Paul Kalkbrenner releases new EP and the film "Cable Man"

The wait for Paul Kalkbrenner's fans is finally over. After years of rare musical releases, the famous Berlin techno producer and actor from Berlin Calling is back with a double surprise: a new EP and a short film, both set to be released this Friday.

Recently, Kalkbrenner's musical output has become increasingly sporadic, with only one remix for Robin Schulz released this year and a single last year. But for his fans, the quality of his productions has always made the wait worthwhile.

In fact, while his brother Fritz Kalkbrenner has maintained a steadier release schedule, with several singles already released in 2024 and an album on the way, Paul has preferred to focus on major live performances, including memorable events at Berlin’s Waldbühne, which attracted over 20,000 spectators, and other open-air shows with nearly 100,000 tickets sold in total.

Now, however, the focus is back on his music. Kalkbrenner’s new EP will include two unreleased tracks, which are not only part of his musical comeback but also accompany an innovative short film titled "Cable Man". The film premiered on October 8, 2024, during the CICLOPE Festival in Berlin, an event dedicated to showcasing the best in cinema, directing, and audiovisual production worldwide.

Directed by Björn Schleifmann and produced in collaboration with Mother Berlin and Smuggler, "Cable Man" tells the story of an enigmatic "Cable Man" who moves among hanging cables, symbolizing his connection to modern society. Through this surreal character, the film explores profound themes such as social alienation and the search for belonging in a world where one encounters both hostility and love. All of this is accompanied by Kalkbrenner's new tracks, which feature no dialogue but convey the emotions and atmosphere of the story through the techno sounds that the Berlin artist has perfected over the years.

The film’s narrative is directly inspired by Kalkbrenner’s experience as a musician and performer. During his live performances, the artist is always surrounded by a series of cables that connect him to his analog instruments, an element that represents his unique musical production technique in a world dominated by digital technology.

In some ways, just like the protagonist of the film, Kalkbrenner is part of a system but at the same time distant from the mainstream, remaining true to his analog roots and artistic vision.

Screen from “Cable Man”. Credits: Mother Berlin, SMUGGLER, Björn Hülsermann. Source: www.ciclopefestival.com

After the screening at Cinema Paris in Berlin, Kalkbrenner and director Schleifmann answered questions from the audience, sharing details about the creative process behind the project and the synergy between music and film. With "Cable Man", Kalkbrenner has once again demonstrated that he is an artist capable of exploring new territories while maintaining his distinctive identity in the techno world.

The release of the film and the EP represents an exciting moment for fans who have long awaited new works from Kalkbrenner. And with this project, Paul—affectionately called Paule by his followers—confirms that his return is worth every moment of anticipation.

Mother Berlin, a creative platform in the capital, also worked on the short film for Paul’s track "Schwer", released in 2023. A brief recap before the new works come out on Friday.

The film "Cable Man" with the soundtrack by Paul Kalkbrenner will be released on October 11, 2024.