zensounds is a twice-weekly newsletter about experimental music and culture.
I write about new and old music from various genres – ambient, jazz, electronic, neoclassical, drone, noise and post-rock, alternative hip-hop, leftfield pop and everything in between.
Here’s a list of my favorite 100 albums of all time
zensounds is about human curation and slow listening.
I enjoy experiencing full albums instead of single songs and playlists, and listening to them on physical media like CDs, vinyl records and tapes.
I write about books, films and visual arts as well, but not as frequently.
Occasionally I use this space for critical commentary on media and technology, as well as more personal essays on my off-grid life in the rural German countryside.
The Author
I’m Stephan Kunze, an experienced writer and music journalist with bylines in publications from Germany, UK and the United States.
For the last 25 years, I’ve worked as a freelance and staff writer, editor and editor-in-chief for music magazines and newspapers, and as a music curator and content consultant for labels, brands and tech companies.
My non-fiction book Zen Style was published in 2021 by Arkana/Penguin Random House.
I live in Berlin, but spend many months of the year with my family in a tiny village in rural northeast Germany, living off the grid.
Subscriptions
I publish new episodes on average twice per week.
As a freelance writer, the proceeds from this newsletter contribute directly to my livelihood. A paid subscription is the best way to actually support and value my work.
I offer 3 paid subscription tiers:
1. The regular subscription
As a paid sub, you will get all free posts and additional paid exclusive articles, plus access to the full backlog of posts, the archive.
To top it off, you will enjoy the feeling of actively supporting a small part of an independent ecosystem for music and culture journalism.
All of this for the price of only €5/month or €50/year.
2. The 20% discount
If you want to get a paid subscription but your current economical situation feels tense, the link below will get you 20% off for the first 12 months.
I trust that you won’t take advantage of this offer if you’re not in need of it.
The idea is that discounted subscriptions will be cross-funded by a higher total amount of paid subscribers and some VIP supporters.
3. VIP status
If you’re financially well-off and enjoy what I’m doing, become a VIP member and receive full paid sub status plus extra karma points.
Just click the button below, which will lead you to the subscription page. Pick the VIP status and fill in the sum you’d like to pay for one year.
You will be able to pay anything between €51–500/year. Even if it’s just a few bucks above the regular subscription price. I deeply appreciate it.
Music pitches
Send to zensounds [at] posteo [dot] de
Please note I can’t reply to pitches due to sheer volume. I will reach out in case I need more info, or if I’d like to conduct an interview.
Make sure to include with your pitch:
relevant infos on the artist/project including release date
download link for current press images
HQ music download (Bandcamp codes preferred)
Contact
zensounds [at] posteo [dot] de
