Community

On May 6th, X-S takes place at Berlin's Marie Antoinette and Fitzroy. With the aim of reducing barriers, the party and panel talk focus on accessibility and visibility for disabled and neurodiverse communities. We spoke to Stella Spoon, who is part of the organizing team, about ableism in nightlife and strategies to make club culture safer and more accessible for people with disabilities and its intersections.

The dream pop duo emerges to powerful and intimate dimensions on their first full-length, exploring the vast emotional spaces of love, destiny and individual fulfilment. NBHAP editor Andreas met the couple for a coffee around their old Moabit surroundings to talk about urban inspiration, balancing challenges and how music keeps welding them together.

The German-Filipino singer and musician Ray Lozano just released her debut album "Pairing Mode". It is a collection of polaroids, or short stories, about being alone, longing, and belonging. Raised in Cologne between two cultural identities, Ray found a home in the music of Jill Scott. In her guest article, she writes about the influence of the RnB singer on her younger self, and how it continues to shape her until today.

The collaborative record "Through the Cycle" by the Berliner Duo Modha engages in vulnerable and open conversations about mental health. With the aim to destigmatize the conversations around the topic, Modha share their emotions with the collaborators to create an atmosphere of trust. Among their collaborators are poet and writer Candice Nembhard, and the singers Noah Slee and Jermaine Peterson. We spoke to Modha and their contributors about the experience, vulnerability, and hopes for the album.

On the 88th day of the year, Piano Day, LEITER release the second compilation featuring pianists from different musical backgrounds. The record represents the diverse stories and emotions the piano can invoke. With artists like Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Yann Tiersen, and Meredi, the compilation celebrates the sound of the unique instrument.

On their new record "World Wide We", OY take their journey to Earth. The band examines political and structural problems and injustices as well as intimate emotions. Moving feet and minds, OY make music full of hope. This week we are introducing their new record and asked them a few questions about it.

What started as a pandemic project turned out to be the manifestation of lifelong dreams. Singer Aka Kelzz explores self-expression, honesty, and safety in the community in their 2022 release "The Drama Series". In this week's Introducing feature, the artist talks about the process of finding out what they wanted.

Based in Berlin, the Haifa-raised singer and songwriter Rasha Nahas releases her first album in her native tongue, Arabic. Written during the pandemic, "Amrat امرات" is an exploration and celebration of her Palestinian identity and a touching album grown out of spaces in between cities, identities, and cultures. We spoke to the singer and are premiering the video to "Habbetek حبيتك" in this week's Introducing Feature.