Fabian Peltsch is an editor and journalist specializing in politics, society and culture in Europe and Southeast Asia.
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Selected texts
Thailand's hip heathens: Wotan's clan in the Far East
A subculture has developed in Thailand's capital that is passionate about Vikings and northern European mythology: they worship Odin, get Thor's hammers tattooed on their bodies and read their futures from Germanic runes. One night in Bangkok with the German-Scandinavian Nordic ritual band Heilung.
(Published in Rolling Stone)
“Emigration is a hot topic”
For a long time, everything for graduates in China was focused on performance and career. But the mood is changing. Four young Chinese people tell their story.
(Published at Zeit Online)
Buddhism in Taiwan: Enlightenment through Death Metal
Death metal is considered the most pagan music of all. The Buddhist band "Dharma" proves the opposite. During a visit to Taiwan, a nun who is involved explains how the noise of death is compatible with her values. In the conflict with China, music becomes a secret weapon.
(Published in the world)
“Despite everything, the regime is very self-confident”
The Chinese artist Ai Weiwei considers the decisions of the Chinese leadership to be chaotic and confusing. Nevertheless, he does not see any weakening of the regime. At the same time, he reiterates his criticism of the Germans' belief in authority.
(Published by China.Table)
The last taboo: Fabian Peltsch on the trail of “New Age”
In the midst of a life crisis, our author with good taste takes a detour to the most uncool of all music genres: New Age. Driven by disgust and fascination, he sets out to find the core of this genre and flies to California. There he meets geniuses and madmen, but above all he finds himself between healing and humbug.
(Published in Musikexpress)
China’s urban exodus: The renaissance of the “beautiful villages”
More and more young Chinese are escaping the pressures of city life and moving to the countryside. The government is encouraging the movement by creating “beautiful villages” for young creatives and training poor farmers to become better consumers.
(Published by China.Table)
The Sound of the New Right: Neofolk and the Identitarian Movement
The “Identitarian Movement” presents itself as a hip right-wing subculture, with “neofolk” as the soundtrack. Insights into a strange niche world.
(Published in Rolling Stone)
Make sustainability sexy again
At the Wonderfruit Festival in Thailand, you can party in a climate-positive way. The founders don't even want to make money from it.
(Published by Fluter)
Liam Gallagher: “I’m a rock’n’roll star, 24 hours a day”
A new Oasis album? He would prefer it to his solo debut. Brit rocker Liam Gallagher talks about his longing for his brother Noel, who he loves and hates, his soft side and his ambition to make rock'n'roll great again.
(Published on Spiegel Online)
Selected television and video contributions
Music is a driving force and elixir of life for Kenyan musician Martin Kanja. In his heavy metal project “Lord Spikeheart” he deals with the country's religion. Christianity is part of the colonial heritage. His dark music is also in stark contrast to the conservative lifestyle in Uganda, the country in which he has lived for several years..
(Article for Arte Tracks)
With their mix of hardcore techno, punk and Indonesian ritual music, the two Balinese artists have created one of the most unlikely musical phenomena. The DJ duo's videos bring together Islam and local meme culture, and they play shows around the world that sometimes make Western hipsters tear their clothes off in ecstasy.
(Article for Arte Tracks)
A record from the 1€ box and the question: What could possibly be on it? Judith Holofernes opts for "a wild mash-up" of two mainstream favorites. Find out who it is here.
(Article for Rolling Stone)
Selected radio contributions
Renaissance of Japanese pop music
Thanks to YouTube's algorithms, the perfectly produced Japanese pop music of the 70s and 80s is experiencing a global renaissance. It's like hearing the greatest pop songs of the 20th century for the first time.
Hong Kong protest songs: The soundtrack of the revolt
There have been demonstrations in Hong Kong for five months - and people have also sung together. Some protest songs are pop songs, others are rap songs. The song "Glory To Hong Kong" is already being celebrated by some as the new national anthem.
Heavy Metal and Colonial Heritage in Africa
What does heavy metal from Africa actually sound like and what exactly does the metal scene there look like? Fabian Peltsch describes his impressions in the show “Tonart”.