Polarkreis 18

Polarkreis 18 originated in 1997 when Felix Räuber on guitar, vocals, and piano joined forces with Bernhard Wenzel on keyboards and programming plus Uwe Pasora on bass. The trio experimented with various styles and line-up configurations until they arrived at both a permanent name and the conviction that a live ensemble could still succeed. After Philipp Makolis on piano and guitar and Christian Grochau on drums completed the roster, the band introduced its fresh sound under the new moniker by issuing its debut album, Look, in 2005, having already offered a free five-track download EP the previous year. A second-place finish at the F6 Music Awards in 2006 earned them a contract with Motor Music Revue, after which their first official album, Polarkreis 18, appeared in 2007. In February 2008 the group landed an opening slot on the Smashing Pumpkins’ German tour.