Kay & Evi Barton: “It’s Not About Content – It’s About Connection”
Artist & Team Interview
Some people in the Rave The Planet cosmos may already recognize the name Kay Barton. Since 2025, the Vienna-based artist, journalist, radio host, and event organizer has been supporting us as a volunteer online editor, contributing interviews and editorial pieces about electronic music culture.
But Kay’s work in the scene goes back much further. Together with his partner Evi a.k.a. Dr. Eva Barton, he runs the event brand TRENDWÆNDE, through which the duo organizes events in Vienna and Berlin that live beyond the mainstream. Their focus: international techno and house, cultural exchange, and fresh inspiration for the local club scene.
With CONNÆKT, they developed their own event format. The series brings international and local artists together in intentionally more intimate club nights, often complemented by additional programs such as masterclasses and workshops on topics like music production and live performance. The idea is to bring knowledge exchange, community, and club culture together in one place.
On March 14, 2026, the format returns for its second edition at FLUCC in Vienna. (Read more)
We spoke with Kay and Evi about their motivation, their work with TRENDWÆNDE, the idea behind CONNÆKT, and their involvement with Rave The Planet.
“Okay… then we’ll just do it ourselves.”
RTP: You moved from Germany to Vienna – a scene with a very distinct identity of its own. What was that like for you?
Kay Barton: At first I didn’t really notice the differences that consciously. Getting into the scene was actually pretty easy. Our neighbors were already very active in the scene and took us out with them, and one thing naturally led to another. Through their network we quickly connected with bars, clubs, and bookers. I played my first DJ set in Vienna just a few weeks after moving there.
Later on, though, we realized that musically something was often missing for us. A lot of what we heard felt too hard, too fast, or simply not like the music we personally wanted to listen to. At some point a very simple idea came up: if we can’t find events like that, then we’ll just create them ourselves.
RTP: “Pretty easy at first” sounds like there were challenges later.
Kay: It wasn’t really about earning our place in the scene. It was more about the music. When we went out privately, we rarely ended up at events that really convinced us musically.
Evi Barton: It was often very hard and very fast.
Kay: Exactly. And I had actually already organized events many years earlier, in the 2000s and 2010s. To be honest, I never planned to do that again. But eventually we realized: we need to host at least one event ourselves, just so we can hear the music we actually love in a club setting. At that time we had no idea it would turn into something ongoing.
RTP: Your first event took place at Sass Club. How did that happen?
Kay: Officially it looked like our first event, but in reality it was Evi’s birthday party. We already had a connection with Sass and asked if we could celebrate there.
Evi: A birthday rave.
Kay: It was never meant to be exclusive. The club holds around 200-250 people, so the idea was simple: friends, friends of friends, and anyone else who wanted to come. That basically turned into the first TRENDWÆNDE night.
RTP: What challenges did you experience in the early events?
Kay: Planning and predictability. In Vienna there are many factors you can’t really control. If the temperature outside is two degrees warmer, people might stay longer by the Danube and never make it to the club. Sometimes it feels like guests prefer to keep their options open. But that doesn’t necessarily depend on the content of a specific event – many promoters experience the same thing.
Evi: People also told us early on that headliners don’t necessarily draw big crowds in Vienna.
Kay: Often it works more through a certain sound or a series. People come because they trust the musical direction, not just for individual artists.
RTP: So more about building a strong brand than relying on headliners?
Kay: Exactly.
Evi: Another challenge is that clubs here are often booked extremely far in advance. There aren’t many venues, and many of them are fully booked a year ahead. That makes planning difficult.
Kay: We’ve had situations where artists were available, but no club was. Or you ask in March for dates next year, and everything is already booked.
Evi: And the venue has to feel right. It shouldn’t be too big. We want it to stay intimate so people don’t get lost in the space.
RTP: Were there moments when you seriously thought about stopping?
Kay: After one of our early parties we definitely had doubts. We had booked great artists, but several things came together at once: the Champions League final was happening that night, the club was brand new and not yet established, and the event started relatively early.
Evi: The party started at 9 PM. It wasn’t really a day club, but also not a classic night club.
Kay: The atmosphere itself was beautiful though. The vibe was right. But financially it was obviously difficult.
Evi: The people who were there didn’t want to leave though. In the end we practically had to push them out.
From Heidelberg to Vienna – Starting Fresh in a New Scene
RTP: Kay, you restarted as an event organizer in Vienna, but you’re definitely not a newcomer. You’ve played at major events like Loveparade, Street Parade, and others. Did Vienna still feel like a fresh start?
Kay: In some ways, yes. I lived in Heidelberg for about twenty years. That time shaped me a lot, but musically many things happened outside the city. When we wanted to go out we often traveled to Frankfurt, Darmstadt, or Mainz – to clubs like Omen or U60311. Heidelberg itself didn’t have many options for electronic music besides venues like Halle_02 or Villa Nachttanz.
I also organized my own events in Heidelberg – for example a series called “The Place To Be.” Besides indoor events, we organized illegal forest raves. Over the years they kept growing, and eventually we realized: if something goes wrong here, things could get complicated. So at some point we stopped.
RTP: And eventually you moved to Vienna.
Kay: Yes. We had long talked about living in another city at some point. Vienna was a place I had always liked — I even celebrated my 30th birthday here.
Eventually the idea became reality, although it actually took about ten years before we really made the move.
RTP: Evi, what was it like for you?
Evi: It took a little longer because I wanted to complete my training as a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy first and fulfill some commitments. After that we moved to Vienna.
I was especially curious about experiencing a different healthcare system and living in a new city that offers a lot culturally but still feels relaxed and balanced.
Heidelberg is beautiful, especially for studying. But after 20 years it felt like the right time for a change.
“Vienna Is Basically a Mix of Heidelberg and Berlin.”
RTP: Vienna doesn’t immediately sound like the obvious next step though.
Evi: At first it was really a question of Berlin or Vienna. In the end Vienna won because we love nature, the big-city energy combined with a relaxed atmosphere, and the mountains around the city. Everything feels manageable and a bit slower paced. Berlin felt a bit too big for us at that time – although musically it always drew us in.
Kay: Berlin has always had an incredible fascination for me and has had a place in my heart for many years. But there was also always a huge respect for the city. And for Berlin winters.
Evi: I’d say Vienna is basically a mix of Heidelberg and Berlin.
Kay: People from both cities will probably think we’re crazy for saying that. (both laugh)
Early DJ Career: From DOS Software to Sunshine Live
RTP: Kay, you learned your first production skills using simple DOS software – completely DIY. Was that already a mindset of building your own system instead of waiting for existing structures?
Kay: Not really. At the beginning it was simply curiosity and the desire to create something myself. I used to draw a lot, but eventually producing music fascinated me even more.
I kept making tracks all the time, writing titles, experimenting – without really knowing whether anything would ever come from it.
Then Sunshine Live entered the picture in 1997 when the station started. Back then things were very open there. You could just show up in the studio – something that would have been much harder at public broadcasters.
I became friends with some of the hosts, including Felix Kröcher, whom I met there. Occasionally they even played my tracks spontaneously.
RTP: Did you just show up with a CD?
Kay: More or less. We thought the station was exciting because it had this guerrilla spirit. Everything felt spontaneous and improvised. I called them and said I was nearby – the station was in Schwetzingen back then – and asked if I could drop by. So a friend and I drove over.
Eventually I was there more often. You could say I became a bit of a regular. We went to parties together, exchanged ideas, and I was even allowed to practice DJing in their second studio. And at some point they let me play live on air – even though I wasn’t really able to DJ properly yet.
RTP: That’s about as “jump in the deep end” as it gets.
Kay: Absolutely. But it also opened a lot of doors. Through Sunshine Live I made many contacts in the scene – for example with the people at Toptrax, the label that produced the Sunshine Live compilations.
From Project Names to Real Name
RTP: In the past you performed under several project names like Bionic K or Kay Piranha. Why switch to your real name?
Kay: It reflected my own development. Each of those projects represented different musical phases. Bionic K was more commercial — first trance-influenced, later moving toward very hard hardstyle and jumpstyle. Kay Piranha explored other directions again.
At some point I realized I wanted to focus on the music that truly interested me. That’s when I decided to work under my real name.
It also coincided with our wedding. I took Evi’s last name – and everything came together quite naturally.
Journalism and International Work
RTP: Besides music, you’ve worked as a journalist for many years. How did that happen?
Kay Barton: Through a bit of a detour. I originally come from marketing and worked at an agency for a long time. Later I joined a specialized publishing house. At first I worked in marketing there as well, and later became an editor. The magazine has nothing to do with music though — it’s about the plastics packaging industry.
RTP: That sounds pretty far from club culture.
Kay: Yes, completely. But the international aspect was fascinating. I traveled to many countries for reports – sometimes to places you would probably never visit otherwise. Azerbaijan, Armenia, very remote regions of Russia, and many trips to India and China. I visited companies, conducted interviews, and wrote market analyses. From a journalistic perspective it was exciting because you constantly encounter new cultural contexts.
RTP: Looking at your path – music, journalism, events – it always seems to come back to connection.
Kay: Yes, absolutely. Encounters and exchange are very important to me. Meeting new people, hearing new perspectives, discovering new ideas. And ultimately that’s exactly what club culture is about.
Club Culture – More Than Just a Party
RTP: Let’s talk about TRENDWÆNDE. You position yourselves a bit differently than many other formats – musically but also visually. Less flashy presentation, more focus on music. What sparked that?
Kay: TRENDWÆNDE is our host brand. People often call us a collective, but technically we’re not. In Vienna many organizers work as collectives – groups of artists, activists, and promoters. In our case the core is simply Evi and me.
From the beginning the idea was simple: curate great music that genuinely excites us and create a space that supports that experience. A space that works musically, but also as a place for encounters – a place where community can grow.
Evi: But also a space where people can reconnect with themselves. Music should be able to resonate inside you. Instead of constantly taking photos or presenting yourself, you can simply be present in the moment. When the focus is truly on the music, you experience yourself and others in a very different way. That’s something we often lose in everyday life.
Kay: This idea doesn’t come out of nowhere. Many of us have experienced those moments before – at big raves in the past or during special club nights. When the vibe is right, it’s something you immediately feel even though it’s hard to explain. In those moments music becomes more than entertainment — it becomes an experience that can truly move something inside you.
Club Culture and Mental Health: The Perspective of Dr. Eva Barton
RTP: Evi, you’re a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy. What happens psychologically when people are truly present in a club environment – without distractions like social media or self-presentation?
Evi: When people focus fully on experiencing the music and the moment, something happens that psychology knows very well: people arrive in the here and now and reconnect with themselves.
In everyday life we are often caught up in thoughts – worries, pressure to perform, expectations. In the club that can fade into the background for a while. You feel the sound, you feel yourself, and you feel the other people around you. In psychology we call this mindfulness. It reduces stress and creates connection with yourself and with others.
RTP: So it becomes a collective experience?
Evi: Exactly. When a whole room shares the same energy, a special form of connection emerges. It’s a deep and intense experience – and it can have a lasting effect.
CONNÆKT – Masterclass & Club Night
RTP: With CONNÆKT you created a new event format within TRENDWÆNDE. What’s the idea behind it?
Kay: CONNÆKT stands for connection and synergy. It connects international artists with great local artists and the audience. But we also wanted to show that club culture is more than just parties. Many people in our scene are interested in the creative processes behind the music. That’s why we often combine masterclasses and workshops with our club nights – usually led by the international artists or partners we invite.
RTP: Why was knowledge exchange important to you?
Kay: Because we see that many guests are creative themselves – producers, DJs, or artists in other fields. If an international artist is in town and has something to share, why not create a space for that exchange? The masterclass allows people to ask questions and gain insights you wouldn’t normally get.
Evi: And because we intentionally keep the masterclasses small, real interaction becomes possible. Afterward everything flows almost seamlessly into the party – the connections from the masterclass continue in the club.
CONNÆKT on March 14, 2026 – Donation-Based
RTP: On March 14, 2026, the fourth edition of CONNÆKT takes place, featuring UK artist Works Of Intent. How did this collaboration happen?
Evi: We first discovered his music through COD3 QR, the label by Laurent Garnier and Oliver Way. His sound is very distinctive – playful, detailed, yet very clear and present while still leaving space. When we saw him perform live we were even more convinced. We knew that if we invited him to Vienna, it wouldn’t just be for a DJ set. We wanted him to also share his production approach in a masterclass and have a real exchange with people.
Kay: We’re always interested in the context behind the music. Artists like Works Of Intent represent a new generation that develops house and electronic music in their own way.
At the same time we’ve also invited artists from other generations – for example Alan Oldham, who represents Detroit techno at its finest. Those encounters between different perspectives and generations are something we find very exciting.
RTP: The club night on March 14 will be donation-based. Why did you choose that model?
Evi Barton: Because we want the barrier to entry to be as low as possible. Everyone should have the chance to experience this music, regardless of their financial situation.
Kay: Of course that also means some risk. There are costs for artists, technology, and the venue. But we do it because we believe in it. If it doesn’t fully pay for itself financially, then that’s how it is. We’d rather invest time and energy into events like this than spend that money on a vacation.
CONNÆKT @ FLUCC (Deck), Vienna
Masterclass & Club Night
With CONNÆKT, Kay & Evi Barton bring together musical experience, knowledge sharing, and club culture.
The evening begins with a masterclass featuring Works of Intent and Pasco Berma from SAE Institute, followed by a donation-based club night.
📍 Location: FLUCC Club (Deck), Vienna
📅 Date: Sat, March 14, 2026
MASTERCLASS powered by SAE Institute Vienna
Time: 9:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Doors: 8:45 PM
Sessions:
► Works Of Intent – Making Big Tunes for Big Rooms
► Pasco Berma (SAE Institute Vienna) – Modern Production Techniques in Ableton Live
CONNÆKT Club Night
Time: 11:00 PM – 6:00 AM
Admission: donation-based (pay what you can)
Line-up:
► Works Of Intent // Rekids · COD3 QR · Monkeytown · Time Passages
► Elah
► Kay Barton // TRENDWÆNDE · Trapez
Next up: TRENDWÆNDE and New Projects
RTP: What’s next for you and TRENDWÆNDE?
Kay: We’re already planning our next event for the fall. And I’m currently working on a new album. It feels like I’ve been working on it forever.
Evi: And of course we want to keep developing the CONNÆKT format. The exchange between artists, audience, and the scene is a central part of what we do.
Volunteering for Rave The Planet
RTP: Kay, since early 2025 you’ve been volunteering as an online editor for Rave The Planet. Why did you decide to get involved?
Kay: Because I felt it. I attended the first Rave The Planet Parade in 2022 simply as a visitor, with no responsibilities. The energy, the positive atmosphere, and the combination of celebration and purpose really moved me. After that I knew: if I ever have the chance to support this project, I will.
RTP: Rave The Planet also defines itself as a cultural-political demonstration. What does that mean to you?
Kay Barton: A lot. Especially in times when so many conflicts and crises exist, peaceful gatherings of people from different backgrounds are incredibly valuable.
That connection between music, community, and political expression matters. Even if some people first see the party — the message behind it remains important.
RTP: Thank you, Kay and Evi, for this inspiring conversation.
Quick Questions – Kay Barton
One word to describe yourself: Authentic
Music I love outside of techno: Wave, synth-pop, indie
Something I’m really good at: Getting excited about things
Something I’m not good at: Doing nothing
I like: Love, peace, and genuine community
I don’t like: Hate, selfishness, opportunism
Artist I’d love to collaborate with: Stefan Kozalla (Koze)
Important commitment outside events and Rave The Planet: Intercultural B2B collaboration with India
Something I’d like to tell the world: A world built on appreciation, peace, and shared values doesn’t have to remain a utopia.
Quick Questions – Evi Barton
Self-description: Enthusiasm
Music I love outside techno: House, ambient, and also opera
Something I’m really good at: Taking responsibility and fully committing to what I believe in
Something I’m not good at: Leaving things unfinished
I like: Honesty and genuine emotional connection
I don’t like: Ignorance, disrespect, exploitation, opportunism
Artist I’d love to collaborate with: Kittin
Important commitment outside events and Rave The Planet: Responsible development of therapeutic concepts involving altered states of consciousness
Something I’d like to tell the world: We are all connected and responsible for one another. Meet each other with respect, awareness, and care.
