Rising German star and KitKat Club resident, Tommahawk, debuts on Thomas Schumacher’s Electric Ballroom with her smashing single, ‘Unfolding,’ which includes a remix from none other than the label boss himself. We had the chance to catch up with the artist to discuss her whirlwind 2024, advice she has for upcoming DJs, how the release came to be, and more! Plus, the exclusive premiere of Thomas Schumacher’s ‘Unfolding’ remix. Enjoy!
WWD: Your career has skyrocketed in such a short time! From bedroom sets during COVID to headlining alongside Reinier Zonneveld in Costa Rica, it’s been an incredible ride. How does it feel to see your passion for music turning into this global success story?
It feels so surreal! I used to be the one on the dance floor, front row, dancing until the club closed its doors. Admiring the artists and how they created a vibe that kept the crowd energized. My friends and I traveled to many cities and festivals just to see our favorite DJs.
And now, people are starting to reach out after my gigs or on Instagram, telling me they traveled for hours just to enjoy my set. Like when I arrived at the venue for ONEIRO Fest in Costa Rica— people recognized me, wanted selfies, and even shouted my name as I explored the venue. So far away from my home base, it felt like a fever dream!
Sometimes, I still can’t believe all this is happening.
WWD: Your debut release on Thomas Schumacher’s Electric Ballroom is a huge milestone. What inspired the track, and how did it feel knowing Thomas Schumacher himself remixed it?
With ‘Unfolding,’ I wanted to create a musical journey that channels the euphoria and freedom techno gives me. Nearly a year in the making, I kept refining it until it evoked exactly the reaction I dreamed of: smiling faces, raised arms moving to the beat, and pure energy on the floor. When I sent the track to Thomas, he was hooked right away! However, he asked me for the stems to make a minor re-arrangement. When I got the file back, I noticed a little ‘rmx’ in the filename— the remix was born.
It was completely unexpected and a great honor to have not only the label boss but also a German techno legend rework my track.
WWD: Being a resident at Berlin’s iconic KitKat club must have shaped your artistry. How has playing in such a renowned venue influenced your sound and performance style?
When I played at KitKat’s renowned Symbiotikka party for the very first time, I’m not gonna lie—I was super scared! It was only my 9th public gig ever. I was still working on my musical style and developing my routines. The pressure of potentially failing in front of a crowd that’s used to the finest DJs was intense.
After my set, the promoter came up to me, asked how it was, and offered me a residency at the club! I was beyond overwhelmed and happy. Most importantly, it gave me the confidence that people genuinely want to hear my sound. It reassured me that I should press forward and continue this journey!
WWD: With over 70 shows in 2024, including major festivals like SonneMondSterne and AirbeatOne, what has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
This is tough to answer—last year, so many new things happened. There are two moments that have particularly stayed in my mind, but what feels like a second skin to me are the smiling faces and the pure energy and joy my music has sparked in people over the past year.
On my flight to Costa Rica, the flight attendant approached me and said, “Hey, aren’t you a DJ? I follow your journey on Instagram! I love your sound!” I was completely speechless in that moment. Being recognized among so many people traveling felt surreal, and I couldn’t stop smiling the whole flight. But an even more emotional moment happened after my gig at Südpol in Hamburg. A person came up to me whom I recognized because he had attended almost all of my gigs in Hamburg. That evening, he told me that my set at Waagenbau—which must have been one of my first shows— had touched him so deeply that it helped him overcome a very difficult time in his life. Since then, he’s been coming to my gigs to recharge and has finally been able to enjoy life again. I really had to hold back tears, as I’ve used electronic music myself to overcome rough patches.
WWD: Your quick rise in the industry is truly inspiring. What advice would you give to aspiring DJs who dream of making it in the techno scene?
Stay true to yourself, don’t follow trends, and find your signature sound! We all start by digging and spinning the obvious tracks—they’re popular for a reason. But try to dig deeper and find the hidden gems that make your sets stand out.
When you start producing, road-test your tracks. Take feedback from the dance floor—it’s the toughest but most honest jury.
Surround yourself with people you trust. Especially as a young woman, you might face hate, disbelief, and judgment. Having true friends who not only support you but are also honest enough to tell you when not to do something is priceless. They’ll be your backbone through it all.
WWD: Looking ahead, what are your goals for 2025 and beyond? Can we expect more original music, collaborations, or perhaps a tour to support your debut release?
2025 is going to be crazy! I’ve just signed three original tracks with legacy labels that I’ve been following for a very long time. Unfortunately, I have to keep two of them under wraps for now, but I can share that the third one will be released on Dr. Motte’s Rave The Planet label this spring. I’m also already in the studio, collaborating with two great artists. Alongside a packed festival summer, the final details for a Mexico and Australia tour are currently prepped! My goal is to spread my music around the globe and make people smile on the dance floor.
WWD: Congratulations, we can’t wait to hear the new music! Thanks for the chat 🙂
Release Date: January 31st, 2025. Buy Here
Thomas Schumacher: Instagram // SoundCloud
Tommahawk: Instagram // SoundCloud
Electric Ballroom: Instagram // SoundCloud