What’s this about?

zensounds is a newsletter about experimental music and culture.

I’m focusing on ambient and instrumental music (electronic, acoustic and everything in between). There will be detours into jazz, rock and folk, neoclassical, indie rap and other non-mainstream music. (See also: The Kunze Kode.)

I have a special interest in the intersection of music and spirituality – where art meets spiritual practice, alternative lifestyles and practical philosophy.

Who are you?

I’m Stephan Kunze, a writer and editor based in Berlin.

I’m the former editor-in-chief of Juice magazine and a former senior music editor and global editorial lead at Spotify.

Since the early 2000s, I’ve covered music and culture for publications from Germany, the UK and the United States. I’ve also worked as a copywriter and consultant for labels, brands, media houses and tech companies.

I've been teaching music and culture journalism at universities, as well as producing and hosting community radio shows. My non-fiction book Zen Style was published in 2021 by Arkana/Penguin Random House.

I spend many months of the year with my family in a tiny village in rural northeast Germany, living off the grid.

This is my story.

Why should I subscribe?

As a free subscriber, a new issue will arrive in your inbox every 3-4 days.

As a paid subscriber, you will receive

  • all free posts,

  • additional paywalled articles and

  • exclusive access to the full archive of posts.

If you value my work, please consider taking out a paid subscription.

It’s only €5/month or €50/year.

Can I pitch music to you?

Sure, but I can’t reply or give feedback due to sheer volume.

Make sure to include with your music pitch:

  • relevant information (artist bio, release date etc.)

  • link to press image(s)

  • link to streaming preview

  • HQ music download option (Bandcamp codes preferred)

How do I reach you?

zensounds [at] posteo [dot] de

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newsletter for experimental music and culture

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Writer with a focus on ambient and experimental music. No music pitches via DM – email on my About page.