Including Dancefloor compilation:

A Berlin-based initiative has released a dance music compilation aimed at promoting inclusivity in club culture, bringing together artists with and without disabilities to create a diverse range of tracks. The project, called IckMachWelle, launched its second volume, Superbrains Volume 2, as part of efforts to sustain its work after losing access to funding. The compilation features contributions from musicians who have collaborated in inclusive workshops since 2018, producing a mix of styles including dancehall-inspired house, psychedelic IDM-pop, and politically charged noise rap. The release serves both as a financial lifeline and a statement on the potential of inclusive artistic collaboration. The initiative was founded with the goal of challenging the exclusionary norms often found in mainstream club environments. According to research by US dance historian Peter Shapiro, club culture has long existed in a tension between exclusivity and inclusion, with barriers such as gatekeeping and physical accessibility limiting participation for many individuals. This dynamic becomes more complex when considering disability, as societal structures, both ideological and practical, often reinforce exclusion. Germany’s Federal Statistical Office estimates that over seven million people there are classified as severely disabled, yet many struggle to integrate into a society described by poet Paul-Henri Campbell as “salutonormative,” meaning it privileges certain norms while marginalizing others. Despite its self-proclaimed role as a counterpoint to mainstream culture, club culture itself can perpetuate these exclusionary patterns. Many venues lack wheelchair accessibility, and even those that do often fail to provide adequate support for attendees with sensory or mobility challenges. Financial barriers further compound this issue, with average wages in disability workshops being significantly lower than the cost of entry to clubs. Even when money is not a concern, social pressures and assumptions about how one should behave in a club setting can make the experience inaccessible for some. Superbrains Volume 2 emerged from the ongoing work of IckMachWelle, which has been developing alternative spaces for creative expression through workshops that include participants with and without disabilities. Since its inception, the group has produced a dozen musical projects, each reflecting the diversity of its contributors. These works have been released under the label KilleKill Musik and performed at events such as the Berlin festival Krake. The mixing of talents on stage and in the dance floor represents a core objective of the initiative: to challenge the status quo and demonstrate what is possible when inclusion is actively pursued. With traditional funding sources now unavailable, IckMachWelle has turned to crowdfunding, benefit events, and the new compilation to maintain operations. The album includes a wide array of sounds, from the experimental sound poetry of Paris to the energetic rhythms of DJ Andi. While not all tracks resonate equally, the collection offers insight into the possibilities of collaborative creativity when barriers are addressed directly. The title track, Ich muss verrückt sein, sets the tone with its playful blend of synth tones and poetic elements, suggesting that breaking conventional boundaries can lead to unexpected and meaningful results. The release of Superbrains Volume 2 marks a continuation of the effort to redefine club culture through inclusivity. By showcasing a variety of musical styles and perspectives, the compilation reflects the broader mission of IckMachWelle: to prove that when everyone pulls in the same direction, the result can be something truly unique.