The successful folk rocker Andreas Gabalier is now aiming for the international market: On September 14, he became the first Austrian pop musician to record an MTV unplugged concert at the renowned Odeon Theater in Vienna, with duet partners including opera singer Anna Netrebko, German singer-songwriter Gregor Meyle and XavierNaidoo. The concert will be shown on MTV for the first time on November 25, 2016, and Gabalier's unplugged album will go on sale.
His smash hit "Hulapalu" has now been released as the first MTV unplugged song, in a new version with the German hip hoppers257ers.
event.: Do you see yourself as the inventor of alpine rock, which is popular everywhere?
Andreas Gabalier: No, because many artists have done this before me. I describe my music much more as "folk rock 'n' roll" - it's a mixture of my favorite styles!
How do you explain the immense success of your music and alpine rock in general?
There have always been crossovers in music, even well-known folk groups like the Stoakogler have mixed musical styles. The audience loves a mixture of styles and the productions are well received, but lyrics certainly also play a big role - people want to identify with them.
You often sing about traditions in your songs. How important are these to you?
I think that traditions are an important part of every culture that should be passed on to the next generations.
How do you explain the fact that music that celebrates tradition is so immensely successful at the moment?
It's the normal cycle and the ups and downs within the music landscape. Just like the success of country music in America, or the success of chanson in France, there is always a resurgence of folk music in German-speaking countries.
ANDREAS GABALIER
25.11.16, first broadcast MTV unplugged concert
16.06.17, Kybunpark St. Gallen
17.06.17, Argovia Areal Birrfeld (concert with TRAUFFER)
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