Ellen Allien is one of the most influential figures in the international electronic music scene. A pioneer of Berlin’s techno culture, she founded the influential BPitch Control label and is the creative force behind projects such as UFO Inc. and the “We Are Not Alone” raves.
Her music ranges from experimental IDM and electro to powerful dancefloor-oriented techno. She has performed on stages around the world, promoted new talent, and set standards as a woman in a male-dominated scene — always with an independent sound, a clear artistic vision, and a genuine passion for club culture.
Born Ellen Fraatz in Berlin in 1968, Ellen Allien began her musical journey in the early 1990s when techno emerged from the subculture into the club scene, seeking new forms of expression. To this day, her sets and productions are characterised by a sophisticated balance of experimental electronics, hard techno grooves and melodic elements — a language that has evolved from acid and house influences to IDM to create her unmistakably unique style.
With releases such as Stadtkind (2001), which reflects Berlin’s post-Wall club culture, she has set sonic milestones, combining local energy with universally danceable textures.
In a scene long dominated by male acts, Ellen Allien has made her mark as a female pioneer, both artistically and culturally. She has never been shaped by stereotypes, but by a pure love of music — an attitude that has encouraged other women in the electronic music scene. Her success demonstrates that techno transcends gender, emphasising the importance of attitude. Her journey of running her own labels and performing on international stages demonstrates how the female presence is establishing itself confidently and sustainably within the global electronic landscape.
She has travelled the world, playing in almost every renowned club important to electronic music, from Berghain & Tresor in Berlin and RSO.Berlin to Distillery in Leipzig, Bootshaus in Cologne, Uebel & Gefährlich in Hamburg, Boiler Room and DC-10 in Ibiza. She consistently sets the standard with her performances at major festivals such as Zurich Street Parade, DGTL, Nuits Sonores, Stone Techno Parade, Time Warp, Mayday, Loveparade, Nature One, ADE and Awakenings, as well as at renowned clubs like Club Space in Miami, Hï Ibiza and Fabric in London. She also creates spaces that focus on collective dancing and community spirit through her own event formats, such as ‘We Are Not Alone’.
In 1999, Ellen founded the BPitch Control label, which has become one of the most important platforms for electronic music and has significantly impacted the careers of other artists. With nearly 300 releases, BPitch is a cornerstone of the scene. In 2018, she founded the label UFO Inc.—a playground for raw, rave-oriented techno sounds. Her discography includes studio albums such as Berlinette, Thrills, Sool, LISm, and Nost, as well as numerous mix compilations, singles, and remixes. Collaborations such as those with Apparat in the Orchestra of Bubbles project demonstrate her openness to musical synergies.
Ellen Allien’s art is not trend surfing, but vision and identity. She combines emotional depth, danceable power and structural curiosity to create a sonic signature that touches both the heart and body. Whether in classic clubs, streaming initiatives, or curatorial contexts, her vision remains clear: music is a form of communal expression, not just a product. Her ability to find creative solutions to global challenges, such as club closures during the pandemic — for example, by performing balcony livestreams — demonstrates her unwavering commitment to community and culture.
Allien sees musical collaboration as mutually enriching. As well as working with Apparat, her curatorial work at BPitch Control and UFO Inc. showcases new talent, including transmedia artists and up-and-coming producers who have emerged from her circle. This interactive approach establishes her as a pivotal figure, not only in creating her own tracks, but also in shaping the sound of others.
