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Somewhere along the continuum of life's fates is the invention of a handy firearm from the US on the one hand and the music of a baroque grandmaster from Germany on the other. Somewhere in between lies a mystical place called Koltbach.

Jan-Christian (Janosch) Groth originates from there. He is a producer and composer whose music thrives on minimalist musical gestures and unconventional arrangements. It often has a meditative, cinematic atmosphere and a narrative character, usually gliding along on powerful waves. He worked with artists like Johannes Motschmann, Nils Frahm (in his early days) and many others.

His first release was „Debut“ in 2016 (ep). Since 2018 until early 2026 he appeared on sub and main label of Springstoff (Berlin).

He focuses on programmed tracks and sculpted sounds combined with live recorded acoustic instruments. Koltbach originally started out with classical guitar and plays various other instruments.

This project was initially inspired around 2014 by the unique and soulful neoclassic-electro scene around Berlin and Iceland.

But over the years, it became clear that it was Nils Frahm’s philosophy, ethereal sensibility and artistical independency that provided the decisive inspiration.

Koltbach’s workshop lies “between” these two “worlds” in northern Germany, close to Hamburg. Here, the influences are redefined and further enriched with love and dedication from a very personal point of view.

For years he played with several bands as a live musician, was a student of the brazilian musician and composer Dudu Tucci, studied music at the Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, teaches music at a secondary school close to Hamburg and composes as an independent artist.

Koltbach is constantly working on new productions that deserve to be heard amid the absurdly loud din of our era’s obsession with attention. (loosely based on Matthiew Herbert)