Lena Willikens

German DJ and producer based in Cologne, Lena Willikens first established herself on the Düsseldorf scene — notably as a resident at the club Salon des Amateurs — before developing an international career across clubs and festivals. Active since the late 2000s, she operates at the crossroads of electro, new wave, EBM, slow techno and industrial music; her sets favour dark atmospheres, off‑kilter tempos and transitions built on tension rather than immediate euphoria. Her curatorial work continues in productions for the label Cómeme, including the EP “Phantom Delia”, and in mixes released by various outlets, notably in the Dekmantel festival’s “Selectors” series. In parallel, Lena hosts radio programmes — first on Radio Cómeme and later on other platforms — where she assembles obscure archives, electronic experimentation and marginal music from diverse geographical scenes. In collaboration with artist Sarah Szczesny she also develops the audiovisual project Phantom Kino Ballett, situated between sound installation, performance and video collage, presented in museums, galleries and hybrid venues. Together, these activities link club culture, sound art and a curatorial approach to electronic music in her practice.