Anna Müller and Paul Wallner, aka HVOB, have been conquering the universe of electronic music for years. Having played sold-out tours in North, Central, and South America, Asia, Europe, and South Africa, and at the world's renowned festivals, from a headlining show at Sonar Barcelona to Primavera and Fuji Rock in Japan, the international electronic duo is expanding the spectrum of its stylistic means by an additional dimension. Their new artistic cycle, their new track, and their upcoming world tour starting in 2025 are characterised by the light show The Silver Cage, which we ask them about in the conversation you can read below.
“Next year, we'll be going on a world tour with new music and a brand-new show,” they tell us about their biggest project for 2025, which they’ve just announced they'll be bringing to Madrid, Barcelona, London, Paris, Budapest, Berlin, or Prague, among many other cities. You can check all the confirmed dates here. "Light has always been an important part of HVOB, but this time we've taken it even further."
Last time we spoke was two years ago, when you had just released your sixth album, Too, and were getting ready to perform in Barcelona and Madrid. Tell us, how have you been since then? You've been working around the clock, haven't you?
Thank you, we’ve been doing really well. Time flies so quickly; it’s hard to believe it’s already been over two years since our last album, Too. Since then, we’ve spent a lot of time touring, creating new music, and working on a new light show. Now, we’re gearing up again for another tour and new releases.
If we go back in time, in 2017 we talked in this interview about the narcissism that predominated in the music scene as a result of the rise of social media and many artists wanting to share everything they do with their followers, becoming content creators in some way. “It is important that people know what HVOB is about: it is about the music, not about Paul and me,” you said. Do you think that more and more people prioritise what's behind the desk instead of who?
Unfortunately, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep the focus on the music as the most important aspect. Of course, we know that there has always been more to it than "just" the music, but now, it feels like music has taken a backseat entirely. It’s all about creating content, showcasing bodies, and grabbing attention in an instant, in a world where we sadly seem to have an attention span of only a few moments. Music itself is often reduced to just another tool to serve this endless cycle of content, which makes it even harder to let it stand on its own.
In that same conversation, you also shared with us one of your life mantras: “Don't listen to people who tell you how you should do things right.” Is society too influenced by others' opinions? Why do we care so much about what other people might think?
I think society has always been influenced by others’ opinions, but with social media, this influence has become much more intense and overwhelming. It’s human nature to want to be accepted and to seek validation, but now it feels like this need has been amplified to the point where it controls many aspects of our lives. We’re constantly exposed to curated versions of success, beauty, and happiness, and we’re afraid of falling short. But I truly believe that creativity—and life in general—thrives when we let go of these external expectations and trust our own instincts. For us, it’s about staying authentic and not letting the noise dictate how we express ourselves or create music.
Vienna, Tulum, Barcelona, London, Bali, Vancouver, Zurich… You've visited so many cities this year! What have you enjoyed most about these experiences? Is there any place that has particularly surprised you?
This has been an incredible year, and no matter where we’ve played—Mexico City, Barcelona, Vancouver, LA—people connect with the music in a way that feels surprisingly similar, which we find really fascinating. It’s a reminder that music transcends language and cultural differences. But two concerts really stood out for us this year. The first was at the Wiener Konzerthaus. Performing in such an iconic venue in our hometown was something truly special; it felt like a moment of coming full circle. The second highlight was Burning Man. The energy, the setting, and the entire atmosphere are unlike anything else.
I understand that your next global tour, The Silver Cage, will start in fall 2025.
Yes, that’s correct. Next year, we’ll be going on a world tour with new music and a brand-new show. We’ve just released the first single, What They Gave Me, which kicks off this new chapter in our work and gives a glimpse of what’s to come.
Let's talk about your light show, The Silver Cage, the focus of a new cycle in your work that takes light as a central element of artistic expression for the first time. How did this project come about, and what can you tell us about it?
It all started when we were invited to perform at the Wiener Konzerthaus. We wanted to create something special for such a traditional venue, so we decided to design a unique light show specifically for that performance. While programming and working on the visual elements, we realised that this concept could be much more than just a one-off experience; it could evolve into something bigger. The idea of The Silver Cage grew from there. It became a central theme for a new cycle in our work, exploring the tension between comfort and freedom, between individuality and belonging. The Silver Cage as a metaphor resonated with us deeply on a personal level and in a broader, societal context. It’s a space where we confront expectations, disappointments, and the balance between control and release, both artistically and philosophically. Also, light has always been an important part of HVOB, but this time we’ve taken it even further. We’ve refined it into a central element of storytelling, integrating it more deeply with the music. It’s been an intense process; we spent weeks designing and programming every detail ourselves to ensure that the visuals and the music speak the same language.
What were the development stages, and what obstacles did you find?
One of the biggest challenges was balancing the technical side with the emotional impact we wanted to create. It’s easy to get lost in the details, but we had to ensure that every element served the overall atmosphere and music. Another obstacle was time; we were programming down to the last minute before the premiere at the Wiener Konzerthaus!
As you said, you've released the first single of this new cycle, What They Gave Me, which will be followed by the accompanying video shot by Danish director Vasco Alexandre with you in Copenhagen. What can you tell us about this new track? Are you excited to share it with your audience?
The track What They Gave Me means a lot to us. Playing it live a few times already and experiencing how it resonates with the audience has been incredible. It feels like the perfect way to open this new chapter in our work. The theme of The Silver Cage is also reflected in the music video, but we wanted to leave space for individual interpretation. It’s important to us that everyone finds their own meaning in both the song and the visuals. Working with Vasco in Copenhagen was an amazing experience; his vision brought another layer to the track that we’re really excited to share.