-no-means comprehensive) list of the artists that we feel are worth checking out. Enjoy! Madeline Rosene - Words...

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 '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...

Almost Twins in Interview

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...

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 gesungen, hauptsächlich in den Bereichen Pop, Rock, Latin und Singer-Songwriter. Sie macht Wellen und macht Musik mit ihrer erfrischend...

Lucidez in interview – Ab Jetzt Bin Ich Laut

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....