KALTE LIEBE | DE 2025 #01

Kalte Liebe’s story began in 2019, in a small, dimly lit room in Berlin. Armed with nothing but a drum machine, a bass synth, and a microphone, the duo set out to create music that was both visceral and real. There was no grand plan or calculated strategy—just two souls pouring their emotions into a sound that felt undeniably raw. What started as an experiment in minimalism soon grew into something far bigger. The chemistry between them was palpable, and they quickly realized this was more than a one-off project—it was the beginning of something deeply personal and profound. Kalte Liebe isn’t just about music; it’s about moments of pure connection, unfiltered emotion, and a reflection of a world that sometimes feels too chaotic to fully understand.

From the very first beats, Kalte Liebe’s music spoke to a rebellious spirit, one rooted in the essence of punk and underground culture. Their sound—a fusion of New Wave, EBM, and Techno—immediately stood apart, not just for its sonic intensity, but for its emotional depth. The driving rhythms felt like a call to arms, an invitation to let go of inhibitions, to feel something real. In this article, we’ll dive into the heart of Kalte Liebe’s journey: from their humble beginnings to the emotional resonance they’ve cultivated with their fans. It’s a story of growth, of struggle, and ultimately, of an unwavering commitment to creating music that speaks directly to the soul.

The first chapter of their story takes us back to the moment Kalte Liebe was born. In a tiny room in Berlin, where the boundaries of their sound were yet undefined, the duo began their creative journey. What led them to this point? Was it their personal experiences, a shared need to express the unspoken, or the drive to create something completely new? We’ll hear about the raw emotions and influences that shaped their early work and how punk’s rebellious ethos has continued to inform their sound today. It’s a story about stepping outside the norm, challenging expectations, and staying true to themselves as artists.

Next, we explore the emotional journey behind their recent tracks—songs like ‘Tränen stillen keinen Durst’, ‘Immer wenn du fehlst’, and ‘Wegen Dir’. These tracks are not just music; they are an emotional outpouring, blending elements of New Wave and EBM with the energy of Techno. What inspires these songs? Are they born from a specific experience, or do they evolve organically in the studio? We’ll take a closer look at their creative process, diving into the layers of meaning within each track and how they continue to evolve as musicians.

The excitement doesn’t stop there—Kalte Liebe has a collaboration with Caiva that has sparked a lot of buzz. This collaboration feels like a new chapter in their journey, one that promises to push them into fresh sonic territories. How did this collaboration come about? What does Caiva bring to the table, and how does she complement their vision? We’ll explore the chemistry between Kalte Liebe and Caiva and what fans can expect from this exciting new project.

Kalte Liebe’s energy has reverberated through the walls of some of the most iconic venues in electronic music. From Boiler Room to ADE, from Sonne Mond Sterne to RSO, their performances are electric—raw, visceral, and deeply connected to the crowd. How do they prepare for such intense shows? What do they consciously incorporate into their sets to ensure that every performance is not just an event, but a shared experience? We’ll look back on some of their most unforgettable performances and the moments that truly made them realize the power of live music.

And as we look to the future, there’s no shortage of excitement. Kalte Liebe’s sound continues to evolve, pushing boundaries and blending genres in ways that feel both innovative and deeply emotional. What new directions are they most excited to explore in 2025? With upcoming projects, tours, and collaborations on the horizon, we’ll take a sneak peek at what the future holds for Kalte Liebe, and how they plan to continue challenging themselves musically while creating unforgettable experiences for their fans.

This is more than a story about music; it’s about the connection between artists and listeners, about the raw emotion that pulses through every track and performance. Kalte Liebe’s journey is one of authenticity, vulnerability, and a refusal to compromise on their artistic vision. And as their sound continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: they are on a path to create something that will resonate for years to come.

Kalte Liebe's story begins humbly: a drum machine, a bass synth, and a microphone in a modest Berlin room. The stripped-down setup may seem rudimentary, but it was the emotional intensity and creative synergy between the duo that set the foundation for their journey. Reflecting on those early days, Kalte Liebe shared:

“Back in 2019, those early days were wild. We were living this crazy double life, balancing full-time jobs, endless parties, and, of course, the Berlin underground music scene. The setup was minimal—just a few synths, drum machines, and a Soundcraft mixer in a small 12-square-meter room. It was cramped, chaotic, and raw. When we weren't at work, we were either in the studio or out partying, and sometimes both at the same time! That energy – positive and negative—drove us to create something real and honest.”

“After about a year of working in that tiny room, Shenya had to move, so we ended up living together. His new bedroom doubled as our studio, complete with a mattress on the floor and endless cables everywhere. It was from this madness that Kalte Liebe was truly born. We didn’t plan anything – it just kind of happened. One night, after a particularly heavy weekend at Berghain, we started jamming on some sounds, mixing raw emotions with hard beats. There wasn’t one specific “aha” moment, but we knew something special was forming when our first track, “Betäubte Triebe”, got such good feedback from the scene. That was when Kalte Liebe started to take shape. Fun fact: the track was originally called “Kalte Liebe”, we just liked this idea so much that we decided to keep it as a name for our project.”

Their sound has been often linked to the rebellious spirit of bands like DAF (which had a big influence on them) and growing up as outsiders in small German towns, they were drawn to the rawness and emotion of grunge and punk.

“Punk and rebellious energy have always been a part of us, even before we started Kalte Liebe. It was the one place where we felt we could express our frustration and creativity freely. Bands like DAF, with their minimalist and powerful approach, inspired us to channel that energy into our music.” they explained.

Today, that ethos translates into live performances and tracks that pulsate with visceral intensity, proving that simplicity in the setup can lead to profound complexity in sound.

“We weren’t trying to fit in; we wanted to carve our own space, and punk gave us that rebellious attitude.

When we eventually found ourselves in the Berlin rave scene, it felt like a natural evolution. The techno world still had that underground, outsider vibe at the time, a bit off the mainstream radar. We connected with it immediately, and from there, we started blending the rebellious, "do-it-yourself" ethos of punk with the dark, driving rhythms of EBM and techno.”

“To this day, that punk spirit is still very much alive in everything we do. Whether it’s our live shows or our studio sessions, we carry that raw, no-holds-barred energy with us. We don’t overthink or overproduce. We’re about capturing the moment, the emotion, and letting it flow through the music. It’s about staying real, honest, and never losing that edge.”

Tracks like ‘Tränen stillen keinen Durst’, ‘Immer wenn du fehlst’, and ‘Wegen Dir’ have cemented Kalte Liebe's reputation for crafting emotionally charged music. Their ability to seamlessly blend New Wave, EBM, and Techno is a testament to their instinctive approach to storytelling through sound.

On their creative process, the duo shared:

“We often don’t approach the studio with a specific emotional goal in mind. Instead, the music evolves as we work, and the emotions just flow into the sound. For example, “Immer wenn du fehlst” is a deeply personal track about loss. The lyrics came from a poem written long ago, but the emotions behind it still felt fresh when we recorded it. That’s how most of our tracks are born—through raw, unfiltered emotions that just come out naturally during our sessions. We let the music build its world, and our role is just to follow its lead.”

“Sometimes it’s dark and melancholic, like “Tränen stillen keinen Durst”, or filled with tension, like “Wegen Dir”. But none of it is forced. It's more about capturing whatever we're feeling in that moment and translating it into sound. The blend of New Wave, EBM, and Techno is just the perfect vehicle to express these intense emotions.”

This organic method results in tracks that feel deeply personal yet universally resonant.

Their 2023 EP ‘Schall & Schweiß’ stands out as a cohesive exploration of emotion and growth. The duo explained:

“It represents that feeling of being lost in the overwhelming speed of Berlin, where everything around you feels huge and sometimes crushing, but at the same time, there's a strange beauty in it. It's about the experience of existing in a fast-moving, constantly changing world, particularly as artists. There's this push and pull between the pressures of life – existential fears, personal relationships, addiction – and the escape we find in music and creativity”.

“The inspiration came from our lives at that time – constantly moving from gig to gig, being thrown into wild situations, and trying to make sense of it all. One of the tracks was sketched out in a kitchen with just a laptop and a guitar. That’s where a lot of the rawness comes from. We weren’t aiming for perfection; we just wanted to capture the vibe in the moment.”

For Kalte Liebe, each release is a chapter in an ongoing narrative of self-discovery and artistic evolution.

“In terms of our growth, this EP shows how we’re evolving not only as musicians but as people. It’s versatile because we’re exploring new sounds and pushing boundaries, but it’s still cohesive emotionally because all the tracks come from that same raw, honest place. I think it fits perfectly into the larger evolution of Kalte Liebe’s sound – it’s a blend of everything we’ve been through and everything we’re heading toward.”

“The collaboration with Caiva started when I, Andi, heard her track “Vigour” in a set and it completely blew me away. We contacted her right after that because we thought it was amazing and we wanted the track. After that, we started playing her Fatigue EP regularly at our parties at Anomalie and other venues. Her track “Without You” also quickly became one of our favorites. We finally met in person after her debut set at HÖR radio, and not long after that, we just happened to jam together one day. That's when we realized how well our styles harmonized, which led to our first track together. To push things further, we set up our production boot camp in a seaside Air BnB in Finland where we focused on shaping our sound and ideas”.

The news of a potential collaboration with Caiva has sparked significant excitement among fans. Speaking about this project, Kalte Liebe revealed:

“The project with Caiva is something we’ve been building towards for a while now. Without giving too much away, let’s just say it’s a different kind of challenge for us—one that pushes us out of our usual territory. Caiva has this ability to weave her vocals into a track in a way that’s both haunting and hypnotic, and when combined with our sound, it creates something unique. We don’t want to give too much away yet, but fans should expect something more intense and intimate than what they’re used to from us.”

Although the partnership with Caiva arose organically this whole endeavor made them self-aware of the uncharted waters they were getting themselves into. Something challenging, yet absolutely exciting for the duo.

“This project is pushing us into unfamiliar territory, both musically and emotionally. We’ve always thrived on that raw, gritty energy, but with Caiva, we’re finding a way to explore deeper contrasts – light and dark, soft and hard. It's a new challenge for us, stepping out of the purely electronic space and into something that feels more like a sonic narrative. We’re blurring lines between genres, bringing in more live elements, and letting her intoxicating voice guide the way next to Shenya‘s.”

“For us, this project marks a new chapter in our journey. It’s still got the rebellious edge that defines Kalte Liebe, but it’s evolving. We’re taking risks, stepping outside our comfort zone, and that’s where the real magic happens”.

Kalte Liebe's live performances are more than just sets; they are experiences designed to foster deep connections with their audience.

“For us, preparation for a live performance is more about getting into the right mindset rather than following a strict routine. Every show is different, and the energy we bring to the stage depends a lot on how we’re feeling on that particular day. Sometimes it’s the vibe between us, sometimes it’s how we feel physically or mentally. The crowd plays a huge role too—we can only give as much as we’re receiving from the audience”.

They emphasize the importance of spontaneity—adapting their setlist to fit the specific event or venue. Whether performing at Boiler Room or RSO, their goal is to make each performance feel unique, as if it were made just for that moment.

“We’re always looking to create that intimate, almost concert-like atmosphere in a club setting. That’s what makes a Kalte Liebe gig so special – there’s this unspoken connection with the audience, where we’re all feeding off each other’s energy,” they share.

This connection is the foundation of their live performances, where the unpredictability of live vocals and improvisation adds an element of excitement that keeps the crowd on its toes. By allowing the performance to evolve naturally, they create a space where both they and the audience can truly experience the raw, untamed energy of the night.

Creatively, Kalte Liebe refuses to over-plan. The unpredictability of their shows is intentional—each set has the potential to change depending on the vibe of the crowd, the energy of the space, and the mood of the moment. This gives their performances an organic feel, where each show is a living, breathing entity.

“At the end of the day, it’s about creating an experience that feels real and raw, just like the energy of the spaces we’re playing in. If we can make the audience feel that, then we’ve done our job,” they reflect.

With so many memorable performances, there’s no shortage of moments that have left a lasting impact on Kalte Liebe as artists. But one performance stands out above the rest—Fusion Festival. The experience was nothing short of transformative.

“Fusion Festival was hands down the most memorable show we’ve ever played. The atmosphere was breathtaking, unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. The energy from the crowd was unprecedented – it felt like the entire festival was moving in sync with us. After our live set, we ended up doing a spontaneous 4-hour DJ set that kept the vibe going strong, making the entire performance stretch for almost 5 hours and 30 minutes. It was an intense experience, and something shifted in us as artists during that show. It’s one of those performances you never forget.” they recount.

The crowd’s energy was so intense that it felt as if the entire festival was moving in perfect sync with them.

“After our live set, we ended up doing a spontaneous 4-hour DJ set that kept the vibe going strong, making the entire performance stretch for almost 5 hours and 30 minutes. It was an intense experience, and something shifted in us as artists during that show. It’s one of those performances you never forget.”

Another standout moment was their Boiler Room performance, which proved to be a pivotal experience in their journey. Though they faced technical issues that initially threw them off their rhythm, the energy in the room was undeniable.

“Boiler Room was for sure one of the most significant shows for us, but it came with its challenges. We faced some technical issues, which made it hard to find our flow at first. Still, the energy in the room was undeniable, and despite the mental and physical strain, it became a major milestone in our journey”.

The challenges they faced only made the experience more rewarding, and it marked a turning point in their growth as artists.

Club performances have also held a special place in their hearts, with Gotec Club being a particularly unforgettable night. The atmosphere was chaotic in the best possible way, with the crowd constantly pushing them to raise the intensity with every track.

“It was one of those shows where the intensity just kept building, and by the end, both we and the audience were completely drenched and exhausted. It was easily our most electrifying club performance to date,” they recall.

Each performance has its own set of challenges and triumphs, but at the core of every show is the connection with the crowd. Kalte Liebe’s live performances are proof of the transformative power of music and the electrifying bond that can be forged between artist and audience. These shows—whether festival mainstages, iconic clubs, or intimate gigs—capture the essence of what makes their music so special: the raw, spontaneous energy that continues to drive their journey forward.

2025: Evolving the Sound

As 2025 approaches, Kalte Liebe is poised to continue their evolution as artists, pushing the boundaries of sound and exploring new sonic landscapes. With each release, their music has become increasingly unpredictable, blending genres in ways that keep listeners on the edge of their seats. As they look ahead to the new year, the duo is excited to further break conventions, experiment with new sounds, and dive into even more personal and profound themes.

“2025 is going to be an exciting year for us,” Kalte Liebe shares. “We’ve always thrived on blending genres and pushing boundaries, and that’s not going to change—if anything, we’re going to push even harder.”

With their constant evolution in mind, the duo is eager to explore both raw, stripped-back sounds and more experimental sonic territory. They’ve set their sights on crafting music that’s not only innovative but deeply personal, weaving emotional intensity and unpredictability into every note.

“Expect the unexpected,” they tease.

“The emotional intensity and unpredictability will be more real than ever. Our goal is to step out of our comfort zone trying new production techniques and delving deeper into live instrumentation.”

For them, it’s not enough to just create tracks—they want to craft immersive experiences. They aim to leave a lasting impression on listeners, ensuring that their music resonates long after the final note fades. Kalte Liebe’s commitment to pushing boundaries means that their 2025 offerings won’t just be new songs but experiences that immerse the audience in their evolving sonic journey.

Fans can expect more than just a collection of songs in 2025. Kalte Liebe is taking bold steps to challenge themselves creatively, exploring new ways of storytelling through sound. Their goal is clear: to surprise their listeners, shift expectations, and push the limits of what is possible in electronic music.

“Stay tuned, because a lot is coming,” they warn, “and it’s going to hit hard.”

Kalte Liebe is a project that resonates deeply, not just because of their innovative sound, but because of the emotional and cultural narrative they carry. There’s a raw authenticity to their work that feels almost like a reflection of the times—a soundtrack to the complexities of modern life, where feelings of disillusionment, longing, and the search for connection are intertwined. Their music doesn’t just exist as a collection of beats or melodies; it speaks to something more profound, a deep emotional honesty that comes through in every track.

Culturally, Kalte Liebe taps into a space where the energy of underground movements meets the modern electronic scene. Their roots are informed by the rawness of punk and New Wave, yet they channel that energy into something deeply contemporary, melding genres in ways that feel fresh and boundary-pushing. It’s not just about the music; it’s about creating an experience—one that feels unpredictable and alive, something that exists at the moment and belongs to both the artist and the audience.

On a personal level, there’s something incredibly powerful about the way Kalte Liebe approaches their live performances. They’re not just playing tracks—they’re engaging in a shared emotional exchange with their audience. That spontaneity, the connection that happens in real-time, makes their shows feel like a journey, one that evolves with each moment. It’s a reminder that music, at its best, is an experience we all shape together. Kalte Liebe understands that intimately, and they use their performances to break down the barrier between artist and listener, inviting everyone to be part of something larger than themselves.

What I find most captivating about Kalte Liebe is their commitment to personal growth and evolution. They don’t stay static; they challenge themselves, constantly pushing boundaries, whether in the studio or on stage. Their willingness to explore raw, stripped-down sounds while still embracing experimental and emotional depth shows a level of artistic maturity and fearlessness. There’s a sense that every release, every performance, is not just a step forward in their career, but a reflection of their journey, and that’s something truly inspiring.

Culturally and emotionally, Kalte Liebe’s music feels like a pulse—a way to connect, express, and understand the complexities of the human experience, all while staying rooted in the energy of the underground. It’s music that demands to be felt as much as it’s heard, and that’s what makes them so special. They’re more than just a duo making music—they’re crafting a movement, and it’s one I’m excited to see unfold.