Liv Toerkell

Here is a little glimmer of hope for all of those in Berlin who do not get excited over pumping techno beats. In the middle of the capital of electronic music and techno parties, the Synästhesie festival creates an island of refuge for the ones among you who prefer to get their eardrums bashed by a crashing guitar riff rather than a core-shaking DJ set.

Here is another one of Switzerland’s freshest musical exports; MAREY. The alternative pop/trip-hop duo consists of the two musicians Maryam Hammad and Aurèle Louis who have been making music together since 2016. Completely independent they released 'Save Animals Eat People', a rich album full of quiet melancholia, which starts on a positive note buts gets darker and darker towards the end.

Somewhere in Latvia a few years ago, three young musicians got together to form a very special group. From there they set out to conquer the entire country and the rest of Europe. This is the story of a colorful band, Carnival Youth.

The two faces of swans; pretty on the outside but cruelly aggressive on the inside. Taking the ambiguity to another level is the band with the same name. What started in the 80s as one of the most notorious metal bands, grew wings and flew off to dark folk-inspired grounds. For the release of the band's 15th LP, NBHAP editor Liv Toerkell sat down with front man Michael Gira to speak about his work.

70s style glam, retro synthesizers, and noir-vibes of old movies set in the abysses of a metropolis - do I need to say more?! Here is Arya Zappa's new single 'Cut Grass' exclusively on NBHAP. It is a hauntingly beautiful affair balancing goosebump-evoking creepiness and musical finesse.

We have had a pretty sweet relationship with HONIG singer and founder Stefan Honig over the last years following his career and musical transitions. Now the journey of the band is coming to an end with a farewell tour this fall. We took the opportunity to speak to the musician about what leaving the long-term project behind means to him.

Berlin is an inspirational Mekka for many pursuing a creative line of work. Yet, regarding the local garage and punk scene the ground could be richer. Nevertheless, female power band, Gurr chose Berlin as their home base. The Duo gained international acclaim with their independently produced debut record In My Head and after extensive festival hopping and touring Laura Lee and Andreya Casablanca returned to Berlin.

After a numbingly hot summer day the sun slowly sets behind the deserted Australian outback, over the windy streets of London or the humid delta of the south. Driving down a lonely road towards the burning eye of the sun, what do you listen to at full volume? Cari Cari!