Marina Zettl

Artist Information

Biography

Forget about being reasonable, and switch off your head. Just do it, move out onto thin ice: this is something which musicians seem to walk on more and more often. ‘Thin Ice’ is the new album by the Viennese singer Marina Zettl and guitarist Thomas Mauerhofer. For both, their music roots are in jazz but they are not stuck there. Long live the in-between!
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 Germany’s 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 Jörg 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 AKG’s Perception Microphone Series.
The story of Marina Zettl’s 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!

Instrumentation

Marina Zettl - Vocals
Thomas Mauerhofer - electric/acoustic guitar, 8-String-Guitar
Jörg Haberl - Vocals, Drums

Discography

Discography:
Fikus [Debut CD 2010]
Thin Ice [April 2012]

Radio Airplay:

Official Website

http://www.marinazettl.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Last.fm
• Twitter
• YouTube

Audio

• Is it fine?
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• Nightscope
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• Departed Girl
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• Love on the Landline
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• Almost Written
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Lyrics

• Little Miss Wise Guy
• Hug in a Cup
• Almost Written
• Departed Girl
• Is it fine?
• Nightscope

Video

Is it Fine-HD 720p.mov

MARINA ZETTL - THIN ICE.mp4

Photo Gallery

Press

• Marina Zettl & Thomas Mauerhofer Concert Review [+ Show ]
  

  Marina Zettl & Thomas Mauerhofer (Vienna, Austria) A trio of musicians from Vienna and worthy amb...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.

• Marina Zettl - Thin Ice [+ Show ]
  

  Mere seconds into Marina Zetti Band’s second LP Thin Ice, I, the critic, the dude that’s supposed to...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

• Canadian Music Week [+ Show ]
  

  Marina Zettl - Review Friday March 23, 2012 @ 10:30PM 2012 Slacker Canadian Music Festival The ...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)
  

• Marina Zettl & Thomas Mauerhofer CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  With „Fikus“ Marina Zettl and Thomas Mauerhofer succeeded in creating a shooting piece of music. The...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.

• Marina Zettl & Thomas Mauerhofer - Fikus [+ Show ]
  

  Knackiger frischer Sound aus Österreich. Und das, obwohl die Musik des Duos gänzlich ohne Schlagzeug...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.

• Marina Zettl & Thomas Mauerhofer - Fikus [+ Show ]
  

  A successsful attempt to create a symbiosos made of ballads, trendy elements and relaxed influences....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

• Marina Zettl & Thomas Mauerhofer - Fikus [+ Show ]
  

  The accomplishement of both the vocalist and the guitarist is to sound equally opulent and narrowed:...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.

• Marina Zettl & Thomas Mauerhofer - Fikus
  

  Jazzy Songwriting with brains!

• Marina Zettl & Thomas Mauerhofer - Fikus [+ Show ]
  

  Able to shine out of the plant diversity in particular is „love on a landline“, that-with a vibrant ...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

Setlist

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