Rooted in Berlin’s relentless techno undercurrent and shaped by an eclectic musical past, A.D.H.S. has emerged as one of the genre’s most compelling new voices. With a sound defined by emotional intensity, razor-sharp production, and an unflinching sense of purpose, the Ravensburg-born artist now makes his long-awaited debut on Amelie Lens’ EXHALE imprint. The new EP, ‘In The Dark,’  is a bold, three-track statement built for the heart of the rave.

As he steps into this next chapter, A.D.H.S. joins us to talk about the evolution of his sound, the creative sparks behind the EP, and how his roots in hip-hop, underground parties, and cinematic sonics continue to shape his artistic vision. With high-profile sets at festivals like Fusion, MAYDAY, and Nature One already under his belt, and a growing visual world to match, A.D.H.S. is steadily carving out a future-facing path in techno’s ever-expanding landscape.

WWD: Congratulations on the release of ‘In The Dark!’ This marks your debut on EXHALE. How did this release come together, and what does it mean to you to be part of Amelie Lens’ label?

Thank you very much, guys! This release, and becoming part of EXHALE, is a huge milestone for me. Last year, I sent Amelie my upcoming release as a promo, and out of nowhere she replied, asking if I had any music to send her as demos for her label. Trust me I was flying!

WWD: The EP spans a lot of emotional and sonic ground – how would you describe the core energy or message behind ‘In The Dark?’

Both tracks are about that special energy you only find in huge cities at night. ‘Maxed Out’ channels the raw, dusty, and deeply creative vibe I experienced in London’s underground districts. ‘In the Dark’ is the contrast, more clean, shiny, but still packed with energy, like a city such as Shanghai.

WWD: Can you break down the creative process behind the title track? What were the key elements that shaped its atmosphere?

Sure! The first main element was this trancey, jet-haunting lead I played in, which perfectly captured the mental image I had of big cities at night. Then came the vocals, which felt like a match made in heaven for the overall theme. To enhance the darker energy of the track, I added a driving psy bassline and a secondary distorted choir lead.

WWD: ‘Maxed Out’ is a proper rave weapon. What inspired that track and how did it come together in the studio?

The initial idea came after a gig in London. I stayed a few extra days to explore the city’s art districts and made some field recordings which ended up in the track. I actually started writing the track back home, just on my couch with laptop speakers. It was one of those days where I wanted to take it easy, but inspiration hit, and everything just fell into place.

WWD: Aida Arko’s remix adds a whole new dimension to ‘In The Dark’. What was it like handing over your track to another artist?

Absolutely! She took the essence of the original and shaped something super fresh in her own techno universe. It’s always fascinating to see how different artists reinterpret an idea, and I’m seriously hyped about the result, such a monster remix!

WWD: Your journey into techno wasn’t exactly conventional. Can you tell us more about that moment of discovery, and how it shaped your creative direction? 

I discovered techno through a very close friend during one of the darkest times in my life. Back then, electronic music became my emotional outlet, and it still is. That’s why I often work with melodies, even in techno, to translate emotions into sound.

WWD: Your sound is high-octane but always emotionally nuanced. Where do you pull your influences from?

Mostly from life itself. Specific moments and emotions that leave a mark. Traveling and experiencing other cultures also inspires me a lot and many tracks are like pages from my personal diary. Another big influence comes from artists outside the electronic world, even from non-musical disciplines.

WWD: You’ve played major festivals like Fusion and MAYDAY, but also sunk your teeth in underground spaces. How do those different environments influence your performance approach?

I feel super grateful to experience both sides. I love the big stages where everything is dialed up, which fits the energy of my music and DJ sets perfectly. But the underground spaces allow me to go deeper, to build slowly and take unexpected turns in my sets. I enjoy many facets of techno, and the underground is the perfect playground to explore them.

WWD: Visuals and fashion have become key parts of your creative world. How do these elements complement or expand the music?

It’s an amazing way to give my releases another layer, a deeper dimension. For me, it’s like expanding the original concept of the track into a visual or fashion universe.It also aligns with how I create music in the first place, often driven by a cinematic idea, where I’m basically writing the soundtrack to a mental scene.

WWD: What role does Berlin play in your current creative process, both musically and culturally?

This city literally breathes creativity. Every corner has something or someone interesting, people doing things simply for the love of creating. That creates a very special energy, and I get to tap into it daily.

For example, I love street art and graffiti – just walking around my neighborhood with music in my ears totally immerses me in that creative vibe. It’s essential for me to stay inspired.

WWD: With ‘In The Dark’ now out, what’s next for A.D.H.S.? Any upcoming projects, collaborations or tour plans you can share?

Haha, not gonna lie, I’m super hyped about the next few months! Two more singles are coming before a big collab with Bart Skils on Drumcode. Looking at the schedule, some major highlights are playing b2b with my brother Thomas Schumacher on Sunday night at Fusion Festival, and the Nature One float at Rave the Planet Parade next month. And beyond that, I’m already cooking up new stuff. I can’t wait to share more soon!

Thank you guys for having me!

WWD: That all sounds fantastic! Thanks for the chat 🙂 

The ‘In The Dark’ EP is available here