Chasing Kurt on ‘Maybe’, New Beginnings and the Freedom to Start Again
Some musical projects come to an end. Others simply need the right people to bring them back to life. For Chasing Kurt, the Frankfurt-born house project whose early releases helped establish a distinctive meeting point between soulful songwriting and underground electronic music, the return wasn't planned as a grand comeback.
It began with an unexpected encounter.
“I never really felt that Chasing Kurt was finished. Somehow, I always believed that one day I'd meet someone with whom I could continue the project. I just didn't know when that would happen.”
That person was Vince Master, who joined founding member Wojtek Kutschke in 2025. The pair discovered an immediate connection, finding common ground in their musical instincts, sense of humour and approach to collaboration.
“There wasn't a particular moment when we decided it was time for a big comeback. We were simply enjoying making music together, and bringing Chasing Kurt back became the natural next step.”
Their latest single, ‘Maybe’, offers an inviting introduction to this renewed partnership. Warm basslines, melodic house grooves and disco influences reveal a project embracing the dancefloor with fresh enthusiasm.
The track also illustrates the duo's willingness to experiment. After developing its groove and recording their own vocal melody, they explored an AI interpretation before bringing in a returning session singer to restore the human character they felt was missing.
“Eventually, we layered her vocals with the AI version, and that combination gave the track its distinctive sound.”
For Kutschke, that willingness to explore unexpected possibilities has always been part of Chasing Kurt's appeal.
The project's origins stretch back to 2009, when Frankfurt's electronic music culture was thriving around institutions including Cocoon, Robert Johnson and Tanzhaus West. Yet Chasing Kurt's beginnings were considerably more personal.
While living in Giessen and working in a record shop, Kutschke began producing with Pascal Vert. Their search for a vocalist introduced Lukas Poloczek, completing the original formation.
“Looking back, the project was shaped less by a particular club or musical trend and more by those personal encounters. Three people came together with different musical ideas and discovered that they could create something special together.”
That chemistry soon attracted international attention. ‘Money’ appeared on Maya Jane Coles' DJ-Kicks compilation in 2012, followed by the debut album From The Inside on Suol in 2013. Defected subsequently licensed its title track, introducing Chasing Kurt to an even wider audience.
Remixes from Henrik Schwarz, Lovebirds and others demonstrated how widely their music could be interpreted.
“It's fascinating to hear how someone can take your original song and turn it into something you would never have imagined yourself.”
One collaboration remains particularly memorable.
“It was wonderful to see how much time and care such an outstanding producer put into our music simply because he genuinely loved the original song.”
Kutschke is referring to Lovebirds' Sebastian, who contacted him personally and shared several versions as his remix developed. It remains a reminder that the most rewarding collaborations are often rooted in genuine musical appreciation.
Yet the project's original identity was also inseparable from Poloczek's contribution, something Kutschke is particularly keen to acknowledge.
“Lukas wasn't just a singer who happened to be part of the project. His voice and songwriting were a huge part of its identity.”
Rather than attempting to replace that chemistry, Kutschke has embraced the opportunity to explore a different musical direction with Master.
“For me, the creative distance made it easier to accept that Chasing Kurt could have a new beginning rather than trying to continue exactly where we left off.”
The distinction is significant. Where earlier productions often revolved around Poloczek's vocals, the current partnership places greater emphasis on rhythmic energy, groove and the possibilities of the club.
“Music evolves, people change, and there's no reason to keep following the same formula just because it worked in the past.”
Master's musical background has brought fresh harmonic possibilities to the studio, while Kutschke contributes decades of experience as a DJ and electronic producer.
Neither operates within a fixed role. Instead, ideas develop through shared experimentation, with both producers building on one another's instincts.
“But quite often, there's also that moment when we both look at each other and immediately know, 'Yes, that's it!' Those moments are probably the best part of making music together.”
The freedom extends to how their music reaches listeners. Establishing Miami Vince Records allowed the pair to release independently, although Kutschke readily acknowledges the practical demands of operating a label.
“We've also learned that starting a label is much easier than running one successfully. It takes time, money and a strong network to promote music properly and reach the right audience.”
Their subsequent relationship with independent outlets including Stained Records reflects a more flexible understanding of creative control.
“For us, independence isn't necessarily about doing everything ourselves. It's about keeping control over our music while having the flexibility to work with people who believe in what we're doing.”
Looking ahead, Kutschke remains enthusiastic but realistic. Beyond music, he works full-time as a teacher and has family responsibilities, while Master runs his own agency. Returning to regular international touring would require circumstances that made music financially sustainable.
Still, after more than three decades behind the decks, the prospect clearly excites him.
“Whether that will happen, I honestly don't know. But I haven't stopped dreaming about it either.”
Then comes a reminder of the personality that has helped make this new partnership feel so natural.
“And who knows? Maybe the world deserves to hear me behind the decks again! After more than 30 years of DJing, I've learned that experience is worth its weight in gold, especially when it comes to reading a dancefloor.”
For now, Chasing Kurt are content to follow the music rather than impose expectations on it. Their renewed partnership isn't an attempt to recover a particular moment in house music history, but an opportunity to create something meaningful in the present.
“For now, we're simply enjoying making music together, and I'm curious to see where this new chapter takes us.”
‘Maybe’ marks the latest chapter for Chasing Kurt, led by Wojtek Kutschke and Vince Master.
