Donkey Kid

When a 19-year-old is making songs that can hold their own in any genre, it becomes clear that something special could be beginning to take shape. A producer, singer, and songwriter from Berlin who is already being hailed by music press in his native country as one of the most promising newcomers in Germany, Donkey Kid’s music shifts subtly between indie pop and 1980s reminiscences. 

Growing up in Steglitz, an ordinary Berlin neighbourhood not famous for anything in particular, Donkey Kid started out as a bedroom-producer, writing songs that evoke ideas of wide spaces, Abbey Road, Hendrix in Tangiers, and psychedelic substances, whilst also reminiscing on the Manchester scene of the 80s.

His voice has drawn comparisons to King Krule in its jazzy, raspy moments, while sounding more like Blood Orange in others. Building on grooves and intricate basslines, Donkey Kid’s songs are characterised by ambient samples, noises and short fades.

Standalone 2021 single ‘Linger On’ was fueled by a driving drum beat complemented by piano balladry and glorious background noise—watching Donkey Kid in Niklas Zeiner’s music video for the single, it was impossible to tell whether it had been filmed in 1971, 1983 or 2021. Just like his sound, the images were multilayered and timeless in the best sense.

Follow up single ‘Birdhouse’ was carried by Wurlitzer chords, feeling both more mature and ingenuous in its conception. With laid-back confidence Donkey Kid provided the soundtrack to the first days of spring, the perfect music to roam the city with headphones on, and watch life slowly returning.

With his star ascending quickly in his native Germany, 19 year old newcomer Donkey Kid spent 2021 releasing four standalone singles and impressed international magazines (Wonderland, Iggy Mag, C-Heads) and radio stations (Amazing Radio US & UK, Passport Approved, UK Student Radio) alike, cementing his status as the most exciting newcomer in German Indie.

He played his first concerts in the UK supporting Cassia and spent the summer touring with Ilgen-Nur, Trümmer, and Leoniden, whilst his indie-hit-single ‘Deep Blue’ made the cover of Spotify’s “Best of Indie Brandneu 2021” playlist and was on heavy rotation on UK student radio networks throughout the year.

Fast forward to 2022, and Donkey Kid is the centre of attention in Berlin’s new indie scene. In a city that overwhelms anyone and anything with it’s sheer abundance of influence and opportunity, Donkey Kid's songs are the remedy.

On his forthcoming debut EP Distant Shouts, the newcomer tells a musical coming-of-age story: ice cream for breakfast, sleepless nights, fucked up sleep cycles and perfectly hand-rolled cigarettes.

Seeing as it will still be a while before we can dance with abandon to indie disco hits in small clubs, Distant Shouts is the perfect soundtrack for the still-lingering lean period until it's finally time to hit the dance floor again.