Description
Navigating the realms of the experimental electronica landscape, renowned figures Danielle de Picciotto and Phew fuse their unique styles to create ‘Paper Masks.’ Released in 2025 under Mute, the album treads through a captivating soundscape, instilled with thought-provoking ambience that engulfs listeners. The project, shaped from a series of friendly exchanges spanning five years, unravels a blend of potent vocals, with Danielle gracing the tracks in English and her native German, layered over Phew’s refined production skills. One such track, ‘Iceberg,’ is an audacious ensemble of sonically sculpted noise that has an icy aura to it – an intricate piece reimagining harsh weather in a musical light.
Born in Tacoma, Washington, Danielle de Picciotto settled into the vibrant art and music scene of Berlin, Germany, where she carved her influence as a tenacious artist, musician, and filmmaker. Her initiation of the ‘Clubart Movement’ in 1992 established her authority in the artistic realm, which expanded further with her vocal contributions to bands like Space Cowboys and The Ocean Club. Danielle’s dynamic presence in the arts reached a new height with her partnership with Alexander Hacke – the iconic bassist for Einstürzende Neubauten – whom she married in 2006.
Complementing her global recognition as an artist, Danielle’s collaborations with the Goethe Institut delivered a widespread impression of Berlin’s cultural hot spots. She further saw major recognition following her appearance in the documentary ‘In Berlin,’ produced by Michael Ballhaus and Ciro Cappellari.
Danielle de Picciotto’s musical journey is notable for its versatile exploration of genres, redefining boundaries. Her third solo album, ‘The Element of Love,’ presented an intriguing fusion of haunting electronic soundscapes and melancholic violin harmonies released in 2021 to critical acclaim. This ingenuity characterizing her compositions transcends further on her fifth collaboration – Paper Masks – where her spoken word elements seamlessly meld with the experimental and mystical melodies.
This collaborative work with Phew is another testament to Danielle’s musical prowess and her insatiable thirst to capture human experiences in her compositions. As an interdisciplinary artist, she reminded her audience of the persistent struggle of society against corruption and environmental destruction through her previous album, ‘The Element of Love.’ The beautiful juxtaposition of pain and hope in her lyrics invites the listener to reflect and derive strength from adversity.
The American-born musician has seen an illustrious career that has her associated her name with several renowned bands, like Crime & The City Solution and Space Cowboys, paralleling to her active role in promoting Berlin artists, DJs, and musicians. While the world views her as a remarkable musician on an intense quest to capture societal issues in her compositions, Danielle de Picciotto is also an active presence in the art scene, with her work featured in international exhibitions and books.
Paper Masks is a culmination of Danielle de Picciotto and Phew’s unique artistic vision, a project that showcases their mastery in experimenting with diverse music scales. Keeping the listeners on their toes, the album explores ambient textures and sounds, carrying an echo of Berlin’s music and art scene. A testament to Danielle’s artistic prowess and her deep-rooted influence on the Berlin cultural milieu, Paper Masks joins her discography as another extraordinary exploration of the experimental electronica landscape in collaboration with Phew. Whether it’s her solo work or collaborations, Danielle continues to redefine the soundscape with her fresh and provocative approach to music.
