Tom Finster began his electronic music project in 2018 as a space for personal expression and creative experimentation. The artist, whose real name is Thomas Kuechler, grew up in a small village in eastern Germany near the Czech border and is now based in Leipzig. He has said that music offered a form of escapism while he was growing up, more private than social, and that the project gives him a way to express what affects him personally. His early work moved through breaks and ambient before drum and bass became a central part of the project.
His 2019 release Phantom Power / Element 115 appeared through Neosignal and NËU. In 2020, he put out the EP From Here On Blind on DIVIDID. Finster’s experimental releases have appeared on UPSCALE and INSPECTED, while his more dancefloor-focused tracks have come out on NËU and DIVIDID. Other labels connected to his releases include VALE and Hospital Records. His music spans drum and bass, breaks and ambient, with melody and harmony among its stated focuses. Finster has also spoken of exploring melancholic and nostalgic feelings in his songs, and sometimes sings on his tracks.
DIVIDID released his debut album, Year of I, a record centred on self-reflection, recurring personal patterns and change. Finster sings on every track on the album, and has said the project is close to him personally. His other releases include the album ALL THINGS FALL APART. Remix work has connected him with Camo & Krooked and Mefjus, The Caracal Project, Rohaan and Apashe. His releases have also appeared on Neosignal, MODUS, PILOT, OVERVIEW and VISION.
Finster and Barking Continues make music together as DONKONG. Finster has described their roles as complementary: Barking Continues brings a stronger focus on songwriting, while Finster concentrates on sound. Finster has also worked on music for the German artists Casper, Kraftklub and Clueso.