Marina Zettl
Vienna, Vienna, Austria | Established. Jan 01, 2010 | INDIE
Music
Press
Mere seconds into Marina Zetti Band’s second LP Thin Ice, I, the critic, the dude that’s supposed to be all objective and heartless (i.e. critical) was extremely intimidated; intimated because seconds into the album Marina Zettl knocked me on my ass with “It is Fine”, one of the best tracks I’ve heard since Doolittle’s Debaser – and from there it only got “better”. For the next 13 tracks the Marina Zettl Band transition effortlessly from genre to genre – from country, to disco, to electronica, all the while maintaining their sultry jazz sensibilities. It`s well executed and (more importantly) good – like really, very good.
I decided to listen to Thin Ice a bunch of times and really give it an honest review.
So I did, and I did, and I did, and I found some flaws, and got really excited, and I began to write some bullshit review and wax intellectual like I was really smart or clever or whatever – but really, all the flaws I uncovered were petty at best – and only served to make the really great parts stand out even more.
From its songwriting, to its musicianship, to the production, Marina Zettl’s Thin Ice is a well executed, well crafted work of art – an inspiration and a reprimand to all independent musicians.
The Good:
Solid songwriting, musicianship, production, and flow (or arc) of song presentation – nevermind Marina’s willingness to take risks with her songwriting – check out the sexy/angry “Little Miss Wise-Guy, the Americana/country number “You Know”, and the oddly anthemic “Verstand” sung in her native Austrian language.
The Bad:
If I really have to say something “negative” it would be that at 14 tracks long and approximately 50 minutes Thin Ice was a tad overwhelming given the quality of the material, but still as far as criticisms go, that`s petty at best.
The Ugly:
The fact this gal is only on an indie record label and should be a global star.
- Buddy Black - St. John's The Szene Magazine - Toronto
Marina Zettl - Review
Friday March 23, 2012 @ 10:30PM
2012 Slacker Canadian Music Festival
The Tranzac is an interesting venue, remnants of an old church or scout hall; certainly an attention-grabbing spot to host the Jazz Showcase for this year’s Canadian Music Festival.
Marina Zettl, a Viennese jazz performer was the last to play that evening. A few more table’s worth of people had arrived before she, guitarist Thomas Mauerhofer and their drummer began their 30 minute set.
From the moment they took the stage, Marina and Thomas commanded the room with their charm and succeeded in captivating Tranzac’s audience with song selections from their forthcoming LP THIN ICE.
A breath of fresh air, Marina’s jazz-style vocals are unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. They have a power and passion reminiscent of the late Amy Winehouse which definitely made the audience sit up and take notice with songs such as Little Miss Wise Guy while the sweetness in pitch perfect harmonies on I Can’t Take It Anymore are enough to send a shiver down your spine. It is immediately evident that Marina and Thomas pull influences not just from jazz but from pop, soul and funk.
Their combined energy, light spirited-humorous banter between songs, and really good songs at that, only compliment their already exuberant stage presence. It was incredible to watch. They are definitely my pick for best performance at the 2012 Slacker Canadian Music Festival.
- Dulce Barbosa, dB Promotions & Publicity Inc. (Toronto, Canada)
- Dulce Barbossa - DB Promotions
With „Fikus“ Marina Zettl and Thomas Mauerhofer succeeded in creating a shooting piece of music. The songs are not loosing any of their attraction after serveral runs, revealing new astonishments again and again. - Mica Austria
Marina Zettl & Thomas Mauerhofer (Vienna, Austria)
A trio of musicians from Vienna and worthy ambassadors of that famous musical city. Their playing is simply enchanting and compelling – you really could hear the proverbial pin drop when Marina sang. Thomas was playing a hybrid guitar and a number of musicians in the audience were suitably impressed with his ability to accompany his lead and rhythm work with a dissociated bass line on the same instrument. Their original music is at once both haunting and rhythmic, though stretching the word ‘jazz’ they could easily play any top jazz venue in the country. - Lancaster Music Festival
A successsful attempt to create a symbiosos made of ballads, trendy elements and relaxed influences. Exciting sound elements are beeing add everywhere, which ease the whole thing making it both attractive...well an then, the song „Fikus“! A perfect symbiosis of jazzy elements, the beatboxing inserted appropriately, Zettl`s voice really floating over the choirs, wounderfully and yet
hit-suspiciously-that`s obvious. Without any doubt the LP`s highlight. Jazzdimensions - Jazzdimensions
A successsful attempt to create a symbiosos made of ballads, trendy elements and relaxed influences. Exciting sound elements are beeing add everywhere, which ease the whole thing making it both attractive...well an then, the song „Fikus“! A perfect symbiosis of jazzy elements, the beatboxing inserted appropriately, Zettl`s voice really floating over the choirs, wounderfully and yet
hit-suspiciously-that`s obvious. Without any doubt the LP`s highlight. Jazzdimensions - Jazzdimensions
Able to shine out of the plant diversity in particular is „love on a landline“, that-with a vibrant beatdefinitely shows hit-potential. Standing out musically is- besides Zettl`s friendly and clear voice-in particular Mauerhofer`s multi-faceted guitar playing and Christian Bakanic`s accordion.
Drehpunktkultur.at - Drehpunktkultur.at
Able to shine out of the plant diversity in particular is „love on a landline“, that-with a vibrant beatdefinitely shows hit-potential. Standing out musically is- besides Zettl`s friendly and clear voice-in particular Mauerhofer`s multi-faceted guitar playing and Christian Bakanic`s accordion.
Drehpunktkultur.at - Drehpunktkultur.at
Jazzy Songwriting with brains! - Standard
The accomplishement of both the vocalist and the guitarist is to sound equally opulent and narrowed: Strong melodies and playfull sounds are well-balanced here. - Kurier
The accomplishement of both the vocalist and the guitarist is to sound equally opulent and narrowed: Strong melodies and playfull sounds are well-balanced here. - Kurier
Knackiger frischer Sound aus Österreich. Und das, obwohl die Musik des Duos gänzlich ohne Schlagzeug auskommt. Gitarre, Cello, Akkordeon und klarer Gesang treffen auf würzige Klangatmosphären. - Miss
Knackiger frischer Sound aus Österreich. Und das, obwohl die Musik des Duos gänzlich ohne Schlagzeug auskommt. Gitarre, Cello, Akkordeon und klarer Gesang treffen auf würzige Klangatmosphären. - Miss
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
MARINA ZETTL: WATCH ME BURN
Watch me burn. Hearts can not only break, but burn just as well. And music from the heart is what this is about.
The heart lies almost inbetween head and abdomen, therefore music made with the heart is the best because it refers to both spirit and guts.
Traditional music critics will not admit: The era of ingenious dilettantes is long gone. All that is needed now is charismatic musicians that create more than rules require.
With their third album singer Marina Zettl and her partners in crime guitarist Thomas Mauerhofer and drummer Jrg Haberl (all three play many more instruments) managed it to obtain the energy of their live performances in the studio as well. The magic word is reduction: no strings or big arrangements this time, no nonsense during songwriting, simply getting to the point. At the best moments it recalls the golden age of songwriters in the 70s, with a sound that has its roots in the here and now.
In that sense: Watch them burn!! On recording and live
Bio:
The starting point for this musical journey was a series of gigs the two played for various bands as hired sidemen. They instantly understood that they shared the same vision in music, and decided to join forces to find something of their own.
What only began as occasional songwriting sessions soon ended as fully-fledged debut album Fikus that was completely unique in its conception and instrumentation. No conventional drum-sounds but self-recorded sounds of all sorts and human beatbox were used as main rhythmic elements.
Their unique approach to soundscapes was featured in an article of one of Germanys biggest recording magazines Sound & Recording.
Critically acclaimed, the album showed the need for supporting musicians to form a band for touring to spread their music. These were found in the fabulous drummer and singer Jrg Haberl and multi-instrumentalist Christian Bakanic.
Thin Ice, their second album, is a live album recorded in a studio. No, this is not a contradiction in terms: there is more power to music when played live, full of energy, and this is exactly what this album is all about. The famous first takes with rough edges, says Marina Zettl.
Onstage, Marina Zettl is a burst of energy who instantly captures the audience. She played at the Lancaster Music Festival, Jazzfest Vienna, Jazzsommer Graz, Jazzfestival Maribor and is featured in all the promo videos to AKGs Perception Microphone Series.
The story of Marina Zettls is a story of escape. This is not as radical as it sounds; obviously, one does not want to collapse within routines, and needs to escape as soon as boredom takes over. Then, off onto thin ice!
Into whatever form the music swings somewhere between light and heavy, humorous, melancholic, the daily craziness, pop and jazz, rhythm & soul and oh stereotypes! As already mentioned: Long live the between!
Band Members
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