Walzerkönig

AustroTOP – Die 100 wichtigsten österreichischen Popsongs – The Gap

astridexner — Mon, 18 May 2020 12:34:24 +0200

AustroTOP – Die 100 wichtigsten österreichischen Popsongs – The Gap:

Years of blogging about the Austrian music scene prepared me for this: I was recently part of a jury consisting of The Gap journalists who, in the first lockdown weekend, voted on the 100 most important pop songs from Austria. And then I wrote about one fifth of them. It was so much fun, plus it got me through the first days of Corona Ausnahmezustand. Read it here if you’re interested!

Oxyjane – DreamsMaybe it’s the autumny video, but this song...

astridexner — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 14:01:38 +0100

Oxyjane – Dreams

Maybe it’s the autumny video, but this song gives me spring feelings. I can absolutely imagine this grungy-in-a-laid-back-way track on my spring playlist, walking through a park and humming along to the elegantly simple line “I just wanna be the one in your dreams”. I just wish the chorus was… bigger. More fulfilling or more daring. Not so much like a lover that butters you up and then abruptly ghosts you.

Sanja Cin – Change In ChunksI’m not kidding, that is some...

astridexner — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 14:01:03 +0100

Sanja Cin – Change In Chunks

I’m not kidding, that is some serious suit game right there. What a fun video. The song has some very catchy bits too. Sanja Cin currently lives in Manchester, but used to live in Vienna.

Crush – There You GoDo you know that saying, “Don’t meet your...

astridexner — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 14:01:26 +0100

Crush – There You Go

Do you know that saying, “Don’t meet your heroes”? The idea that people you look up to might turn out to be assholes sounds pretty realistic to me.

What does this have to do with Crush? They might turn out to be assholes when you meet them, but I’d say the risk is pretty low. It’s just that early Popfest curator and FM4 correspondent (among other things) Robert Rotifer wrote them a short press release and (rightfully) compared them to Blondie. Coincidentally, I just read Debbie Harry’s autobiography “Face It”. And unfortunately it’s a bit shallow and it makes me question my whole Blondie appreciation? So I guess the saying should be expanded to “Don’t meet your heroes and don’t read their autobiographies”.

Conveniently, that leaves more time to find new heroes and listen to their music, like Crush. Win-win!

Rambo Rambo Rambo – MontalbánI am absolutely here for this. I do...

astridexner — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 14:01:44 +0100

Rambo Rambo Rambo – Montalbán

I am absolutely here for this. I do not mind the artsy attitude or the secretiveness of their PR strategy, but it’s really not necessary. These Simon & Garfunkel harmonies are utterly beautiful.

Rambo Rambo Rambo are playing live next on January 24th, 2020 at Kik Ried. Their album Stories of the Ueberwelt is out now on Ramboozle Records.

Fuzzman – PferdeäpfelHappy holidays.

astridexner — Sat, 21 Dec 2019 14:00:40 +0100

Fuzzman – Pferdeäpfel

Happy holidays.

Dives – ChicoThe rise of Dives coincided with the hibernation of...

astridexner — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 14:01:02 +0100

Dives – Chico

The rise of Dives coincided with the hibernation of Walzerkönig, which is why – gasp – I have never so far featured any of the band’s bops (and there are many). It’s a mistake that must be immediately rectified, because Dives are easily the best Austrian band of the year 2019.

Amanda – Aus ewigem LiachtI definitely wasn’t planning on...

astridexner — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 14:00:45 +0100

Amanda – Aus ewigem Liacht

I definitely wasn’t planning on listening to this song. It was described to me in an email as “Mundart / Psychedelic Rock” and that just made me want to barf. But, you’ve got to give credit where credit is due: This combination works surprisingly well. And in a sea of uninspired Dialektbands of recent years, Amanda have a USP that makes me respect them more than I thought was possible for an all-male band with a woman’s name as their band name.

Don’t Go – Maybe We’re Just Getting YoungerI’ve had a shit...

astridexner — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 14:00:49 +0100

Don’t Go – Maybe We’re Just Getting Younger

I’ve had a shit year.

That’s not entirely true. Let’s call it “challenging” instead.

But there were some highlights. Like when I was filling in for a no-show delegate at a Waves Vienna listening session, giving professional feedback for up-and-coming bands, and the first song that was played was this.

The way “Maybe We’re Just Getting Younger” starts is an instant reminder of “Modern Drift” by Efterklang. Then, when the drums set in, you start to notice the influence of the track’s producer, Sophie Lindinger of Leyya and My Ugly Clementine. Finally, a beautifully husky voice singing “Maybe we’re all but stars” adds to the keys and drums, and that is the moment you just have to fall in love with this band. Especially if you’re a struggling thirty-something painfully aware of your own mortality, the circle of life and people having children everywhere you look.

It is so reassuring to be reminded that even if you’re having a “challenging” year, in the grand scheme of things, it really doesn’t matter at all. And you really are just stardust. And you’re part of something so big it’s impossible to grasp. Like all sublime works of art, this song puts things in perspective and leaves you elated at the same time.

MIT Musik-Informations-Tage 2018

astridexner — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 12:04:56 +0200

MIT Musik-Informations-Tage 2018:

Here’s a good opportunity to revisit good old wienXtra Jugendinfo: the MIT Musik-Informations-Tage are happening again. Entry is free! I was invited to talk about social media in the world of music. There will be plenty of space for your questions. Come through!

„Die ist so extrem. Ich glaub, die isst Männer.“

astridexner — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 11:01:10 +0200

„Die ist so extrem. Ich glaub, die isst Männer.“:

I interviewed Mira Lu Kovacs of Schmieds Puls and 5K HD and Yasmin Hafedh of Yasmo & die Klangkantine for WUK Magazine (in German).

What’s wrong with the “Space Nation” Asgardia? // Exploring...

astridexner — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 10:00:21 +0200

What’s wrong with the “Space Nation” Asgardia? // Exploring Space

I was thrilled when I heard of the idea of a space nation. Now, not so much anymore. Watch as Full Frontal with Samantha Bee dives deep into the oligarch turned space royal who founded Asgardia. Of course his followers are 85% men. 🤦‍♀️

Single Revue: Sigrid – SchedulesThe whoop is addictive. I saw...

astridexner — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 10:00:13 +0200

Single Revue: Sigrid – Schedules

The whoop is addictive.

I saw Sigrid during the Europavox festival in Clermont-Ferrand, France this June. She played on the medium stage, but gave off major Ariana Grande vibes, down to the extra long ponytail. Schedules wasn’t even released yet, but, true to the line “I think you’re a hit”, it was the instant hit of her set.

Single Revue: Leyya – WannabeHas anyone mastered the blinky eye...

astridexner — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 10:00:19 +0200

Single Revue: Leyya – Wannabe

Has anyone mastered the blinky eye thingy yet?

Releasing one summer hit after the other, Leyya have gone from melancholic to cheeky, and I dig this development, although this isn’t the Spice Girls cover I hoped it would be.

Single Revue: Miblu – Still MeThis is such a bop I will overlook...

astridexner — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 10:00:30 +0200

Single Revue: Miblu – Still Me

This is such a bop I will overlook the shameless plugging of the singer’s own jewellery line. Also, I’ve been waiting for the return of perms for ages. Let’s make them happen again, pleeeease.

Popfest Wien 2018 // PLAYLISTWer sich auch so gern auf...

astridexner — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 10:00:13 +0200

Popfest Wien 2018 // PLAYLIST

Wer sich auch so gern auf Freizeitveranstaltungen vorbereitet wie ich, findet hier alle (auf Spotify verfügbaren) Bands und Acts, die beim Popfest Wien von 26. bis 29. Juli spielen werden, in chronologischer Reihenfolge.

The Perfect Wedding Reception // PLAYLISTSince it’s wedding...

astridexner — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 11:30:23 +0200

The Perfect Wedding Reception // PLAYLIST

Since it’s wedding season and I’m the occasional wedding DJ, I thought I’d share the 100% perfect wedding reception and dinner playlist

for that warm and fuzzy,
90s romcom soundtrack feeling,
perfect for a summer garden party atmosphere
celebrating love.

Feel free to use it!

The tried and tested, 12+ hours, all-day summer playlist //...

astridexner — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 10:00:13 +0200

The tried and tested, 12+ hours, all-day summer playlist // PLAYLIST

This is my go-to summer playlist. Running longer than 12 hours, you can listen to it for a whole day at the pool or pick and choose the bits in it that fit your summer mood best. Starting with some laid-back tracks, the playlist combines summer classics with songs you already forgot existed and tracks you may not have heard yet. And all of them will enhance your carefree summer mood.

I’ve tested it extensively myself during roadtrips, holidays, sunbathing sessions and poolside BBQs. Enjoy!

What to do in Clermont-Ferrand during Europavox: Celebrating...

astridexner — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 10:00:26 +0200

What to do in Clermont-Ferrand during Europavox:
Celebrating Europe in the heart of France

It’s probably not the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about France. Possibly not even the second or third. A city the size of Salzburg, Clermont-Ferrand doesn’t even make it into the top 20 of French cities by population. But when it comes to the annual Festival Europavox, for a few days Clermont-Ferrand becomes the center of Europe.

The Europavox Festival

For over a decade, the Europavox festival has been inviting bands from all over Europe to the Auvergne to paint a picture of the musical diversity of the continent. You can check out the 2018 line-up on Spotify.

Last year was the first time I got to go as well. There was even some time in between meetings and concerts and wine tastings to steal an hour away from the festival area to visit the historic city center. To prepare for my second time in the Auvergne, I made a list of other things to check out in the vicinity, depending on how much time there will be. If you’re interested in what Clermont-Ferrand has to offer besides the Europavox festival (Industrial history! Cathedrals made of lava stone! Volcanoes!), keep on reading.

And of course, if you can’t make it all the way to Clermont-Ferrand, there are Europavox satellite festivals all over Europe – Athens, Bologna, Brussels, Vienna, Vilnius or Zagreb, take your pick. Europavox Vienna 2018 takes place November 2-3 at WUK in Vienna (disclaimer: it’s where I work).

If you have an hour

Visit L’Aventure Michelin
The history of the company Michelin is tied to Clermont-Ferrand. Located conveniently close to the festival site, the Michelin museum shines a light on this shared history, tyres and beyond.

If you have an afternoon

Stroll around in the center
As you approach, you can already see the landmark of Clermont-Ferrand, its cathedral made out of lava stone. Have a look up close and then discover the streets and shops around it.
Parc Montjuzet
The biggest park in Clermont-Ferrand (26 hectares!) offers a truly stunning panorama view. If you weren’t impressed by the cathedral up close, from up there you definitely will be.

If you have a whole day to explore

Puy de Dôme
It’s volcano time! At 1,465 meters, the Puy de Dôme is a popular hiking destination in the area. You may know it from the Tour de France or as the area where Volvic water comes from. Once there, you can walk up a trail or take the Panoramique des Domes. But unfortunately it’s hard to get there without access to a car.

Single Revue: Tove Styrke – SwaySweden, am I right? A star ten...

astridexner — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 11:30:05 +0200

Single Revue: Tove Styrke – Sway

Sweden, am I right?

A star ten years in the making, Tove Styrke came to Vienna as opening act for Katy Perry this week. Let’s forgive her for calling out to the audience, “What’s up, Munich?” (touring can be confusing!), and focus instead on her new single. While it won’t be her break-out hit either, let’s appreciate how Tove provides us with low-key pop gems that the masses just haven’t caught up with yet.