Paul Kalkbrenner

Paul Kalkbrenner

Paul Kalkbrenner is a producer, DJ and actor from Leipzig, Germany. Born in 1977, he works in electronica, minimal techno and techno, and is associated with the label Cadeaux and with Bpitch Control, which is founded by Ellen Allien.

He starts out as a trumpet player and studies music theory before moving into electronic music. In 1999 he releases his first tracks under the name Paul dB+.

As a live performer, he uses Ableton Live alongside MIDI controllers and hardware synthesizers. He also works in film: in 2008 he composes the soundtrack for the German film Berlin Calling and appears as the lead actor in it. The film’s theme song, “Sky and Sand”, features his brother Fritz Kalkbrenner and appears in several European charts.

His early chronology includes trumpet and music theory lessons from 1985 to 1990, first performances at an East Berlin youth club in 1992/93, DJ work at venues including Walfisch, Exit/Kitchen, Vereinsheim, Praxis Dr. Mc Coy and Halle Weissensee in 1994/95, buying his first production equipment in 1996, and work as an editor, operator and producer for the German TV stations ARD, ZDF, RTL and Premiere in 1997/98. By 2000, he performs internationally.