One of Germany's most essential showcase of upcoming acts and buzzing industry topics, the c/o pop celebrated a wild anniversary this year around the corners of Cologne Ehrenfeld. NBHAP author Anna Stich, a city local herself, roamed the festival spots to get an impression.
On his recent record “Folded Landscapes”, Scottish composer Erland Cooper moves through time, climate change and human existence by means of vast, orchestral landscapes, created under extreme circumstances. We took the chance to chat up the musician to discuss his aesthetic principles and the conditions that governed the musical creations.
A Song For You is a Berlin-based choir project that unites more than fifty singers. Centering BIPoC voices, the choir provides a space for connecting and exploring the joys of communal singing. Anna Grubauer met Noah Slee, who is part of the founding team, and choreographer Stephanie Ilova for a chat in Berlin after their sold out debut show "The Matriarch".
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 Berliner festival, XJAZZ!, is known for bending definitions of jazz. Considering it a word of freedom rather than a narrow genre description, its line-up features international artists with different takes on jazz. We spoke to headliner and South Londoner Rapper Nadia Rose about her music and its connection to the genre.
The Canadian pop veterans have endured the drastic transformations of the music industry for the past two decades and it is a little miracle they are still here, delivering one decent album after the other, most lately last year’s "From Capelton Hill". NBHAP authors Norman Fleischer and Andreas Peters share a mutual love of the group from the beginning of their career and sat down with Amy Millan on their recent Berlin tour stop to talk about about their life’s work.
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.
In its familiar format CTM, the well-established festival for club culture returned this year. Some of Berlin's finest sound systems, including the ones at Berghain, RSO, and HAU2, have once again been selected to host electronic and experimental music acts from around the world. Anna Grubauer reflects on a week of inspiration, surprises, and lack of sleep.