And One's "Shouts Of Joy" Continues Our Forward Look Into Berlin's Legendary Electronic Music Tradition

I'm getting closer to you, Berlin.

I sit on a couch in Houston typing on a wondrous Chromebook today, but I checked my calendar earlier and late August is fast approaching. I look forward to finally stepping onto those streets, seeing you eye to eye, and hopefully leaving an indelible impression.

Here's some of that fantastic electronic music from Berlin's And One, a band that pioneered a distinctively dark German electronic sound, igniting dancefloors across Europe (and Houston, Texas) while influencing the global industrial movement for decades.

A special message to the Princess tonight, wherever you are: We think about love and joy, my dear. We're not victims. We're winners! We do not use weapons of any type to harm ourselves or to end what we think is an incredibly unpleasant situation.

Stay strong, gorgeous.

Depeche Mode Amazes At Berlin's Nationally Televised ECHO Awards. Let's Start Preparing For Germany in 2026

As we get ready for our next overseas endeavor later this year, let's take some time to enjoy that great Berlin electronic music culture. One of Germany's most prestigious music honors, the Echo Awards served as a benchmark for commercial success in the industry until 2018. Here's Depeche Mode on that very stage.

Germany has always been on my short lists of places to visit, and I’m thrilled to finally experience the gritty, creative streets of Friedrichshain—the perfect backdrop for my deep dive into Berlin’s legendary music culture. Between those explorations, I will take in the historical significance of the East Side Gallery and the iconic Brandenburg Gate. I’m also eager to visit the Reichstag Building, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Museum Island, the Berlin Cathedral, and the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz. I have planned a comprehensive visit. I look forward to sharing it with you here as it happens.

My final night in town, I will experience the city's Pop-Kultur Festival, an annual event that showcases a diverse lineup of international music acts alongside lectures, film screenings, and art installations, emphasizing artistic exchange and the discovery of new creative voices. The Friday lineup at the Kulturbrauerei offers an immersive landscape of darkwave, EBM, and industrial-inflected synths. As one AI assistant tasked with mapping my visit aptly put it, this is a "brilliant" way to complete several days of walking around in Germany's capital.

A favorite artist from as far back as the '80s, I was lucky enough to catch Depeche Mode live in San Antonio before I moved back to Houston. Enjoy.

Do You Remember? When We Were Together? I Remember...

I shouldn't have let you get away, angel. Your beauty greatly elevated the place I first saw you. That same place suffers in your absense.

You still want to get next to me, my love? I'm in.

From London with Love: Why Dua Lipa Currently Rules the Princess Frontier In Europe

Are you ready for another trip to Europe?

Let's take a look at what happenened last time. U.K. artist Dua Lipa captured my attention for her spectacular Princess content. A beautiful and talented artist whose music once brought Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails to tears (incredible), she offered so much love, and displayed so much boldness, we applaud her willingness to declare before huge audiences that she might in fact might be the one.

Unfortunately, it turns out all this waiting cost me another one. Congrats on your wedding, gorgeous. Always wishing you both the very best. Carry on.

Weep no longer, Trent, as we have placed Dua at the forefront of women strong enough to carry the Princess mantle for Europe. Please stay tuned, and know my exciting visit to London was not in vain.

Berlin is next.