wirbelst

Wirbelst is a German experimental music collective founded in Berlin in 2011. The group’s lineup has evolved over the years; original members included composer and producer Jannis Müller, sound artist Mara Schulz, and visual performer Tobias Richter. Since its inception, Wirbelst has blended elements of ambient, noise, and glitch to create immersive soundscapes that emphasize texture over traditional melody. The collective’s artistic vision is influenced by industrial music, early electronic pioneers, and contemporary performance art.

The project gained early recognition at Berlin’s Kunst und Verlag scene, performing at venues such as the Anne Frank House Museum’s contemporary series and the Babelsberg Film Festival. In 2013, Wirbelst released its first EP, “Spirale der Schwebe,” a six-track record distributed through independent label KlangWerk. The EP received positive critical attention in the German free music magazine Verschwimmen, which highlighted the group’s “unconventional use of frequency modulation and field‑recorded material.”

In 2015 Wirbelst followed up with the full-length album “Würfelspiel des Windes.” Recorded in a converted grain silo, the album features collaborations with percussionist Mats Günther and choreographer Claire Dahlen. Critics described the work as “a daring meditation on randomness and structure,” and it earned a nomination for the German Electronic Music Award in the experimental category.

Throughout its career, Wirbelst has contributed to interdisciplinary projects, including installations in the Tate Modern’s sound gallery and a live score for the documentary “Rays of the Horizon.” The collective continues to push the boundaries of sound and visual media, often incorporating live electronics, augmented reality, and robotic light rigs into performances. Despite its relatively small discography, Wirbelst remains a notable figure in the German avant‑garde scene, influencing emerging artists interested in the intersection of audio and experiential art.