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DJ Mag Top100 DJs
91
Paul Kalkbrenner
29

As ever, enigmatic techno producer Paul Kalkbrenner chooses to keep his cards close to his chest, dedicating himself to his music and little else at present. The prolific Kalkbrenner has, once again, been locked away in his studio for a big chunk of 2012, putting the finishing touches to his new album - an activity which has, understandably, eaten up all of his time of late.

Despite this, Kalkbrenner took in a lot of live shows throughout the year, touring heavily around Europe and also playing in Asia and the US, making plenty of festival appearances along the way. An extensive world tour is also promised for 2013. As for new material, the lo-fi tech journey of 'Das Gezabel' - released midway through the year - was the first single to appear on his Paul Kalkbrenner Music label (after leaving BPitch Control at the end of 2009), and the first new material released since 2011's 'Icke Wieder' album. 'Icke Wieder' was, in fact,

Kalkbrenner's first studio album since his soundtrack to the 2008 seminal cult Berlin clubbing flick Berlin Calling (in which Kalkbrenner also played the lead role), a project which still resonates with both Kalkbrenner and wider Germany, it seems; as of summer 2012, 'Sky And Sand' - the film's unmistakably melodic woozy title track - had been in the German Top 100 singles chart for well over 100 weeks, making it the longest-charting track in the country's Top 100 for 35 years. In May, Kalkbrenner announced that he wouldn't be adding further dates to his summer live schedule, in order to work on the new album, due for release in late autumn of 2012. "The recording sessions for the album have absolute priority. It is supposed to be good, isn't it? And you can be sure: it will be worth it," said Kalkbrenner in May. And you know what? We reckon he'll be proved right.