KLINKE: Der Assistent

Der Assistentis the solo project of Berlin-based musician and producer Tom Hessler, also known as the singer and guitarist of the Hamburg band Fotos.
Although Fotos’ fifth album, *Auf zur Illumination!* (2021) was, due to the pandemic, already more of a solo production by Hessler—one that saw Fotos move further away from their indie-rock roots—but as Der Assistent, the musician is once again pursuing a completely different approach and sound. Der Assistent draws musical inspiration from the late 1970s and early 1980s, moving between synth-pop, dub, new wave, yacht rock, Latin pop, and bossa nova. His first singles were released in 2020 and 2021 on the Staatsakt label. Hessler’s lyrics often deal with sadness, loneliness, or pain, but the music’s laid-back groove seems to make these feelings easier to bear. His self-titled debut album was released in 2023. Just one year later, his second album, “Amnesie am Amazonas,” followed, again via Papercup Records. The album, produced by Hessler himself and mixed in collaboration with Olaf Opal, featured guest appearances by Pedro Crescenti (The Düsseldorf Düsterboys, International Music), among others.

August 1–29, 2026
Thu, Fri, Sat – Concerts, 8 p.m.
Wednesdays: DJs & PingPong starting at 6 p.m.
Café & Culture Terrace starting at 4 p.m.

Supported by Perspektive Pop 2.0 as part of thePOPLÄND initiativeofthe Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts, Baden-Württemberg