Following the motto "I'm not happy and I'm not sad," the new wave duo Jochen K & Johnny W, consisting of Richard and Robin, dedicates themselves to cathartic self-reflection through melancholic melodies and lyrics born from the uncertainty of human existence. Monotonous drums, gentle synthesizers, and echoing guitars, accompanied by a somber voice, are intended to evoke a sense of loneliness and belonging, because life is nowhere better than in contradictions.
Born from diverse musical backgrounds and founded in 2022, Jochen K & Johnny W pursue a reinterpretation of a melancholic movement that emerged in the 1980s and never fully left the hearts of many beyond the mainstream. With their first single, "Cold & Sober," the duo presents a mix of post-punk beats and guitars paired with electronic soundscapes that encapsulates the unbearable sobriety of life both musically and lyrically. The following EP “Hibernation” follows the same concept, but tries to take different perspectives on the same phenomenon.