wahnschaffe

In the artist's words:

WAHNSCHAFFE make music because they have something to say. No more, no less. Sophia Wahnschaffe and Hanna von Tottleben are not a carbon copy of what one imagines a female duo to be: no smooth surfaces, no pleasing compromises. Instead, there are multi-layered sound architectures, honest lyrics and a live sound that surprises because it is so much more than what you expect.

WAHNSCHAFFE: How two became one band

Sophia Wahnschaffe and Hanna von Tottleben have known each other for a long time, but they only really got together as a duo in 2019. The trigger: a support tour with the Cologne-based indie rock band Neufundland. What was still running as Sophia's solo project with Hanna's support at the time turned out to be a real artistic team on this tour. Both brought something crucial with them.

Sophia graduated from the Cologne University of Music and Dance and brought the craft of songwriting with her. Hanna, trained on bass at the ArtEZ Hogenschool voor de Kunsten in the Netherlands, had also made a name for herself as a producer. Together they were more than the sum of their parts.

They regularly share insights into their world on Instagram and YouTube.

From Courage to Alles Hier: a career with attitude

Their first EP Courage (2020) immediately made a clear statement: self-assertion, empowerment, no room for arbitrariness. The trade press took notice, popNRW nominated her as the best newcomer of the year. With Bumm Bumm Bumm Bumm (2022), the sound continued to grow, and since then the two have been working with Hamburg producer Monti, who also helped shape their debut album.

Alles Hier is their most personal work to date: an album about growing up in conservative communities, about the long, painful and ultimately liberating journey out of religious structures that never really suited them. Sometimes quiet and vulnerable, sometimes euphoric and stormy, the twelve songs explore what it means to choose oneself when one's environment expects something completely different. "Everything here celebrates the power of authenticity and encourages you to courageously follow your own path," they say themselves, and you can hear in every track that this is no empty promise.

What makes WAHNSCHAFFE so special

Delicate guitar work meets vocals full of character, elaborate synth arrangements meet organic percussion and beats that are simultaneously physical and thoughtful. Comparisons with Wallis Bird, Mine or Sophie Hunger are no coincidence, but WAHNSCHAFFE have found their very own sound. Their lyrics are personal without losing themselves and strong without having to be loud.

Support shows for Kelvin Jones, Jupiter Jones, Philipp Poisel and Bruckner, appearances at 1LIVE Heimatkult, c/o pop, Bochum Total and Juicy Beats: the two have not been given their place in the scene as a gift, they have earned it.

WAHNSCHAFFE live: bigger than you think

Anyone expecting two women to deliver a cozy singer-songwriter set on stage will soon be disabused. WAHNSCHAFFE play with multi-layered vocals, multi-instrumentalization and beats that give the sound a size that is rarely experienced with a duo. Their shows are well thought-out, emotional and captivating, and the audience realizes that these are two people who know exactly what they are doing.

Frequently asked questions about WAHNSCHAFFE

1. who is behind WAHNSCHAFFE?

The duo consists of Sophia Wahnschaffe, songwriter and graduate of the Cologne University of Music and Dance, and Hanna von Tottleben, bassist and producer who studied at the ArtEZ in the Netherlands.

2. what is the album Alles Hier about?

The debut album deals with both artists' journey out of conservative, religiously influenced homes. It's an album about letting go, self-discovery and the freedom that comes when you stop being what others expect you to be.

3. do WAHNSCHAFFE sing in German?

Yes, their lyrics are in German, personal and direct, without falling into the clichés of German pop.

4. where can I get tickets for WAHNSCHAFFE concerts?

You can find all current dates and tickets right here. If you haven't seen them live yet, you should do so as soon as possible.