Tomma, aka Tommahawk, radiates energy. Her sound has punch, edge and a clear forward drive, yet always stays true to the moment when a dance floor really comes alive: switch off from everyday life, start moving, connection in the moment. Born in East Frisia, but with her musical and personal life long since rooted in Hamburg, she brings the perspective of a club-goer and festival-goer to the stage and behind the decks. That’s precisely why her music is all about sharing a common pulse on equal terms.

Together with Dr. Motte, she has produced this year’s parade anthem, “Imagine Love”, carried by her voice and a clear message in her lyrics. What’s more, she’ll be DJing this year both on the RTP float and at the official afterparty that night. That alone would be worth an interview. But then there are also her countless gigs in Germany and abroad, releases on renowned scene record labels, her contribution to the Rave The Planet Supporter Series #24, and her commitment to creating collective moments where the crowd on the dance floor can completely lose themselves in the moment.

We spoke to her about all of this – about Hamburg, artistic development, club culture, visibility, community and why music is sometimes the quickest way back to the here and now – in our new artist interview.

Energy as a definition

RTP: Hello, Tomma, it’s great to be interviewing you today!

Tommahawk: Hey, thanks for inviting me, I’m glad to join!

RTP: How would you describe yourself – as a DJ, producer and personality in the electronic music scene – beyond the usual labels?

Tommahawk: As a DJ and producer, I define myself less by genres and more by energy. My music thrives on the flow, the driving energy and, above all, the shared moments on the dance floor. Through my work, I want to create spaces where people can switch off for a few hours and let themselves be carried away by the here and now. As an artist, I don’t see myself as the centre of attention, but rather as a catalyst: the crowd is at the centre; I create the framework for their energy. This attitude shapes me both on and off stage.

RTP: Public profiles suggest your roots are in Hamburg. Did you grow up there, or did you move there deliberately? What was your personal background like before music became your main means of expression?

Tommahawk: I was born and raised in East Frisia, but I’ve been living in Hamburg now for eight years. Even back then, I’d regularly travel to Hamburg with friends to see certain artists perform. As a result, Hamburg has always been a place where a lot was possible musically for me. When I wanted to develop further, both professionally and personally, I moved to Hamburg to complete an advanced professional qualification, and ended up staying. During those years, I not only cemented my path in music but also built a strong connection to the city. For me today, Hamburg is both home and a creative anchor.

RTP: In early interviews and DJ set descriptions, you mention the moment when DJing for friends turned into a serious artistic endeavour. What did that turning point look like for you?

Tommahawk: Looking back, that turning point came quite quickly. Music was never just a hobby for me but has always been a constant in my life. I used to travel a lot as a raver to experience certain artists and sounds live, because the energy of electronic music has always moved me deeply. When I then started DJing, I quickly realised that this was a way for me to pass on that energy. And when I played my first club gig and felt just how powerfully this music can transform a space, it was clear to me: this is what I want to do. That moment, setting the musical direction myself, shaping the dynamic of the dance floor and being able to bring people together and get them dancing, this was the moment everything clicked into place for me.

RTP: And which clubs, venues or scenes had a particular influence on you in your early years as a guest DJ, and why those in particular?

Tommahawk: In Hamburg, it was mainly the Waagenbau, Südpol and Uebel&Gefährlich. I already knew Uebel&Gefährlich before I even moved to Hamburg. I already had the chance to see many international headliners at the club, who inspired me musically. Once I moved to Hamburg, Südpol and Waagenbau became important to me. These venues not only gave me access to high-quality music, but also showed me just how powerful club culture can be: as a space for freedom, connection and shared experiences, beyond the everyday and beyond expectations.

RTP: You’ve certainly reached quite a few milestones by now. Looking back at gigs at Symbiotikka and Drumcode, at festivals such as SonneMondSterne or Airbeat One, as well as your presence on curated platforms and labels like Terminal M or Electric Ballroom, which event would you personally describe as pivotal to your development?

Tommahawk: Every gig and every release has had its own significance, because development can rarely be pinned down to a single moment. However, my residency at Symbiotikka at the KitKatClub – one of my very first club gigs – had a huge impact on me early on. That trust shown to me at such an early stage gave me a great deal of self-confidence. Another important step was my first release, which Thomas Schumacher not only released but also remixed and pressed onto vinyl. His artistic input had a huge influence on me as a producer and also as a DJ. Releases on platforms such as Terminal M also mark very special milestones for me, not just because of the visibility, but because they show that consistent hard work pays off in the long run. If anyone had told me all this back when I was a raver, I would have just laughed out loud!

RTP: Anyone who follows your sets via mix platforms and releases can trace a sonic evolution. How would you describe this change, and which musical or cultural influences have shaped it in particular?

Tommahawk: My sound has always been driving and energetic, but over the years it has become clearer and more focused. I’ve learnt a great deal through direct interaction and B2Bs, conversations, observation and constant experimentation. This organic learning process has sharpened my musical self-awareness and helped me to manage energy more consciously. At the same time, with every gig you develop a deeper sense of dramaturgy and dynamics. I believe you never stop learning. Every dance floor brings new perspectives and new ‘aha’ moments. This continuous development continues to shape me and my sound to this day.

RTP: Did it all go more or less to plan, or what were the biggest challenges along the way – structurally, artistically or personally?

Tommahawk: One of the biggest challenges was dealing with my own high standards. I’m very ambitious and tend to take on a lot of responsibility, both professionally and privately. Especially in the early years, I learnt how important it is to manage my energy consciously and not constantly push myself beyond my limits.

RTP: Oh yes, we know that feeling…

Tommahawk: In my opinion, sustainable development is more important than maintaining a constant pace. I no longer see saying ‘no’, allowing myself breaks and setting clear priorities as a step backwards, but rather as part of professional maturity. This balance has allowed me to grow both artistically and personally.

RTP: You play in intimate club settings as well as on really big festival stages. Which appeals to you more: the intimacy and anonymity of a dark dance floor, or the energy and visibility at major events? And how does this choice influence the structure of your set?

Tommahawk: I love both in different ways. A dark club floor offers an immediate sense of closeness and intensity, whilst a festival can unleash an enormous collective energy. Even large stages can create intimate moments if the connection is right. My set structure always adapts to the space and the context. In smaller settings, I often play more subtly and deeply; at festivals, my energy is clearer and more direct. Ultimately, though, what matters most to me isn’t the size of the stage, but how I connect with the crowd and shape the dynamics of the moment.

RTP: Okay, and what makes an ideal rave moment for you?

Tommahawk: For me, an ideal rave moment would be a sunrise after a long night of dancing, preferably outdoors, when darkness slowly gives way to light. These transitions have a special magic. If, at that moment, the whole crew is still together, everyone’s dancing as one and you can feel that music truly connects people, something emerges that, for me, goes beyond the individual track. It’s precisely these collective moments that stick in my memory the most.

From ‘Soul Flight’ to a parade anthem

RTP: Let’s talk briefly about another, not entirely insignificant milestone that’s coming up soon. With Dr. Motte, you’re releasing the parade anthem “Imagine Love” this year, with your voice as the central element. It’s due out on 10 July. Can you briefly tell us how it came about and how it all went?

Tommahawk: It all actually started with my track “Soul Flight”, which I released last April as part of the RTP Supporter Series. That’s how I got to know the whole RTP team, played on their float last year, and spent a really amazing day with them at the parade. In winter, Dr. Motte asked me if I’d be interested in working on this year’s anthem – you can’t imagine how thrilled I was! For me, it was immediately clear: this was the perfect opportunity to bring together all the old classics that had shaped me, both musically and in spirit, since my teenage years, together. I wrote the lyrics myself and thought carefully about what makes a parade anthem, for me: love, togetherness, that feeling of everyone rising into the moment together. I can’t wait for the release on 10 July. The track carries the feeling I want to pass on to you, and I hope it resonates with you all!

RTP: Before that, there was also an RTP Supporter Series track from you, #24….

Tommahawk: Yes, exactly. The collaboration came about very organically, partly because we share similar values: respect for culture, for music and for the shared experience on the dance floor. With my Supporter Series track “Soul Flight”, I wanted to bring all of this together, dancing together, letting go, the freedom that comes with it, and drifting through space and time. That’s why I couldn’t have imagined a better home for this track than the Rave The Planet music label.

RTP: What are your general thoughts on the Supporter Series as an ongoing series featuring a wide variety of artists?

Tommahawk: The Supporter Series serves as a reminder of what it’s all about at its core: bringing people together through music and creating spaces for dancing together. For me personally, this cultural dimension is just as important as the musical aspect. What excites me most about the series is its range: every EP brings its own take on the same idea, and it’s exactly this mix of different sounds and styles that makes the project so strong. I’ve actually discovered plenty of great new tracks for my own sets through it.

RTP: Creating spaces within and through culture is a good point: in your opinion, what role should initiatives like Rave The Planet play for the scene – culturally, socially and politically?

Tommahawk: Initiatives like Rave The Planet can play an important role in keeping the history and cultural significance of electronic music in the spotlight. Rave is more than just entertainment; it’s part of urban culture that has evolved over decades.
At the same time, such platforms can reinforce the values that have always underpinned the scene: freedom, diversity and solidarity. Not in the sense of a political agenda, but as an awareness of what originally defined this culture and continues to unite it to this day. What I love most about working with Dr. Motte is the fact that this collaboration brings completely different generations together. We exchanged ideas and learned from one another – and that translates directly to the parade itself, where generations dance, talk and inspire each other side by side. That kind of connection across generations, which often gets lost in society these days, is something I really treasure about raves.

RTP: Now, in our field too, the need for a certain presence has arisen, both online and offline. Where do you personally draw the line between artistic freedom and economic or algorithmic expectations?

Tommahawk: Economics is part of the job, but it doesn’t dictate my artistic direction. I think long-term and make creative decisions out of conviction, not for short-term optimisation or current trends. For me, freedom means creating consciously. I adapt the context and dramaturgy, but not my stance.

RTP: That’s a lovely and thoughtful attitude!

Tommahawk: Thank you! For me, authenticity and sustainability simply take precedence over quick results.

Moments of freedom and togetherness

RTP: Trends and economics are often intertwined, and this sometimes leads to talk of uniformity or conformity in sound. Do you see a responsibility here for DJs and curators to consciously bring diversity, breaks or new narratives to the dance floor, if we regard the live music experience as a cultural mission?

Tommahawk: There have always been trends in the music industry. Nevertheless, I don’t believe that art should arise out of a sense of obligation, because creative diversity is difficult to impose. It arises where people have the courage to follow their own artistic voice. For me, the responsibility lies less in ‘deliberately being different’ and more in remaining authentic and creating spaces for different forms of expression. When artists consistently go their own way, diversity emerges all of its own accord.

RTP: I agree with that. Do you see your work as a purely artistic practice, or also as a form of cultural mediation in the sense of an educational or awareness-raising mission towards the audience?

Tommahawk: First and foremost, I see my work as an artistic practice. I make music because I want to create spaces for positive energy and shared experiences: on the dance floor just as much as through headphones. At the same time, music naturally always has an impact that goes beyond that. It can bring people together, open up new perspectives and shift moods. If my work helps people feel freer or more connected for a moment, that’s already a great deal to me.

RTP: When you’re curating a set or a line-up, what carries more weight for you: accessibility and collective energy, or risk and depth of content?

Tommahawk: For me, these aren’t opposites. Energy and accessibility often form the basis, but depth and surprise emerge at just the right moment. The context is crucial: space, time and the audience.

RTP: Let’s return to the question of possible expectations regarding visibility. There’s a lot of talk about ‘community’ in the scene, and at the same time there’s a tendency to heroise artists. How do you actually experience this relationship between the communal experience and the role of the stage?

Tommahawk: For me, community is at the heart of the scene. The stage creates visibility, but it should facilitate connection, not create distance. Ultimately, it’s about a shared experience, not the glorification of individuals.

RTP: Isn’t there still some sort of causal link between the two, after all?

Tommahawk: Of course, being on stage brings attention. What matters, however, is how you deal with it. Staying authentic, treating people with respect and seeking dialogue helps to keep the balance between the artist and the community alive.

RTP: How would you say you position yourself in the tension between self-determined, empowering visibility and the risk that attention is generated more through visual presence than through musical content?

Tommahawk: It’s true, visibility is part of the job these days, especially in the age of social media. For me, it becomes empowering when it’s self-determined. Visuals, aesthetics and presence are part of it, but for me they’re a means to an end, not the end itself. Because in the end, it’s always about the music. Energy, dramaturgy and sound are the foundation of my work. If that’s right, everything else simply reinforces what’s already there. What’s important to me is that the balance is maintained and that I make my decisions consciously. Not out of pressure, but out of conviction.

Gigs in Europe, South America, Asia and, of course, at Rave The Planet

RTP: If you follow your activities on social media, for example, there are hints of some new projects in the pipeline. Would you like to give us a little sneak peek at what you’re currently working on and what listeners and visitors can expect from you soon?

Tommahawk: At the moment, my focus is on new releases and further developing my sound. I’m working on several projects that convey my energy in an even more precise way, with greater clarity in the structure and a stronger sense of recognition. At the same time, I want to make my work more accessible, including by releasing more YouTube sets. Just last week, for example, I uploaded my set from the Geheime Liefde Festival in the Netherlands – feel free to check it out, the closing track might sound familiar to some of you. Sharing moments like that is, for me, part of developing the brand organically, without losing musical substance along the way. At the end of the day, though, DJing itself remains my main focus. Several gigs in Europe are on the tour schedule, and in autumn/winter, I’ll be heading back to South America and India.

RTP: Lots of different scenes and cultures – nice! Where’s the best place to catch you in your spare time in Hamburg or Berlin? KitKat, Tresor, Fundbureau or Goldener Pudel?

Tommahawk: To be honest, when I do have a free evening, I like to just chill out on my sofa.

RTP: I feel you! *laughs*

Tommahawk: But when I’m out, I go wherever the music and atmosphere are right. For example, at Südpol, at festivals like Fusion or Nation of Gondwana, or sometimes in clubs like Sisyphos or Berghain. Ultimately, though, I decide less on the basis of names and more on how it feels, good music and good people draw me in.

RTP: That’s lovely! Finally, I’d like to mention that you’ll also be playing on our RTP float at the parade on 15 August, which we’re really looking forward to. And then you’ll also be playing at our official afterparty at the Columbiahalle that night, alongside DJ Rush, Dr. Motte, Nakadia and Teenage Mutants and now me as the support act.

Tommahawk: I’m really looking forward to it, it’s going to be such a special day for me: first feeling that pure, collective energy on the street during the day on the float, and then closing out the night in the Columbiahalle with a line-up like that. For me, it feels like the circle closes there, from the movement on the street back to the dance floor, where it all started in the first place. I absolutely can’t wait!

RTP: Brilliant! Thank you for the great chat – we’re looking forward to seeing you and, of course, to “Imagine Love”!