Tag: germany

Enissa Amani Explores Culture and Comedy in Her New Spotify Original Podcast

December 4, 2020

Enissa Amani is a chameleon onstage. The Iranian-born German comedian prides herself on the ability to bend and transform her material for any audience based on location, language, and culture. Now she’s also working this flexibility into a new medium for her debut German-language Spotify Original Podcast, Statements aus Seide (“Statements Made of Silk”). Like her on-stage comedy, Enissa’s new show will cover a range of topics from feminism to fashion. “I want to share the moments which all mankind has in common: the pain, the fears, the desires,” says Enissa.

As the first German comedian with a stand-up special on Netflix, she’s honed her craft—expect plenty of laughs. But in Statements aus Seide, Enissa will also share thoughtful deliberations on her life growing up as an Iranian refugee in Germany, her work as a social justice advocate, and whatever else is on her mind—all in 30- to 60-minute episodes.

Enissa spoke with For the Record about performing in different languages, her activism work, and creating her own podcast.

What can fans of your comedy stand-up expect from the podcast?

In my podcast I’ll touch upon all the issues I have not yet touched upon onstage. I’ve told my stories a few times when I was a guest on other podcasts, and the feedback was tremendous. People who hadn’t even followed my work told me that my point of view was extremely helpful to them.

Over the years, I wrote down every story of my family, my friends, and book quotes which inspired me. Those words can offer people a real way out of hopeless moments. This will be a funny podcast—an honest hour to let you begin or end your day with a smile. 

How has your background as an Iranian immigrant informed your comedy?

Being an Iranian refugee child and being trilingual helps me to approach people on different cultural levels. And every time I perform, I am a different kind of Enissa. The Berlin Show Enissa is a much rougher comic than the LA, Hollywood, Laugh Factory Enissa, who is more into the German-Persian Background Stories. The New York Enissa is much cooler than the Farsi show in Vienna, where Iranians are just starting to get into stand-up.

I get to taste all these different moments of laughter and try very different stand-up materials. 

As refugees, or “first-generation Germans,” we are torn apart between identities, but every kind of conflict always helps with comedy. 

What’s your life been like since your Netflix special premiered?

My specials changed my work. I started playing shows in three languages. I had the honor to have stage time at the Laugh Factory in LA, and the Improv, the Gotham, and the Comedy Cellar in New York. All stages I had never dreamed I’d be able to perform in a language which is not my first. I also play Farsi shows in Germany, Austria, and the UK. 

You’re not afraid to share your opinions on issues like racism and inequality. How did comedy become an outlet for you to share these thoughts? 

I’m really surprised that my activism for human rights and against racism here in Germany kind of got bigger than my work as a comedian. In the beginning, everybody told me to “stick with comedy” whenever I was outspoken about problems in our society. Now all my statements go viral with 12,000 comments sometimes, and everybody asks me to seriously get into politics. There is this running gag of my followers calling me “the chancellor.”

I love the fact that everything that your heart tells you to do—if you have the courage to follow that voice—becomes your real vocation or even destiny. 

What would you like people to take away from your podcast? 

I’m going to share my most intimate stories, experiences, and inspirations on my podcast because I know it will help through dark times. Every smile you can inspire is a smile you‘ll create for the world.

Ready to get to know a new Enissa? Check out the first of 13 episodes of ‘Statements aus Seide’ below.

Luisa Neubauer Presents the Human Side of Climate Change in the New Spotify Original Podcast ‘1,5 Grad’

November 18, 2020

In 2019, Luisa Neubauer emerged as one of the public faces of the youth-led movement to combat global warming, powering the Fridays for Future climate strikes in Germany. Now, she’s taking her knowledge and combining it with a call for urgency, empowerment, and action through a new platform: podcast.

Her new Spotify Original podcast, 1,5 Grad, or “1.5 Degrees,” which launched last week, is already the number one German show on Spotify’s trending charts. In each impactful episode, Luisa speaks to leading scientists and activists who explain the ways in which climate change is impacting our world. Throughout the show, she explores the issue in-depth with the people on the ground fighting the devastation.

“The climate crisis is usually perceived as a crisis of the climate,” Luisa says. “It’s not. It’s a crisis of people. The climate will be fine—we won’t.”

For the Record sat down with Luisa to talk about the meaning of 1.5 degrees; Fridays for Future, the youth-led climate movement; global warming as a social issue; and more.

How did creating a podcast fit into your climate activism work? How does its impact differ from a march or rally?

What I do, and so many others do, is fight for the people and their right to grow old on a safe planet, no matter where they live. Yet this is not the story that is being told. With this podcast I wanted to tell the stories of the people, to dig deep. And to allow myself to approach the climate crisis with curiosity and empathy. I usually organize and mobilize for rallies. This podcast hopefully doesn’t just inform, but inspires people to take the crisis personally and to start understanding oneself as part of the solution.

Can you explain the title of the podcast? What is the significance of 1.5 degrees?

1.5 degrees Celsius is the global compromise that was made by signing the Paris Agreement. On a diplomatic level, the fact that there is such an international agreement is incredible. It is also where the world community is drawing the line in terms of destruction and suffering. And it is also the only guarantee for younger generations that promises them to grow old on an inhabitable planet. The science is very clear about the kind of danger zone we enter once we pass 1.5. This is what I committed to fight for, alongside so many others.

What can listeners expect in each episode?

I take people with me, bring them to experts, thinkers and activists, invite them to our conversation. It’s gonna be more emotional than a science podcast, more interactive than a discussion podcast. To me, this podcast feels like the listeners, the team and I, alongside my guest, sign up to an exploration.

What do people misunderstand about the climate justice movement?

Well the climate crisis is one gigantic injustice, and it produces more injustices. When we ask ourselves why exactly we are doing this, why we are fighting, why we are committing all our time to this—we inherently talk about justice. Those who are affected today, those at the front line, we refer to them as MAPA (most affected people and areas); they are the ones who remind us every day that Fridays for Future is not that much about the future as it is about the present. It’s about the very present threat the climate crisis is posing to those who are often overlooked yet should be listened to.

How is climate justice an issue of social equality as well?

The climate crisis is sometimes perceived as an issue of the elites who don’t have any other problems to care about. This is not only a misleading, but a dangerous framing. As the climate crisis escalates, it is posing more and more injustices to the ones who are already marginalized by race and gender. Engaging in real, sustainable, and just climate action is essential for real social equality.

What do you want listeners to take away after hearing the podcast?

I just really hope people ask themselves very honestly: What is my role in this crisis? Am I really doing everything I can? What is the story I will once tell about where I was, when we knew everything we needed about this crisis—and also knew there was still time to fight it?

What actions do you recommend for someone looking to get involved in climate justice for the first time?

Climate strike! Join an organization! Talk about it! Call your local politician about it! Spread the word. But mostly: climate strike and believe in yourself. Everyone counts. The power of people works when people start taking themselves seriously. That is what we ask you to do.

Check out the first episode of 1,5 Grad and watch for new episodes the second Tuesday of every month.

German LGBTTIQ* Podcasters Make Their Voices Heard Through SoundUp 2020

October 23, 2020

Every year, Spotify’s SoundUp program helps aspiring podcasters from underrepresented backgrounds gain the expertise they need to create their own podcast. The only criteria? A good idea and a big dream. This year in Germany, 20 aspiring LGBTTIQ* podcasters were chosen out of 300 applicants to take part. Those selected got a chance to start their podcasting journey through the seven-week virtual program, honing their skills in storytelling, designing a podcast, editing audio, and learning the business of the medium. 

By the end of the program, three of the participants, Fabio, Taiina aka Maria Moschus, and Tai were declared the winners. Their podcasts consist of topics such as “tracing and connecting your identity as a queer Polish-German person,” “personal stories of drag artists around the world,” and “safe spaces for marginalized groups in nerd culture.” Over the next six months, they will each have regular check-ins as part of a mentorship program, and will eventually have the opportunity to pitch their format as a Spotify Original podcast. 

Check out what each winner had to say:

Fabio: “I was able to learn a lot not only from the numerous experts in sound, technology, language and concept development, but also from the 20 absolutely horizon-expanding participants that Spotify brought together. For this experience a huge thank you to all of you—you have made the year 2020 a lot sweeter for me!”

Taiina aka Maria Moschus: “I am super happy to finally share these exciting stories with the world! There is still a lot of work ahead of me, but I am really looking forward to the day of release. Who knows, maybe we will celebrate it with a drag show!” 

Tai: “My podcast idea was born shortly before the deadline out of frustration at the spaces I move around in. It’s incredible that I’ve gotten so much good feedback since my first application interview—which made me very proud again at the end of the pitch. This gives me confirmation as a person, because I put everything into my podcast idea that makes me special. Especially as a trans* person, working only with the voice makes me vulnerable.” 

Three participants from SoundUp 2019 who already have their own podcasts on Spotify were also involved in the 2020 program, serving as mentors and sharing practical tips on creating a successful podcast. We asked them a little bit about what’s changed from SoundUp 2019 to now.

Madita 

Podcast: Gay Mom Talking

“By now I have become a lasting part of the queer podcast world! Having produced 25 episodes made me get used to some kind of relaxed podcast routine and I am grateful for many loyal listeners. However, some interviews still make me a little nervous, but I usually feel very comfortable in my role of a podcast host which I have been for more than a year now.

In the last year I have learned a lot—both about podcasting and myself. My podcast project has even helped me to grow a bit personally. I can now make many new private and professional contacts and I am proud of having achieved what I intended with my podcast.”

Fabian

Podcast: Somewhere Over The Hay Bale

“My political opinion on queer life in the countryside becomes more clear and profound. My podcast does not only stand for visibility, but also for the constant demand of creating safety and safe spaces for “coming outs” and queer life in rural areas. Many people helped me share my point of view and I am very grateful for that. I enjoy being an advocate for these matters, receiving messages from people all over Germany—I have the feeling that my podcast and the inherent mission develops into more than just an audio file, which feels great.”

Sung Un

Podcast: BIN ICH SÜßSAUER?

“Before SoundUp 2019, I knew nothing about podcast production and what potential there was in the podcast world. Also, I was not sure if anybody would be interested in stories of queer Asian people living in Germany, since we are seldom visible in the media. Through the mentoring and lectures provided by SoundUp, however, I learned not only technical skills necessary to start my own podcast, but also developed the confidence in me that life stories of queer Asians do matter and my podcast would connect people across boundaries. As I produced the first interview of Bin Ich Süßsauer?, I stubbornly tried to stick to what I learned from SoundUp, especially regarding the length of the episode. Very soon, however, I learned that life stories needed more time to be told and people were ready to take time to listen to them. Today, I have a growing number of audience and I am grateful that they share their enthusiasm with me via mails and messages.”

Spotify’s SoundUp is held in the U.S., UK, Germany, Australia, and now Sweden and Brazil. The program assists aspiring podcasters from underrepresented backgrounds in gaining the expertise they need to create their own podcasts. Read more about it here.

In the German market, LGBTTIQ* stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer; the asterisk represents unnamed identities. 

Meet the Individuals Shaping the World in ‘Der Sandra Maischberger Podcast’

September 18, 2020

Podcasts have a long history in Germany, which makes them ripe for innovative new formats and groundbreaking conversations. With our latest German Spotify Original, Der Sandra Maischberger Podcast, the award-winning journalist Sandra Maischberger ventures into a world of leading interviews with curiosity and creativity—without shying away from uncomfortable questions.  

In each episode of her new show, Sandra will interview guests from across arts and culture, science and research, politics, economics, and media who have shaped and continue to shape the country and the world. As a host and journalist, she’ll be open and respectful as she pushes the interviewees to consider not just their own lives and work, but their roles and influence outside of their immediate circles. German-speaking listeners can look forward to a refreshing, honest listening experience that will leave them thinking about the conversations long after the episode is over.

We talked to Sandra about her own podcasting interests, the inspiration for her new show, and guests to look out for.

Spotify’s ‘Sandra’ Podcast Goes Global—and Local—With ‘Sara,’ ‘Susi,’ ‘Sonia,’ and ‘Sofia’ Debuting in France, Germany, Mexico, and Brazil

July 6, 2020

In April 2018, Gimlet (now a Spotify company) launched Sandra, a seven-part fictional drama depicting a world where artificial intelligence isn’t so artificial. With big names (and voices) like Alia Shawkat (Helen), Kristin Wiig (Sandra), and Ethan Hawke (Dustin), the show launched to critical acclaim. And due to its relevant themes of technology, security, and self-actualization, Spotify deemed it a story worth telling listeners around the world. 

So on Tuesday, July 7, Spotify and Gimlet will premiere an exclusive localized version of the Sandra podcast in four markets: France, Germany, Brazil, and Mexico. The show has not only been translated into each local language—it’s also been specially adapted via a culturally relevant name (Sara in France, Susi in Germany, Sonia in Mexico, and Sofia in Brazil), a customized storyline, and more.

Other podcasts have been translated, but these Sandra adaptations will be the first truly localized adaptations ever made of a hit fictional podcast. The Spotify Studios teams in France, Germany, Brazil, and Mexico have worked with local directors to adapt the script, cast local talent, and reimagine the podcast with an appreciation for local culture, language, and nuance. In each market, the podcast has an A-list cast mixed with traditional TV and film actors as well as digital creators and influencers. 

Take a look at the names behind each market’s version and the unique spin the creators have taken to make it their own.

France — Sara

  • Starring Virginie Efira as Sara (Sandra), Natoo as Helen, and Stéphane De Groodt as Dustin
  • Biggest change for Sara: “The geographical localization of the story is a change which required a lot of thinking. We needed to find the French equivalent of Helen’s hometown, a small city with little perspective and excitement. But it also needed to fit the story’s actions in a realistic manner. Which French city is close enough to a prison so that you can go and come back in a day as Helen does when she visits her husband? This is how Guymon became Ruffec, in the French region of Charentes.” – Claire Hazan, Head of Studios, France & Benelux
  • Biggest challenge for Sara: “Keeping the original rhythm and dynamic of a scene is something that can be tricky when changing languages. The words can be longer or shorter, they can impact how a sentence feels, the duration of a whole scene and, in the end, the pace of the story. We chose to work with a production studio who developed a very specific creative response to that issue. They created a tool which synchronizes the soundwave of the original English-speaking audio and the words in French. It has greatly helped our actors to find the right tone and rhythm for their acting.” – Claire Hazan, Head of Studios, France & Benelux

Germany – Susi

  • Starring Martina Hill as Susi (Sandra), Almila Bagriacik as Sara (Helen), and Bastian Pastewka as Jens (Dustin)
  • Biggest change for Susi: “All the little details that will make it authentic to the German audience. For example, the big change is in where the story is set and things you can hear in the background—watch out for the TV program in one scene.” – Saruul Krause-Jentsch, Spotify Head of Studios Germany
  • Biggest challenge for Susi: “We ended up casting quite big names even for the smallest roles which, obviously, made scheduling and recording difficult from time to time. But after hearing the result, that was all worth it.” – Saruul Krause-Jentsch, Spotify Head of Studios Germany

Mexico – Sonia

Brazil – Sofia

  • Biggest change for Sonia and Sofia: “This is our first podcast project on a global scale on Spotify. Our expectations are high with Sonia in Mexico and Sofia in Brazil.” – Javier Piñol, Head of Spotify Studios in Latin America and U.S. LatinX audiences
  • Biggest challenge for Sonia and Sofia: “Our main challenge when it comes to adapting a global project is that it doesn’t always allow you to introduce some local tones and nuances, but when we decided that Sandra would go global, we agreed on one common goal: to adapt it to the local culture. And that’s exactly what we did by having a local production and casting these talents. The result couldn’t be better.” – Javier Piñol, Head of Spotify Studios in Latin America and U.S. LatinX audiences

The Sandra adaptation marks a podcasting milestone across the world. “Spotify is uniquely positioned to grow podcasting globally, but we know our customers also want authentic local programming,” says Courtney Holt, Global Head of Studios and Video, Spotify. “Adapting Sandra is a great example of that. By thinking and programming locally, and using our creative teams on the ground in each market, we’re able to develop a show that feels like a German, or French, or Mexican, or Brazilian podcast, rather than a translation. Sandra was also Gimlet’s first scripted podcast when it launched in 2018. The fact that podcasting, and specifically Sandra, has drawn such a group of A-List talent in each market is also a great endorsement of the medium growing at a global scale.”

Missed out on the original? Stream Sandra below.

Germany’s Zoe Wees Owns Her Journey on Powerful Debut Single

July 6, 2020

Photo credit: Svenja Blobel

Every artist dreams of penning a breakthrough track—one that opens all the right doors. The 18-year-old German singer-songwriter Zoe Wees hit that benchmark with her very first single, “Control,” a vulnerable ballad centered on plaintive piano and a powerhouse vocal performance.

Since its release in March, the song has charted on Spotify’s Viral 50 in dozens of countries, and between “Control” and her guest feature on Hamburg duo Moonbootica’s 2019 single “Hibernating,” Zoe has already secured more than 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify. 

“It feels like I’m dreaming,” Zoe tells For the Record. “It’s unbelievable how much feedback I get every day.”

And now, Zoe has been picked to represent Germany in Spotify’s global emerging artist program, RADAR. The program features artists from over 50 markets worldwide and helps performers at early stages of their careers broaden their fan bases. Awareness of the artists is built through Spotify’s social channels, RADAR playlists curated by Spotify’s editors, and bespoke marketing initiatives.

“It’s a great honor for me to be part of the program,” Zoe says. “Spotify helped me to build my fan base from scratch and helped me reach people from all over the world who can relate with my story. They discover me on Spotify and reach out to me on my social media channels to tell me how much they like it. That’s magical, and I’m very grateful for that.”

Part of Zoe’s success lies with her ability to connect with listeners. “Control” is a deeply emotional song with lyrics that are relatable to anyone who’s ever struggled with anxiety and the feeling of not being in control. The lyrics actually draw from something much more specific in Zoe’s life: her prolonged struggle with benign rolandic epilepsy (BRE), a condition in some children that causes nighttime seizures strong enough to wake them. Though BRE often resolves itself during puberty, its formative effects on a child can linger well into adulthood.

“This disease had me fighting for years with problems like helplessness and exclusion from a very young age,” Zoe explains. “The sickness was stronger than me and left scars that have become part of my life. Accepting them has taken so much time, but they make me what I am today: a fighter. ‘Control’ is not only the story of the end of a long struggle for me, but also the beginning of leaving my past behind.”

Dedicated to a teacher who helped her through the darkest times of her condition, “Control” finds Zoe taking ownership of her story in a way that allows her to move on. “I’m so happy that I can finally tell the story of the most important and also the most difficult phase of my life,” she says. “Even though it was painful to write, it was also very healing. The whole process was therapeutic, giving me an opportunity to contain the fear and to deal with the pain.” 

As “Control” continues to wow new listeners, Zoe will be working on a follow-up track. And while the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the touring she had planned for this year, it hasn’t slowed the song’s prodigious rise online—especially on Spotify.

Listen to Zoe’s single, “Control.”

German News Anchor Linda Zervakis Celebrates Diversity in Her New Spotify Original Podcast, ‘Linda Zervakis präsentiert: Gute Deutsche’

June 15, 2020

German news anchor Linda Zervakis likes to describe herself as a “Hamburg native with Greek roots.” Due to her family’s experience with immigration and what she calls her “migration background,” she has a frankness around multinationalism and an interest in diversity that she brings to all aspects of her life. Now the journalist and author is taking her passion to a new medium in the Spotify original podcast Linda Zervakis präsentiert: Gute Deutsche.

In each episode, a well-known guest will join Linda to share their family’s story of migration and the formative role of their homeland. The show also tackles tougher topics, like stereotypes and misconceptions. While these conversations at times are serious, Linda always approaches them with her signature lightheartedness and humor. Through deep dives into the culture, politics, and history of the guest’s origin country, the podcast aims to prove that all of us, no matter where we’re from, are more alike than we are different.

For the Record caught up with Linda to talk about what she hopes listeners will take away from Gute Deutsche.

Your podcast challenges people’s perceptions of individuals and stereotypes about the country their families migrated from. Why is this so important? 

The podcast is meant to help break down stereotypes about people who come from different countries. Hopefully, this will show listeners that having people from different nationalities in your life is enriching for both people and society.

You’re very open about the background that you and your family come from. What has been the response to that?

I’m often contacted on social media by people who tell me that my story has given them courage. They know that I come from a simple upbringing and that I have made it this far despite my parents’ background. Growing up, I never thought I would be a role model for so many people.

You have a segment called “The Pearl from Afar” where guests bring with them something that reminds them of their journey from one country to another—what you would refer to as a “pearl.” What is yours?

I would definitely bring mixed Greek appetizers. Among them would be white beans in tomato sauce, grilled octopus with olive oil and fresh lemon, and fava, a Greek version of hummus made from yellow flat peas as well as fresh spring onions and parsley. And for washing it all down afterwards: a good ouzo. (Thinking about this made me hungry again immediately!)

What do you hope listeners will take away from this podcast?

I hope that we can bring a lightheartedness into difficult topics and that we can show that a colorful, diverse society is enriching to everyone.

Podcasts have traditionally featured primarily male voices. What advice do you have for aspiring female podcasters who may be nervous about entering this industry? 

Believe in yourself and your podcast; don’t let statistics scare you.

If you could have any guest on your show, who would it be and why? 

Edin Hasanovic. He was born in the middle of the Bosnian war, grew up without a father, and is so talented and has a great career. To me, that’s more than impressive.

What podcasts are you streaming lately?

I’m a fan of Fest & Flauschig and also listen to Hotel Matze from time to time.

What was the most surprising thing you learned while recording the show?

I learned that home does not have to be a place, but instead a feeling. This feeling can arise when you have family and friends around you that you don’t have anywhere else in the world.
 

Check out the trailer for Linda Zervakis präsentiert: Gute Deutsche below.

Spotify Supports Underrepresented Podcasters With ‘Sound Up,’ Now in the US, UK and Ireland, Germany, Australia, Sweden, and Brazil

June 1, 2020

If you’ve ever dreamed of creating your own podcast, this is your chance. Spotify’s Sound Up program, now in its third year, is designed to uplift and amplify the voices of aspiring podcasters from underrepresented backgrounds through education, workshops, and support. Applications for Spotify’s Sound Up 2020 program are now available in the US, with applications for other countries rolling out soon.

Through the workshop, participants will learn the ins and outs of developing and producing their very own podcasts. We’ve seen a huge interest in the program, with 20,000+ applications submitted over the past three years. Ultimately, 60 people have completed the program throughout the UK, Australia, the US, and Germany. Ten of those graduates have since launched their own shows, and three now have Spotify Original podcasts on the platform. To celebrate our graduates’ success, we’ve put several of their podcasts all in one place.

This year’s program, however, will look a little different. Due to the challenges of gathering during this unprecedented time, Sound Up will be divided into two phases. First up is a virtual four-week course that will take place later this year. To ensure everyone has equal access to technology, we’ll be providing computers, WiFi access, and podcast recording equipment to participants. Then, those who demonstrate a particular knack for podcasting will be invited to a future in-person training where they will further develop their ideas.

But that’s not the only new thing in store. Sound Up is also making its grand debut in two countries—Brazil and Sweden—in an effort to bring Sound Up to even more individuals. In Sweden, the program is aimed at women and non-binary people who may experience racism because of their skin color, culture, language, religion, or ethnicity. Applications in Brazil, will be open to young people of color from the Periferias, or outskirts of big cities.

Twenty applicants from each participating country will be chosen to take part in the four-week online program. During that time, they’ll start their podcasting journeys, honing their skills in  storytelling, designing a podcast, editing audio, and learning the business of the medium. At the very end, participants will leave with the tools they need to create a trailer for their show.

This year’s U.S. session will be facilitated by longtime collaborator and Sound Up veteran, Rekha Murthy. She will be joined by co-facilitator Maria Murriel of the production house Pizza Shark.

Thinking about applying but don’t have podcasting experience? Not to worry. To be a part of the program, you don’t need any prior podcasting experience, just something unique to say and a desire to use podcasts to say it. (Plus, you must be a resident of the country where you’re applying and self-identify as a member of the community being served in that country.)

U.S. residents can now apply for this year’s Sound Up here. Those in Sweden, Germany, and Brazil can apply later this month, and applications for the U.K. and Ireland will be available in August. The program will be offered to women and non-binary people of color in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland, and Sweden; young people of color from the Periferias in Brazil; and members of the LGBQTI community in Germany. We can’t wait to hear what these new podcasters have to share.

Applications are now available for residents in the US . Interested applicants in other countries should stay tuned for more updates.

Apache 207, Juju, Summer Cem, and More Headline Live Modus Mio Concert

December 17, 2019

For the second year in a row, hip-hop fans in Germany had the opportunity to witness a favorite Spotify playlist, Modus Mio, come to life on the big stage.

In honor of the playlist—which has over 1.3 million followers—Spotify brought some of the biggest names in the German hip-hop game to the Warsteiner Music Hall in Dortmund on December 14. For the second annual “Modus Mio Live On Stage,” artists including Kreuzberg phenomenon Ufo361, Juju, Summer Cem, Azet, KALIM, and Apache 207 performed many of their chart-topping hits for an über-enthusiastic crowd.

Your Daily Podcasts Playlist Makes Finding Your Next Favorite Show Easier Than Ever

November 19, 2019

You’ve just binged your favorite podcast and you’re finally caught up. But now you have to wait an entire week until the next episode. Now what? With so many great podcasts on Spotify, it can be hard to know what to listen to next. Thanks to our latest personalized playlist, it’s now easier than ever. 

Spotify transformed music discovery with playlists like Discover Weekly and Daily Mix. Now we’ve created Your Daily Podcasts—our first daily personalized podcast playlist that gives users an easy way to discover new shows while also keeping up with old favorites. If you’ve listened to at least four podcasts in the past 90 days, you’ll find the playlist in the “Your Top Podcasts” shelf on Home or in the “Made For You” hub on browse.

Here’s how Your Daily Podcasts works:

  1. Spotify’s algorithms analyze your podcast behavior—like recent streams and follows.
  2. Then, based on your listening history and the podcast type, we’ll recommend the next best episodes for you.
  3. That might be the next sequential episode in a podcast you’re already listening to (think Dog Tales and How’s Work with Esther Perel), a recent stand-alone evergreen episode in another show (maybe Amy Schumer Presents: 3 Girls 1 Keith or Certified Buckets), or a timely episode from a daily updating podcast (like Horoscope Today or The Journal).  
  4. Don’t worry—no spoilers here! If you’ve never listened to a story-driven sequential show we think you’d like, you’ll get the trailer or pilot episode first—to see if it catches your eye (er, ear).

Free and Premium users in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Sweden, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can check out their Your Daily Podcasts playlist, now available on Spotify.

Daily Drive Launches in Germany

October 8, 2019

Whether you’re racing between Berlin and Hamburg on the Autobahn or gazing at the countryside from the train window, it may feel like you’re always in transit. To help make that time fly by, stay up to date on the world around you, and maybe rock out to some metal classics, take a listen to your Daily Drive.

The Spotify playlist,* now available in Germany, combines the very best of news talk shows, including the relevancy and personality of the hosts, with the best of audio streaming (on demand, personalized playing and discovery). It combines music you love with relevant, timely world updates from reputable sources – all put together in a seamless and unified listening experience.

Get revved up for a personalized audio feed that blends music and news in one place for the perfect commute experience. Included at launch:

  • Short-form podcast news updates from Deutschlandfunk: Nachrichten, Spiegel Update, and Zeit Online: Was jetzt?
  • A mix of your favorite songs and artists interspersed with tracks you’ve yet to discover
  • Updates throughout the day to keep both the music and news fresh
  • An escape from toggling between multiple stations to avoid music that isn’t quite your speed

Whether en route to work or school, German users can make the most of their time on the road by tuning-in to Daily Drive starting today. Map your way to spotify.com/dailydrive.

*Earlier this year, Your Daily Drive launched in the US. You can learn more here.

6 Questions (and Answers) with Michael Krause, Managing Director, Spotify Central Europe

September 26, 2019

One of the most-streamed podcasts on Spotify isn’t a daily news update or a true crime saga. It’s Fest & Flauschig, a current-events comedy show hosted by two German radio hosts—in German. The show came to Spotify in its current iteration in May 2016 and is now one of several German podcasts high on Spotify’s global streaming charts.  

On the heels of the release of Spotify Exclusive popular podcasts Herrengedeck and Gemischtes Hack, we sat down with Managing Director, Spotify Central Europe, Michael Krause, to get his thoughts on why German listeners connect with podcasting like no one else.

Earlier this year, we announced our audio-first strategy. Within your market, what would you say are the most exciting or interesting trends that you’re seeing?

Germany was a diverse audio market from the very beginning, with our users listening to both music and audiobooks. That began to pave the way for an audio strategy or an audio focus for us even before it was the global direction.

Now in Germany, there’s a new original podcast episode being released every day. So there has been a lot of habit-forming, or ritualizing. People like to listen at a certain time or while doing a specific chore. Daily podcasts, like what Parcast is doing in the U.S. with Horoscope Today and Today in True Crime, could be very interesting here because podcast listening is such a part of the everyday routine.

We’re also seeing really big talents moving into the medium. And it’s not limited to people who can express themselves visually like streaming stars or TV hosts—it’s also great for authors, for example, who now have a new channel for their creative output.

Finally, I’m excited to see popular podcasts from other markets, like Sandra, be adapted for our German audience. It demonstrates that we can leverage global synergies in the podcast space.

Over the summer you spoke at the Publisher Business Conference in Hamburg, focusing on Spotify as a marketplace for podcast creators. What advantages do you see that we can offer creators that other companies aren’t able to?

We always hear from podcast creators that all the data and insights we give them are very, very helpful. On many other platforms, they don’t know how many streams they have, or at what point people stopped listening during the episodes. We have all the analytical tools for partners. Our creator team was very fast in making Spotify for Podcasters because we learned from Spotify for Artists.

Unlike in the music industry, there is no big podcast community that meets on a regular basis in Germany. This is why we’ve held various master classes and industry events that connect people in the podcasting field. For us, it’s very important that we bring the industry together and provide thought leadership and inspiration for our creator partners. 

What do you think it is about podcasts that makes them so popular among users in Germany?

Many Germans actually grow up listening to audiobooks and audio plays. I peeked a bit into the history, and because the theaters had been bombed after World War II, people had no access to entertainment. Radio then picked up audio plays. Those were very successful, and later they were released on cassettes and CDs. Today, children grow up listening to hours and hours of audio content. Even adults are listening to these audio plays on Spotify to relax, enjoy sweet childhood memories, or fall asleep.

I also think podcasts are successful here because they’re very authentic and truly personal, like Paardiologie with Charlotte Roche for example. I think it touches people in a way that’s more than just watching a video clip or other news formats. So it’s definitely something that is working very well because it feels like you’re part of something intimate and interesting.

What do you view as the primary or key headwinds that you and the market face?

I’d say mobile network connections. It might sound a bit odd because Germany is an industrialized country. But in terms of mobile data, we’re like a developing country. We don’t have mobile data coverage in many parts of the country. And the price for data is also very high.

We’ve spoken a lot about podcasts—what are some surprising music trends in your market?

In the German market, physical music still makes up 35% of revenues, which means people are still buying CDs in Germany. It’s a bit like Japan—we are late-bloomer markets. It’s only been in the last one or two years that we have achieved this level of change from physical to digital music consumption, and only this year that streaming has become the largest source of income for the industry.

Unsurprisingly, German hip-hop is a very important part of the culture, but we are now focusing on more diverse electronic pop and alternative rock genres. That’s why we have also launched a new flagship playlist called OFF POP. But Modus Mio (the equivalent of RapCaviar) is still going very strong, and in fact we’re putting Modus Mio live onstage for the second time with a big event on December 14 in Dortmund.

If we took a look at your recently played list, what would we find right now?

In my commute this morning from Hamburg to Berlin, I listened to the latest episode of Ja Ja Nee Nee, which is one of our newest Spotify Original Podcasts. It has this German author (think a German Nick Hornby) who’s speaking to a younger actor, and they talk about everyday life. They approach their topics in a very philosophical but fun way. So even things like office supply products can become magical topics when discussed by our very special anchors. 

Take a listen to OFF POP, Spotify’s latest flagship focusing on great music outside the mainstream, to get a feel for the current flavor of Central Europe.