8 Tracks Of: Pop-Kultur 2019

Music

Berlin's Pop-Kultur festival is flying the flag for equality and diversity, not just on their line up but behind the scenes and in the crowd. As with previous editions, this year's event – which takes place between 21-23 August at Kulturbrauerei – focuses on three main elements: a rich programme of concerts, commissioned works, talks, films and exhibitions, their talent program Pop-Kultur Nachwuchs and the opportunity to network.

Across the three day festival, Pop-Kultur will bring together artists operating in the realms of indie, rock, experimental, wave, hip hop, electronica and of course, as the festival's name suggests, "pop" music from across the spectrum. Among those playing include German indie mainstays Die Goldenen Zitronen, leftfield hip hop duo Shabazz Palaces and rapper and poet Mykki Blanco, as well as a diverse roster of singers, DJs and musicians from across Europe and beyond.

There's a wealth of acts to discover so to help you navigate the extensive line up, we've picked out 8 tracks from some of the artists that peaked our interests…

Find out more about Pop-Kultur.

LISTEN

Xen - Bells

In 2015 Tel Aviv-based musician, designer and artist Xen came to our attention after inaugurating the wonderful Malka Tuti imprint. She returned to the label for a collaborative EP with Yovav in 2018, then set upon another solo debut on Red Axes’ Garzen Records in March this year. Expect a dose of cold wave and psychedelic pop with beautiful hazy vocals…

Xen - Bells

In 2015 Tel Aviv-based musician, designer and artist Xen came to our attention after inaugurating the wonderful Malka Tuti imprint. She returned to the label for a collaborative EP with Yovav in 2018, then set upon another solo debut on Red Axes’ Garzen Records in March this year. Expect a dose of cold wave and psychedelic pop with beautiful hazy vocals…
Bnnt - God Is Nothing More Than An Acoustic Hallucination

Hailing from Poland, BNNT are a “band” made up of Konrad Smolenski and Daniel Szwed, who together explore how music, art and performance interact. Their 2017 album MULTIVERSE came out via Instant Classic and is based on improvisations that call upon tribal drumming and post-dance influences. Their live shows are rooted in the unexpected and the extraordinary…
Shari Vari - Helicopter

Shari Vari is the brainchild of Hamburg-based duo Helena Ratka and Sophia Kennedy. Operating on the fringes of pop, the pair blend psychedelic lyrics with leftfield electronics, a sound first honed on their 2017 debut. Their forthcoming LP for Berlin’s Malka Tuti showcases these oddball electronic influences alongside groovier, melodic touches.
Iotaphi - Dark Blue

IOTAPHI is a project that came to life in Los Angeles before settling in Athens. Conceived by Ilia Darlin and Francesco Pinna, they seek to decipher and embrace chaos through cinematic, ethereal soundscapes. Thematically they reference tragic love, substance abuse with subtle references to greek mythology in their lyricism.
Perel - Hildegard

Perel stormed on to the scene in 2017 with her debut on the mighty DFA records, giving us an introduction to her heady blend of cosmic disco, kraut and wave. Since she’s returned to the imprint for three more releases, as well as making homes on Uncanny Valley and Dischi Autunno. As a DJ and live performer, her sets are energetic, jovial and full of 80s electro influences and melodic synths that simply can’t fail to make you dance.
Bylwansta - Grey Feat. Kimosabe (Prod. By Yondo)

Originally from Durban, South Africa, rapper and producer BYLWANSTA began songwriting at the mere age of 13, his innate ability to tell a story leading to similarities being drawn between him and Eminem. Considered to be a DIY artist of his generation, his career took off after frequenting open mic nights, pub gigs and instore sessions at record shop before eventually being picked up. This year marks his second appearance at Pop-Kultur which will see him collaborating with producer Robot Koch to create a unique live performance.
Anna Calvi - Suddenly

One of the more well-known names on the line up nevertheless an artist definitely worth mentioning, British singer-songwriter Anna Calvi’s atmospheric take on pop and rock has seen her unleash a torrent of records on Domino Records over the last decade. Her latest album Hunter explores themes of sexuality, gender and identity, touching on the contrast between power and vulnerability. A commanding figure on stage, her performance at Pop-Kultur isn’t one to be missed…
Blu Samu - Sade Blu (Prod. Dr Peet)

Belgian-Portuguese singer and rapper Blu Samu produces the kind of soulful R’n’B that has you feeling all nostalgic. Her influences stretch far beyond just these genres though, taking inspiration from hip hop, trap, funk and Brazilian sounds. Another talented young rapper on the rise, Pop-Kultur cite her as sitting somewhere between Lauryn Hill and Princess Nokia… pretty spot on.