band history
Line-Up
Vocals - Tânia
Fernandes Mendes
Our front woman and powervoice joined the band in May 2025 and ever since has a key position in shaping the band's appearance, sound and style. Her multi-faceted vocal skillset, lyrics writing and vocal composing brings a lot of inspiration and fresh air to the band. She has been in several bands and music projects before joining RNL, and released one album in January 2024 with her latest band "Stytches". And who would guess? On top, she is a wedding and event singer/songwriter. Really that innocent? Find out!
Drums - Dirk Reschke
Our "always too loud, e-drum set refuser" is one of the band's founding members and main songwriters. He rocks the drums since 1994 and was part of numerous bands before founding and building up RNL in 2015. Ever since, he is one of the main characters of the band's line-up and style - and makes our ears ring in rehearsals E-V-E-R-Y time!
Guitar - Stefan Selonke
Our "Zappelphilipp" of a guitarist is also one of the founding members and main songwriters of the band. He joined RNL as his first band, being one of the main characters in building up the band to what it is today.
He is our 80s glamour music lover, and every stage we play on is too small for him. He rather runs off and plays somewhere in the crowd with you. Curious?
Guitar - Matthias (Matze) / ironMatt
Our guitar string acrobat and solo specialist joined the band in 2018 and brings a lot of riff power and inspiration to the band. Besides collecting guitars and doing all the band's technical stuff, a lot is happening in his home studio - from demos to studio pre-recordings. He is our classic hardrock lover and in case you want his attention, you better shout out „Iron Matt“!
Bass Guitar - Andreas (Andy) Baumgart
Our master of the bass joined the band in 2021 and ever since provides plenty of depth at RNL, at all levels.
He has been heavily influenced by crossover, rock, funk, metal and punk styles over the years, and played in multiple bands, such as Slutfreax and Worn out Faces, before finally joining RNL. What a blessing!
Biography
Thinking about Rising Northlight, the following certainly comes into your mind: energetic shows, lots of guitar riffs and solos, loud drums, driving bass, strong vocals and a lot of fun at live shows. Last but not least: Hardrock and Heavy Metal from Hamburg/Germany. Right?! This is what Rising Northlight is all about!
Founded in 2015 by drummer Dirk Reschke and guitarist Stefan Selonke, a lot has changed these last years - specially since renting the rehearsal studio in Heimfeld/Hamburg.
Numerous musicians joined and left RNL over the years, leading to today’s band line-up.
Guitar player Matze (ironMatt) joined the band in 2018, starting with playing bass guitar first, then moving to the e-guitar in 2020. For good reasons, Andy Baumgart, who joined the band in 2021, took over the bass guitar ever since.
In 2020, the band's style took a big turn. The decision: changing the lead vocals to female-fronted. After a first attempt with a female vocalist, Kasjana joined the band in 2021 and set the band's style and appearance in a new direction.
With this band formation, the first studio records were produced and published, starting with the EP in 2022, followed by the single “Endless Universe” in 2023, and “Soulseeker” in 2024. Many still to be recorded singles joined the existing show line-up - many shows have been played these last years. The setlist includes a mix of old songs (still standing the test of time) and great new songs.
Great shows include a joined gig with “Ragnaröek” in September 2023, followed by a big show for the Airbus company in the same month.
In 2024, Kasjana left the band beacuase of her move to Magdeburg. A new vocalist has been searched - and luckily found.
Tânia Fernandes Mendes joined the band in May 2025.
With the new band line-up, again a lot is changing. Tânia brings a lot of new positive energy and inspiration into the band, and sets off for a new style in vocals, songwriting and the band's shows and appearance. The first steps are already made, new songs are in the pipeline.
So stay tuned! - WE WILL RISE!
Discography
ect.
2025 - Single - Sweet Kisses from Hell
- Sweet Kisses from Hell
2024 - Single - Soulseeker
- Soulseeker
2023 - Single - Endless Universe
- Endless Universe
2022 - EP - Rising Northlight
- Another day with you
- Headbanging
- Eagles call
- No way out
- On the run