Every city has its own soundtrack. With Heller Tag, their debut album, Berlin-based band Conic Rose captures the essence of their hometown’s after-hours mood — dreamy, restless, and quietly alive. Led by trumpeter Konstantin Döben, the group transforms fleeting urban moments into soundscapes of haunting beauty.
Imagine a solitary bike ride through empty streets at 2 a.m., a fox darting across the pavement, the distant hum of a city half-asleep. These are the scenes that Heller Tag evokes. Across twelve tracks, Conic Rose weaves a sonic narrative marked by gentle tension and ephemeral calm. And while Berlin’s spirit pulses at its core, the album also carries the echoes of La Palma, Hamburg, and Braunschweig, places that have left their imprint on the band’s emotional geography.
Between Genres, Beyond Labels
Musically, Conic Rose resists classification. Their sound fuses elements of indie pop, ambient, jazz, and electronica, without ever settling into one genre. Döben’s husky trumpet floats above textured layers of guitar, synths, keys, bass, and understated drums. Their influences are as diverse as they are unexpected — from Bach and Krautrock to Thom Yorke, Bonobo, and Jon Hassell — but the result is something distinctly their own.
The band’s creative process is grounded in openness and spontaneity. Nothing is overly planned. Improvisation is central — the music emerges organically, guided by intuition and shared feeling. Döben, who began in the world of jazz and later expanded his horizons through work with German pop artist Clueso, brings a broad artistic vision that merges structure with freedom.
A Collective Act of Liberation
Each member of Conic Rose contributes something essential — from the precision of a seasoned producer to the raw instinct of a responsive drummer. Together, they build a sound that feels both intentional and alive. For Döben, the project represents an act of artistic liberation — deeply personal, yet rooted in collective expression.
Heller Tag doesn’t chase complexity for its own sake. Instead, it embraces simplicity with emotional depth, trusting in what’s felt more than what’s explained. It’s an album made for repeat listening — the kind that reveals more with each return. Because, ultimately, its power lies in what it leaves unsaid. Like the city that inspired it, Heller Tag invites you to wander, to listen, and to feel.
