EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW


“22:22” isn’t just an album—it’s a moment. A timestamp that somehow captured the mood, the shift, and the soul of two artists ready to break their mold. For Michael Ritter and Felix E, this record isn’t about the club. It’s about slowing down, tuning in, and trusting the process. Known for


deep,


elegant grooves that have lit up dance floors from Berlin to Barcelona, the duo takes an unexpected turn inward with this release, and the result is stunning.


With cinematic textures, intimate vocal features, and a quiet emotional weight, 22:22 feels like a reflection of the quiet hours between nights out. The record is full of small signs and soft edges—each track unfolding like a whispered story, carried by delicate collaborations and unexpected inspirations. It’s a sound born not from a peak-time moment, but from personal growth, late-night sessions, and following creative impulses without pressure or deadlines.


But make no mistake—this isn’t a retreat, it’s a reveal. It’s Felix and Michael stepping into new territory with confidence, supported by a close circle of artists, family, and visual creatives who helped shape the project into something bigger than a collection of tracks. From Sister Sol’s tender German poetry to the myth-inspired artwork by Nida Basli, every element adds depth to the duo’s most personal work to date.


In this interview, we dive deep into the making of 22:22, from studio serendipity and collaborations across borders to Reconsider’s evolving role as a label, community, and platform for new voices. Along the way, we also explore the beauty of creative friendship, the power of trusting your gut, and the moments that quietly guide you back to yourself.


Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering them now, this is the perfect entry point into the next chapter of Michael Ritter & Felix E. An album that invites you to pause, feel, and maybe—just maybe— catch the clock at 22:22.


22:22 feels like a big departure from your usual club-re- ady sound—slower, more emotional, almost cinematic in parts.


Felix: “We felt excited and motivated to create something more personal and reflective. Something that shows a different side of us than what we usually put out through club tracks and DJ sets. The idea was to slow things down, both emotionally and musically, and offer a broader perspective of who we are as artists.”


“In general, we feel that electronic music tends to get harder and faster, and we deliberately wanted to go in the opposite direction.”


“At the same time, the album came together quite naturally. We had a few


solo tracks, some


collaborations, and finished ideas that didn’t quite fit anywhere else — we weren’t sure which label they belonged to or what to do with them. That’s when the album concept began to take shape.”


“The initial feedback was more like, “Why do an album now?” — as if that’s something you’re only supposed to do at a certain stage of your career, once you have a bigger fanbase. But for us, it just felt right. And looking back, we’re really glad we trusted that ins-


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tinct. The feedback from artists we respect has been incredibly positive, and it feels good to show our community a different facet of what we do.”


The title 22:22 has some spiritual weight to it—it’s often seen as a kind of cosmic sign or a moment where things align.


Michael: “Yes, 22:22 - or catching the clock at that exact time - is often seen as a moment of alignment or synchronicity, a connection to a specific person, or a kind of gentle reminder that you’re on the right path. For us, though, the meaning came after the fact. When we bounced the first track for the album, it just happened to be 22:22 on the clock. We thought it was a nice little coincidence and used it as a working title.”


“Later on, we started hearing from friends about what the number symbolizes and looked into it more ourselves. The idea of trusting the timing of things and paying attention to small signs started to resonate with the way we approached the whole album. Letting things develop naturally and without pressure. So in the end, 22:22 became more than just a timestamp; it reflected the overall mood and mindset we had while making the records.”


Sister Sol’s German vocals bring a very personal and intimate vibe to the album.


Felix: “I started working with my sister (Sister Sol) a couple of years ago on a fun project called Meine Katze, which I never


really intended to release.


Eventually, I did, and it became a big track among German listeners. We’ve kept working on projects ever since, and the creative process is very natural and enjoyable.


We never dictate what the lyrics should be. We usually send her an instrumental that we like, and she takes it from there. Since she’s an actress and reads a lot of poetry and prose, she brings amazing ideas, especia- lly for deeper, more meaningful tracks. We love working with her, and I’m sure this won’t be our last collabora- tion.”


‘Bloom’ with Paul Brenning stands out—it feels like a turning point in the album.


Felix: “The track with Paul also started from an instrumental. Once we had the overall vibe, we knew it was going to be one of the major tracks on the album. We intentionally left space for vocals and began searching for the right vocalist. We’ve long been fans of Paul’s work, so he was an obvious choice, and luckily, he agreed to collaborate.


Again, we gave Paul full creative freedom, and since the instrumental was already quite emotional and melancholic, he turned it into a beautifully deep track. The lyrics touch on that feeling of needing to step back when things get overwhelming, and hiding away for a bit to come back stronger. There’s a real mix of emotions in there that fit perfectly with the tone and the vibe of the album that we were going for.”


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