Exploring Kitty Core and the Munich Underground Music Scene
- Maximilian Von Stauffenberg
- 14 October 2025
- 0 Comments
When you hear the name Kitty Core, images of low‑lit basements, looping synths, and a restless crowd in Munich’s hidden venues might flash in your mind. This piece untangles who Kitty Core really is, how they became a staple of the city’s underground, and why their sound still echoes through the alleys of Bavaria’s capital.
Who is Kitty Core?
Kitty Core is a German indie‑rock project that emerged in 2018, led by vocalist‑guitarist Lena Weber and producer‑drummer Max Hahn. Their music blends gritty post‑punk guitar riffs with lo‑fi electronic textures, creating a sound that feels both retro and unmistakably contemporary. The duo cites early 2000s German bands and the UK’s post‑garage revival as major influences, yet they claim to write “for the night that never ends.”
Their debut EP, Neon Alley, dropped on a limited cassette run of 300 copies, instantly becoming a collector’s item among local fans.
The Munich Underground: A Brief Overview
Munich Underground isn’t a single venue but a loosely knit network of rehearsal spaces, basements, and DIY clubs that operate outside the mainstream city nightlife. Rooted in the late‑1990s’s “Krautstimmung” movement, the scene has survived gentrification by constantly shifting locations and embracing a DIY ethic. It thrives on word‑of‑mouth promotion, flyer drops, and a shared belief that music should stay raw and affordable.
Key neighborhoods include the Schwabing district’s lofts, the industrial outskirts around the Muffatwerk cultural center, and the historic tunnels beneath the Altstadt, where many secret gigs have taken place.
How Kitty Core Became Part of the Underground
Weaving into this underground tapestry wasn’t accidental. In 2019, after a short stint playing open‑mic nights at the Künstlerhaus club, Lena and Max were invited to a closed‑door showcase at the now‑defunct Blaue Tür warehouse. Their set - a three‑song burst of fuzzy guitars, relentless drums, and a chant‑like chorus - left the crowd chanting their name for weeks.
The buzz spread through the community’s private Discord server, and soon Kitty Core was booked at the infamous “Tunnel Sessions,” a series of pop‑up concerts held in the old railway tunnels beneath the city. These shows are notorious for their minimal lighting, high‑decibel levels, and a strict no‑recording policy, preserving the raw experience.
Signature Sound and Influences
Kitty Core’s music sits at the intersection of several genres:
- Indie Rock - driving rhythms and melodic hooks.
- Post‑Punk - angular guitar tones and a sense of urgency.
- Lo‑Fi Electronic - vintage synths and tape‑saturated production.
They often reference the Neue Deutsche Welle revival of the early 2020s, borrowing its tongue‑in‑cheek lyrical style while injecting darker, more atmospheric layers.
Tracks like “Midnight Rails” and “Concrete Heart” showcase how they meld jangly guitars with a pulsing 808 kick, creating a dance‑floor‑ready yet introspective vibe.
Key Releases and Milestones
Beyond the initial EP, Kitty Core’s discography includes:
- Neon Alley (EP, 2018) - limited cassette, 4 tracks, 8,000 streams in the first year.
- Subterranean (LP, 2020) - recorded in a repurposed cellar, peaked at #12 on the German Indie Charts.
- Echoes in the Dark (Live Album, 2022) - captured at a secret tunnel gig, released digitally only.
- Phantom Frequencies (EP, 2024) - features collaborations with Berlin’s Blaue Tür collective.
The Subterranean album is often cited as the soundtrack of Munich’s 2020 lockdown, with its introspective lyrics resonating with a city in isolation.
Important Venues and Events
Few venues have championed Kitty Core’s growth as consistently as the following:
- Muffatwerk - originally a power plant, now a cultural hub hosting monthly “Underground Night” where Kitty Core headlines.
- Kunsthalle München - hosted a crossover art‑music exhibition titled “Sound & Subsoil” featuring Kitty Core’s visual collaborators.
- Tunnel Sessions - a series of pop‑up shows in abandoned railway tunnels, known for their low‑capacity, high‑energy performances.
- Bayerischer Offener Markt - an annual street festival where Kitty Core performed a surprise set on a converted freight container.
These spots aren’t just stages; they’re community anchors that help maintain the underground’s authenticity.
Impact on the Local Scene
Kitty Core’s influence extends beyond their own releases. They’ve mentored emerging acts like Schwarze Schatten and offered production workshops at the Künstlerhaus club. Their DIY approach-self‑booking, self‑releasing, and direct fan interaction-has inspired a wave of micro‑labels that now operate out of shared apartments in Schwabing.
Critics note that their lyrical focus on urban alienation, illustrated in songs like “Grey Streets,” mirrors the sociopolitical shifts happening in Munich as housing prices soar and youth culture pushes back against corporate nightlife.
Current Status and What's Next
As of 2025, Kitty Core is prepping a new album titled Subway Signals, slated for a spring release. The band plans to launch a “Metro Tour,” performing in unconventional metro stations across Germany, echoing their underground roots.
Fans can expect more experimental production-rumors suggest the inclusion of field recordings from Munich’s subway tunnels, mixed with vintage analog synths. The group also teased a collaboration with visual artist Lukas Brandt, promising an immersive multimedia experience that could redefine live underground shows.
Practical Guide: How to Catch a Kitty Core Show
- Follow their official Instagram and the Munich Underground Discord server for last‑minute venue drops.
- Check flyer boards at Muffatwerk and Künstlerhaus - many shows are announced only there.
- Buy tickets directly from the venue’s QR code; third‑party platforms rarely list underground gigs.
- Arrive early - secret shows often have a “first‑come, first‑served” entry system.
- Respect the no‑recording rule; the experience is meant to be lived, not archived.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the core members of Kitty Core?
Kitty Core is primarily driven by vocalist‑guitarist Lena Weber and producer‑drummer Max Hahn. They handle songwriting, production, and live performance duties, occasionally recruiting guest musicians for specific gigs.
What’s the best way to hear Kitty Core’s music for the first time?
Start with the debut EP Neon Alley to feel the raw early vibe, then move to the full‑length Subterranean album for a more polished but still underground‑sounding experience.
Why are Kitty Core’s shows so hard to find?
The Munich underground values spontaneity and exclusivity. Venues often avoid mainstream advertising, opting for word‑of‑mouth and private channel announcements. This keeps the community tight‑knit and the atmosphere intimate.
What makes the Munich Underground different from other German music scenes?
Munich’s scene blends the city’s industrial heritage with a strong DIY ethic. Unlike Berlin’s large‑scale club culture, Munich relies on hidden spaces-basements, tunnels, repurposed factories-creating a gritty, close‑up experience that feels more like a secret club than a commercial venue.
Will Kitty Core ever sign with a major label?
The duo has repeatedly emphasized their commitment to independence. While they’ve partnered with small indie distributors, they view major label deals as a potential threat to the authenticity that defines their music and the underground community.
