News

Francisco Ulloa Anasco died September 8th

Ulloa was 85 years old.

He was, among other things, a member of the UNEAC (Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba) and a personality of Cuban music culture. The gifted trumpeter and bandleader was also a professor, researcher, arranger, music composer and a good personal friend. Freibank enabled him to make studio recordings with his seven-piece band 'Piquete Santiaguero' for his only record release 'El Camajan' in 2001. 
We will miss you, Pancho Mambo!!!

Out: album 'Dark Portrait' by Soela

Soela is the DJ and production alias of Elina Shorokhova, a Russia-born Berlin-based experienced pianist and vocalist who has made a hugely impactful transition into electronic music.

Having released material on such labels as Kompakt, Dial, Shall Not Fade, Lost Palms, E-Beamz, Red Ember Records, Sushitech, and others, Soela joins the ranks of Scissor & Thread for this exquisite album 'Dark Portrait'.

The album opens in a typically understated manner with Unsuitable - a melancholic trip-hop adjacent track that sets the tone for the next 8 pieces. As Soela explains, “I was dealing with some very complex feelings, so I came up with this album, which helped me not to despair, to work on myself, to grow internally, and to start listening to myself. It helped me to keep sane when my country invaded Ukraine with a full scale war. It absolutely broke my heart, and music was one of my main salvations.”

This complex mix of emotions plays out across the album with tracks that utilize her beautiful musicality (Through the Windows feat. Francis Harris and Philipp Priebe, Drowning feat. Module One) and ear for details with skittering beats, ambient soundscapes (Spirits, Lost In The Fog) and lose-yourself dancefloor moments such as the collaboration with Lawrence on February Is Not Going To Be Forever. The title track Dark Portrait combines dubby elements with affecting pads and melodic touches, while the lead single Even If I Ask You Stay delves into multiple feelings around escaping toxic situations, and battling depression. It features a powerful vocal from Soela supported by a deeply affecting arrangement. The closing track The Darkest Hour Before Sunrise brings a sense of hope and light, balancing subdued keys and strings with ethereal tones and atmospheres. 

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OUT: new single 'Middleman' by Donskoy

‘Middleman’ is Donskoy’s latest collaboration with Munich’s hit-making producer duo SAIN (Kelvin Jones, Scott Quinn, Trettmann) after ‘SIPPIN’. He wrote ‘MIDDLEMAN’ with the Platinum-certified, Billboard Dance Chart #1 writer Derek Uellenbloom (Graham Candy, DEEPEND) and Megan Ashworth. 'Middleman' is the second of five highly anticipated singles Donskoy is set to release in 2024.

New signing: Basscrime

Hip hop producer Basscrime is the latest signing from Edition Macher Entertainment. The young Berliner can already look back on some notable placements for Haiyti, Fruchtmax, Lacazette and others. 

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New signing: Ikarus

The Berlin producer Ikarus is known for his dark and often hard Phonk beats. Together with Escape on the microphone, he has just released a double album that has further cemented his status as an outstanding producer.

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New signing: Escape

From Mecklenburg-Pomerania to Berlin, from drug addiction and crime via rehab and therapy to a regular 40-hour working week. Escape has travelled an arduous path. But life on minus becomes life on zero, with the prospect of plus. His most recent career is full of confidence, thanks in part to fruitful musical collaborations and rising streaming figures.

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New signing: Yayo Kush

We are more than happy that Berlin-based Rapper Yayo Kush is now part of the Freibank family. 

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OUT: New single 'Sippin' by Donskoy

We are happy to announce the first single 'Sippin' of many to come of our newly signed Artist Donskoy

After focusing on his acting career (The Crown, Barbarians, Vienna Game, and many more) in the last years, he is back producing music. For 'Sippin', Donskoy was joined by Platinum-certified songrwirter Julia Kautz and producer SAIN (Kelvin Jones, Trettman).

His first release in three years, Donskoy sounds completely reinvigorated on 'Sippin'. His voice combines provocative power and suave, seductive charm to topline a heady production which merges the instantaneous hooks of alt-pop with bass-heavy beats inspired by contemporary R&B. The track’s title suggests it’s a song to soundtrack bottle-poppin’ party moments, but it’s actually a metaphor for something far more sensual.

Donskoy says, “It feels so good to go back to what has always been my most real and raw form of expression. Music has always been there for me – in the good times when it feels like the sun is shining everyday through to the moments when you question your entire existence as an artist. Knowing that I’m back to sharing my songs with an audience fills me with joy. It’s about not wanting to stop or be stopped. To keep 'Sippin', on something or someone… I’ll leave that up to the listener’s imagination but it’s definitely a song that’s on the naughtier side. Sometimes all you need is one more sip.”

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