MINSKBAR NO. 1

YELKA

The experimental Berlin post-rock trio YELKA offers an intimate, unconventional perspective on America. YELKA's music combines artistic elements from different genres and periods and is far from mainstream sounds.

The new album, In A Rose Hat, which will be released on April 11, 2025, continues this unique approach. It sounds like an electronic blues version from the old underground dives where musicians like Lou Reed or Television once left their mark.

With In A Rose Hat, YELKA concludes their America trilogy. The band's concept is further emphasized by Henrike Wissing’s artwork and the Diane Arbus-inspired cover—an artistic exploration of the American myth.

TARWATER 

Tarwater is a Berlin-based electronic pop duo formed in 1995 by Ronald Lippok and Bernd Jestram. Known for their unique sound, they blend electronic beats with indie pop, experimental textures, and poetic lyrics, cultivating a dedicated following. Their music is marked by a captivating mix of minimalist, hypnotic pop and intricate, layered arrangements.

Tarwater’s thirteenth album, Nuts of Ay, marks the Berlin duo’s first release in a decade. Building on their signature electronic pop sound, the album blends past influences with present-day innovation. The album continues Tarwater’s tradition of reshaping others’ lyrics, including contributions from Derek Jarman, Shane MacGowan, and John Lennon, alongside guest musicians like Schneider TM, Alva Noto, Masha Qrella, and Lars Rudolph. The result is an album that feels both organic and cohesive, where guitars and electronic textures twist together into a dreamlike, atmospheric pop experience.

MASHA QRELLA 

Masha Qrella has been a fixture on the Berlin music scene since the late 1990s. She influenced a local version of post-rock with her instrumental bands Mina and Contriva and later focused on punk rock with NMFarner. Since 2002, the versatile artist has released internationally acclaimed solo albums, composed for film, theater, and radio plays, and licensed her music for US series such as Grey's Anatomy, among others.

Her blend of indie, electronica, and experimental sounds is always new, yet unmistakably Masha Qrella. Her music is a place of longing and vastness, and with each new project she manages to sound surprisingly recognizable. With poetic intimacy and a touching voice, she creates atmospheric soundscapes—at times electronic, at times analog, but always authentic. On her latest album, Songbook (Staatsakt, 2025), she combines baroque, indie pop and cover versions with her own songs, while remaining true to her artistic signature.