“Willi Leinen and Stefan Degel are redefining the classical guitar. Skilled guitarists who place great emphasis on sound quality and put their technique entirely at the service of the music” (Akustik Gitarre, March 2023)
Bringing classical music together with a modern mindset to create music that offers genuine access and touches the soul. Inspiring the audience to reflect together and consider what truly matters: human connection, exchange, and shared emotions. Far removed from any polarization or social division—that is TMBM’s goal. With two guitars, the duo creates an intensity that is impossible to resist. Willi Leinen and Stefan Degel are both classically trained at the highest level and—what sets them apart—possess both the intuition and experience for songwriting and all styles of modern music. With TMBM, they strike precisely this balance: They balance exceptional instrumental skill with a joy of playing and a sense of ease, while simultaneously creating deep yet accessible soundscapes. Music that never loses its connection to the classical tradition, yet remains open to contemporary pop and a new aesthetic.
After TMBM had already amassed over 1.5 million streams on Spotify with their first releases, the duo released their debut album “Berlin & Other Places” in 2023. This was followed by extensive features in guitar magazines. With their second LP, “Symphonia of Encounters,” TMBM further develops their musical language in terms of compositional style and sonic aesthetics, weaving encounters into a unique narrative. Concerts at venues including the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, the Konzerthaus Berlin, the Alte Oper Frankfurt, the Potsdam Palace Night, as well as at the “Junges Podium” at the Burghof Lörrach and the renowned Stimmen Festival, were met with very positive responses from both audiences and the press. TMBM also gained international attention through a prominent placement of its music in the NBC/Netflix series “The Blacklist” in 2023.