Biography
Musical heart-openers between the Alps and the Balkans
ALPKAN are more than just a band – they are musical boundary-breakers and heart-openers, captivating audiences from the Alps to the Balkans with their unique sounds. With a combination of humour, irony, tragic realities and virtuosic music, they create a compelling and entertaining musical experience.
Musical Style and Influences
ALPKAN’s music is characterised by an unusual mix of Alpine folk music, Balkan sounds and powerful brass, combined with satirical and sometimes silly lyrics. Their pieces are a loving but mischievous reinterpretation of well-known genres – they make the slow faster, the predictable unpredictable and the sweet cheeky.
As they say themselves: “Our aim is to trigger mutations in the Alpine sound that further develop the spectrum. We play it, but not as you know it.”
Press Reviews
Peter Grubmüller of the OÖN praises the band for their “entertaining artistic verve” and the unique mix of raw and virtuosic sound that brilliantly connects the Balkans and the Alps.
(Oberösterreichische Nachrichten, July 2024)
The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger describes an ALPKAN performance as “musically getting down to business”, with flamenco sounds followed by powerful brass elements that captivate the audience.
(Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, 26 January 2024)
In an interview with OÖNachrichten, the band explains their approach: “We make the sweet nastier and the slow livelier.” This drive for innovation is ALPKAN’s trademark.
(OÖNachrichten, 5 May 2023)
The music magazine Concerto celebrates the band as the “discovery of spring” and praises their humour, their hearty brass sound and their silly lyrics, which offer an exciting reinterpretation of folk music.
(Musikmagazin Concerto, June 2021)
Albums and Releases
With their debut album “Hoas is!”, ALPKAN have proven that they excel both on stage and in the studio. The album’s 15 tracks are characterised by a mix of satirical lyrics and virtuosic musicianship, generating enthusiasm from the very first beat.
Music critic Alexander Kochmann describes the album as “an original and independent mix” that convinces with its playful wit and high entertainment value.
(MICA-Musikmagazin, 26 May 2021)
Live Performances and Success
Whether at festivals or in small clubs – ALPKAN deliver a captivating live show that gets the audience dancing, smiling and marvelling. With their mix of Alpine and Balkan influences, they have quickly made a name for themselves in the music scene.
The OÖNachrichten reviewer gives the album “Hoas is!” a proud 5 out of 6 stars and praises it as a debut stroke of luck, characterised by “a perfect mix of raw and virtuosic”.
(OÖNachrichten, 12 May 2021)