Berlin-based Neue Deutsch Welle artist Sofia Portanet goes cosmic in her new video “Planet Mars”. The German singer has created quite the buzz around her in the past 12 months—which included a performance at this year’s SXSW Festival in Austin Texas, and the release of her first three singles such as her post-punk infused debut “Freier Geist”, and the English and German versions of her synth-infused new wave road trip “Wanderratte” aka “Wandering Rat“, and “Das Kind”.
Now with the release of her fourth single Planet Mars ahead of her three showcase gigs at Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg. Sofia takes a contemporary twist on Neue Deutsche Welle and post-punk.
The new single Planet Mars—a sci-fi love song—gives us a taste of Sofia’s dramatic vocal style and twists elements of her music which has been compared by some to some German and Austrian artists such as Kraftwerk, Falco, and Nina Hagen.
The is also a fair amount of British and American new wave to be found here as well, such as the vocal theatrics of Lena Lovich combined with the space-cadet weirdness of Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson circa early B-52s.
In fact, Sofia seemingly simulates the classic b-movie science fiction theremin with her vocal acrobatics, brilliantly comparing the wailing sound to the whizzing of a flying saucer.
Sofia explains:
“Planet Mars is a rather untypical heartbreak and goodbye song: it has a dramatic twist and plays with it in a humorous way. Because no matter how hard a heartbreak may be, it’s essential to keep the humour up!”
Watch the video for “Planet Mars” below:
Sofia Portanet has been called “Germany’s next big pop star” by BBC 6Music, awarded “Best Newcomer for 2019” by WDR 1 Live and is part of best newcomer-lists by Red Bull and many more.
“Planet Mars” is out today, Friday the 13th of September on Anglo / Berlin label Duchess Box Records.
Sofia Portanet’s debut album is set to be released in early 2020.
Live:
Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg:
- 18.09 @ Kukuu
- 20.09 @ Grüner Jäger
- 21.09 @ MS Claudia
Other dates:
- 02.10.2019 Nürnberg – Z Bau Birthday, DE
- 12.10.2019 New Fall Festival – Düsseldorf, DE
- 16.11 @ Synästhesie Festival, Berlin
Additionally, Sofia Portanet will be performing in Houston, Texas on November 9th at the Axelrad Beer Garden 1517 Alabama Street, Houston, TX 77004.
This is special show organized by Goethe Institute to celebrate US-German relations since the 30 years of the collapse of the Berlin wall which by chance fell on the day Sofia was born.
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