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Maybe there is hope after all! This track by Sergio Torales comes in red hot off his debut album Interstellar Bedroom and features some of the lushest riffs and dreamy vibes you will find this side of the curtain. Sergio was born in Buenos Aires and has been a street musician for decades, playing to audiences and people passing by in Brasil, Uruguay, Spain, Switzerland – and finally Berlin.
Which is where he caught the attention of music producer Der Assistent, Tom Hessler, who was working on a compilation of street music after the pandemic restrictions were lifted but it never materialized. However, Sergio Torales and Tom did end up in the studio and produced this debut album that is coming out October 16th, on Fun in the church/Bertus. Veo is attached below, and it’s a golden track that hopefully catches your attention passing by too.
Reeperbahn Festival just wrapped up its 21st edition and has grown into somewhat of an annual natural phenomenon in the city of Hamburg. For four days the festival creates its own micro climate, taking over the streets, bars and concert venues of the St. Pauli district, bringing either rich harvests, nourished soils and filled reservoirs or messing up the local habitat. It usually depends on the current iteration of the format and where you place yourself as it throws its weight around.
The festival excels at bringing together a uniquely diverse lineup: commercial heavy hitters, those aspiring to join them, and rising, musically more adventurous talents. The top performances in Team Poule’s book included Afghan singer songwriter Calid who played an intimate, personal and charming set at Imperial Theater in front of an eager crowd.
Then there were Canadian/Anatolian psych poppers Kazdoura, they played two shows and made a strong case for their broad repertoire. Check out their sweet single and then? from November 2025, singing about perceived social expectations and trying to make sense of it all, attached below.
London/Pakistani dream crooners Misbah played a great half hour set of Urdu dream pop, effortlessly adding quality and depth to the lineup – pictured below.
The full cultural and economic might of the commercial music industry is about unleash itself across the cobble stoned streets, bars and clubs of Hamburg’s red light district St Pauli. From September 16-19, Reeperbahn Festival, Europe’s biggest showcase and industry festival, will manifest itself in countless panels, keynotes, networking events and over 500 concerts in more than 70 venues on and around Reeperbahn street. This year’s edition chose the motto Forever Legit? – which reads both wondering and reassuring I guess.
Naturally, Team Poule is forever and legitimately gravitating towards the commercial fringes of the line-up. If you feel overwhelmed by the official 19 hour playlist – try the curated Poule d’Or x Reeperbahn playlist weighing in at a commuter-friendly and easily digestible 2,5 hours.
Quite a few names on the lineup stick out: there is Kazdoura from Toronto, playing a charming blend of funk and psychedelic with a poppy heart, soundtracking the spirit of exploration, nostalgia, and groove. Then there is Peki Momés who released a brilliant album last year. She plays a very modern and global take of Anatolian grooves. Another gem coming in from London: Misbah. He makes great laid-back songs in between dreamy synths, Pakistani diaspora culture and a kind of 80s funk.
Make sure to also circle Calid in your calendars. The Hamburg local released a phenomenally nice debut EP this year on Kabul Fire Records. His music floats around classic Afghan poems and melodies, and powerful folky chords. He is set to play Imperial Theater on Wednesday night, 21h30 to 22h00. Find the beautiful love song Deeshab off his debut, attached below.
Maria Usbeck here might make you blink twice but she released a beautiful debut album back in 2016 that firmly placed her in the visual field of those who know. She followed up with two more excellent LPs over the years, the latest from 2025. Now though – she is gearing up to share some more experimental kind of jazzy pop songs that nicely stack up into a five track EP. She managed to create a unique sort of multi-layered sound forest that is both fun and easy to navigate, with her cool vocals and lyrics leading the way – no existe nada, más que está luz.
As a long time listener first time caller, this outlet is very excited that Maria agreed to do a photo-interview for the series, creating visual context to the themes of love, lust, longing, anguish, obsession and acceptance that drive this EP. Canciones De Amor is out September 18th via the charming people of Cascine – find the opening track Luz attached below and dive into the perspectives of Maria Usbeck.
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Where did it all begin?
Sometimes all you need a smooth riff, one catchy melody and the willingness to embrace process as a result. King Towel here recently returned from a royal trip around Japan and brought home this sweet piece of a jam: Redemption. Hit play and just grab a couple of wasabi nuts, put your feet in the zen garden and gaze into the horizon.
You can also find this song – and many more – on the current iteration of the official Poule d’Or playlist, on Spotify and Apple Music.
Délage are a unique group of people from Amsterdam, a trio of minds and vibes. They just released their third album titled Another Day, bridging the gap between monotonous timelines and new beginnings. They sing about generational themes of loneliness, system thinking, early retirement and financial independence. It all comes wrapped into carefully crafted English, German and Dutch lyrics and a dreamy blend of electronically fused indie pop driven by a trademark saxophone that paints an uplifting picture no less. A great treat and brilliant album to lose yourself in, especially during the hot days of summer in the northern hemisphere.
Another Day is out now, and the wonderful opening track You is attached below. They just played a sold-out release show in Amsterdam and are busily finalizing their summer schedules taking them across Europe. The trio of Till Hormann, Carlijn Fransen, Marius Schwarz then luckily agreed to take part in our ongoing photo-interview series, creating its 35th iteration. Hit play and dive into the world of Délage.
Where did it all begin? [continue reading…]
