The artists of the Cordial Family

The band name – literally translated”100 kilos of heart“ – unmistakably describes how much energy and love are embedded in these guys coming from the area around Leipzig. Forget other bands’ insignificant punk rumpus – these boys offer you classical punk rock combined with trumpet and sax sounds. Since 2015 the guys have been rocking the stages and festivals with this unusual combination together with punk legends like Sondaschule, Oxo86, Freibeuter or Toxoplasma. It's never just about the music. Even though their stuff often enough deals with life, music is still an escape from everyday life - for the band and hopefully also for one or the other listener. It won't change the world, but it will make your own life more livable. At least sometimes. So, in their work, they want to crystallize some of the romanticism that makes up real punk rock and sometimes face the consequences, too. 

In the summer of 1967, San Francisco’s first all-female rock band burst onto the scene.

The young women of the Ace Of Cups were pioneers, dealing with issues that their male counterparts of the day did not have to. Even with the gender challenge of the day they brought a soulful, poetic sensibility to the stages of the psychedelic ballrooms and could fully hold their own with the gnarliest rockers in town. They were the first all female groups to be taken seriously enough to be given an equal share of the stage with their male peers.

Despite making a big impact as a live act, and sharing billing with everyone from Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane and The Grateful Dead, the band stopped performing without ever recording an album of their own in 1972. 

About 50 years later, in November 2018, they finally released their debut studio album long overdue. Their songs lay buried in old scrapbooks, on unmarked home tape reels and in the collective memories of those involved. It’s a stunning collection that reflects their unique origins and deep life stories. But they did not stop there. In 2020 they released their second studio album Sing Your Dreams.

Ladies and Gentlemen: It's AGENT! in the Mix !
AGENT! alias Andreas Schreck has his roots in the Golden Age of Hip Hop, becoming obsessed with ‘Black Gold’(records) at the end of the 90’s. His diverse musical background and formidable skills behind the decks, have paved the way for AGENT!’s signature, open approach to his sets.
From a long-standing residency at Club Airport in Würzburg to highly requested and respected performances in clubs such as D-Edge in Sao Paulo, Fabric in London, WOMB in Tokyo, Tresor in Berlin or Key Events such as WMC in Miami, CTEMF (Capetown Electronic Music Festival) or Corona Sunsets Parties; AGENT! is a high power Tech House act and an awesome performer; his sets have energy, precision and most of all, vibe. He mixes up styles and moods, but always remains frmly focused on the dance foor’s needs.
Inspired by his Hip Hop roots, old Funk and 90's techno music, coupled with a great understanding for danceable vibes, he began producing his own music in 2008. Releases on labels including, GET PHYSICAL, COCOON REC, DESOLAT, MOON HARBOUR, LAPSUS MUSIC and more, speak to the quality of his productions. Learn more

Guitarist/singer Ali Handal is equally at home performing as a solo artist or as a member of Ragdolls, the Ultimate Female Aerosmith Tribute Band. She rocks with contagious energy and precision, and nails those Aerosmith tunes - not easy feat!

Andreas Schmid-Martelle aka Martelle first drew the attention of the public in 1988, being the guitarist in the famous german Jule Neigel Band. During his stay until mid 2002, the band sold about 2 Million discs.

Today, Martelle concentrates on composing, producing, recording, mixing and mastering. Since 2008, he's one of german label Popvirus's main authors, producing album after album. He plays the guitar with London based singer Tarq Bowen as well as in his own "Martelle Trio". From time to time there will be a Martelle solo album, the last one's entitled "The Doors Will Open".

1996 has been the first year of “Martelle’s Messe Show”, a special concert with various illustrious home and foreign guests during Frankfurt Musikmesse time. This special event continues each and every year until today.

Many years ago, well-known blues singer and drummer Tommie Harris has engaged Martelle to be host, singer, and guitarist for Frankfurt’s famous weekly Blues/Funk/Soul session with Tommie Harris & Friends at Orange Peel club.

In 1991 and 1994, Martelle has been hosting two very successful Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute shows. 2015, on SRV’s 25th day of death, a third one at renowned Frankfurt Palmengarten band shell.

Grammy Award winner Andrew Gouche is known for his amazing bass playing skills, his impeccable tone and for 40 years of laying the musical foundations for numerous world-class artists including Quincy Jones, Prince, Michael Jackson, Joe Cocker, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight and Snoop Dogg.

Widely known as the "Godfather of Gospel Bass", Andrew Gouche encountered Cordial cables at Summer NAMM in Nashville in 2018,  when he presented his signature bass model, created in collaboration with Michael Tobias, at the booth next to ours. He was immediately thrilled by the quality of the Cordial cables, which quickly led to a “cordial” and creative business relationship of which the most significant result so far is his own Cordial signature cable, the CSI PP ANDREW GOUCHE.

Axel “Ironfinger“ Ritt got his hands on the guitar for the very first time at the age of 12. His first musical influences were the british masters of the big tone like Jeff Beck, Brian May and in the first row, Gary Moore. From the age of 13, Axel entered the stage regularly and kept the straight road to develop his technical abilities as a rock guitarist. More about Axel Ritt

His favorite Cordial equipment (excerpts):

• CXI PP-SNOW
• CRI PP "ROAD"
• CSI PP-METAL
• CXM FM-SNOW

Truly astonishing” – Classic Rock Magazine
“F***ing amazing!” – Jeff Beck
“A REALLY good player” – Gary Moore
“So amazing!” – Beth Hart
“Killer!” – Kenny Wayne Shepherd
“Unbelievable!” – Richie Kotzen
“Exudes class & prowess” – Guitar Techniques Magazine
“Ben Poole is the full package” – Maverick Magazine
“Definitely one to watch” – Guitarist Magazine
“A really fresh sound and style” – Paul Jones (BBC Radio 2)
“This is a young man to look out for as he is no doubt a rising talent” – Blues Matters Magazine

Beyond The Black’s success story began in 2015 with the band’s debut album "Songs Of Love And Death". The album stayed in the Top 15 of the charts for weeks and earned the band the prestigious "Metal Hammer" award in the category "Best Debut Album". Then the band lived up to its earlier success with its follow-up “Lost In Forever”, which went to #4 in the charts in 2016 and resulted in a huge Beyond The Black tour through Germany, Great Britain, Russia and Japan. At the Wacken Open Air the band has been an institution for 6 years now and, furthermore, Beyond The Black also accompanied superstars like Aerosmith, Korn, the Scorpions or Within Temptation as a support act. In the fall of 2019, the band started its first European tour as the headline act. “Hørizøns”, the band’s current studio album even rocketed to #3 of the official German charts.

"Just when you thought nothing else could surprise you, along comes Bigband Dachau." The Bavarian Jazz Institute is not alone in its excitement about the 25-person MassiveJazzTechno-Ensemble conducted by Tom Jahn (aka Tom Tornado).
The thrilling line-up with two full drum kits, heaps of synthesizers and keyboards, trumpets, saxophones and trombones combines the driving beats of modern electronic dance music with the pure sound force of a huge big band horn section and a healthy portion of live improvisation. With plenty of glitter and unleashed enthusiasm, Bigband Dachau electrifies listeners on the spot – whether in dance clubs, at the Montreux Jazz Festival 2017 or the EXPO Milano 2015.
Their pulsing rhythms and horn kicks, Hip Hop beats and electronic samples, thunderstorms of synthesizers and analogue bass lines is a unique combination: techno meets jazz, digital meets analogue and big band meets disco. A Bigband Dachau concert always ends with cheering crowds and sweat-soaked dancers. In 2018, the ensemble was awarded the Tassilo Cultural Prize by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung.
Be warned: This band's wicked rhythms will drive you insane!

• CPM FM
• CSI PP-METAL

Founded in 2012, the alternative rock band Blackout Problems convinces with a creative balancing act between different genres. Their songs defy the usual classification categories. Atmospheric guitar riffs will burn themselves into your into the long-term memory of every Alexisonfire or Being As An Ocean fan and heavy melancholic sentiments and sensations will give you hot and cold goose bumps, the balancing act between engulfing intellectuality and catchy tangs reminds of alternative greats like Biffy Clyro. Ultimately you will experience unheard-of Alternative Rock positioned between wide arcs of suspense, post-hardcore-influenced vigor, piano melancholy and electronic feedback sounds – a distinct outcry, at the same time passionately torn and coldly disillusioned.

Live the 4 guys from Munich put on  a show that puts some world stars in the shade. No wonder: Besides support tours with Massendefekt, Heisskalt, Jennifer Rostock, Apologies, I Have None and Royal Republic they can look back on some celebrated and impressive gigs at Circus Halligalli, BR Puls Startramp or the Rocket Beans. In line with this, their 2016 debut "Holy" gained a position in the Top 50 of the German album charts.

In 2018 the young band from Munich carried on and went one better with their second album, "Kaos", released on the band's own label Munich Warehouse. Even more masterful and commanding, even stronger on the vocal side, even more dynamic due to the band’s typical mix of rigorousness and calmness. 
This band is proceeding - and progressing – steadily. We’re looking forward to a lot more goodies!

Bavarian Future Rock, stage performances wrapped in gold, lots of space for synthesizers within their songs: all these are ingredients preparing the soil for Brew Berrymore. Over 100,000 plays on Spotify for the singles of their debut album "Have A Beer in Stratosphere" and around 100 celebrated live gigs plus various support tours with known acts since the founding of the band in 2017 have proven that the concept of the newcomers from Regensburg is succeeding.

Cherry Gehring is a singer, keyboardist, composer, comedian and co-founder of the ComedyPop Trio Backblech. He has been on tour with Pur as a singer and keyboardist for decades. Whether crossover with a big orchestra, swing and jazz with a big band, rock with GoMusic or party with Madchick of Soul. With his unique voice, Cherry gives everything his personal touch. Echo award winner 2016 with Pur "Best German-speaking band".

“Crazy” Chris Kramer – the many-sided harp-player

Chris went out into the world to “redefine the context of contemporary harp playing”, so says Götz Alsmann, who is a very famous artist in Germany and doctor of musicology, when he was asked to give a comment on Kramer’s music.

One thing is that Chris is at home when it comes to Blues und he is living it out like only few do in Germany but then again, he is a creative trouble spot giving the word trouble a good connotation. He always comes up with something new no one thought about doing, that’s why colleagues started to call him “Crazy” Chris.

And now after being a professional artist for more than fifteen years he can not only retrospect on much more than a thousand gigs and ten CDs but also on the fact that he always accepted a new challenge.

His most-loved project is called “Chris Kramer and his Groove Hands”. The line-up seems to be unusual. But the sound of violin together with Chris’ harp is fresh, independent and still powerful and virtuoso. Here, Chris can show all of his talent, right through all kinds of styles and rhythms no matter if it is gypsy-swing as of Django Reinhart, Funk, Swing, Bossa Nova or Country. Chris always hits the right tone and is master of all styles music has to offer.

On his CD with the title “Komm’ mit!” (2008) he again enters fresh ground singing the Blues in his native language, German. He asserrts that he emulated his musical idols for much too long finding now finally to himself as an artist. To express the variety of feelings that are part of his songs in one’s mother-tongue is much more comfortable for Kramer. Consequently, he digged his own way, his more than 400 harps always by his side, not caring about clichés.

Turn of the year 2008/2009 should be an absolute highlight on this way. He travelled to the USA to record his new album “...unterwegs”. “Crazy” and brave enough to contact some of his musical heroes, he managed to unite them on this record. So every single song could be taped with the instrumentation of his dreams. Amongst others he got the support of: Mel Gaynor - world class drummer of Simple Minds, Chuck Leavell - keyboard Rolling Stones, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Allman Bros. Band, and as he wanted to catch the authentic Chicago blues in his album he made no compromises: He brought the original musicians of the Muddy Waters Band on board.

Last but not least he visited Mick Taylor in London, who adds his fulminant slide-guitar as a proper opener for the cd.

During this trip Chris was also performing on countless stages together with other artists.

Always on his side: a camera team to film all the highlights and bring it to the cinemas as a documentary.

Alongside to his occupation as an author, he offered all kinds of harmonica workshops. Chris Kramer is also established in the European music scene as a singer and guitar player giving solo and duet concerts as well as going on tour with a band line-up usually consisting of an additional guitar, piano, drums and bass.

A performing Artist/Producer/Vocal Coach and a voting member for the Grammy Awards for 24 years.

Chuck Plaisance is an international musician with performances in the USA, Japan, Germany, Hawaii, Brazil, India, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Grand Turk Islands, Spain, Holland and Belgium.

Chuck Plaisance was born near New Orleans Louisiana. At the age of 13 was touring as frontman, lead singer and guitarist doing theatrical rock with the bands Flyght, Halifax, Impulse VII and Voyager.

He also worked as concert producer on bigger concert productions such as: Air Supply, Kansas, Cheap Trick, Dr. John, The Neville Brothers & The Meters, to name a few.

After his move to Hollywood, in the mid 80’s, he was hired as a full time Hollywood Vocal Instructor at Musicians Institute and held that position for 18 years.  During this time, Chuck performed with fellow instructors for Live performing workshops called “the Hollywood Pro Series”. This MIT teachers band included Tim Bogert, Doanne, Perry, Steve Dudas, Howard Laravea and Steve Bailey.

Chuck has performed at most of the famous venues in Hollywood such as,

Universal Amphi-theatre (Duet with Diana Ross), The Hollywood Bowl, The Greek Theatre, The John Ansen Ford Theatre, The Wiskey Ago-go, The Troubadore, The Viper Room.

In 1989 he was hired by Chris Currell of the Michael Jackson “Bad” band to manage his Synclavier studio and provide tour support for the last leg of the Michael Jackson “Bad” Tour. He was also sent to Japan to serve as production co-ordinator for Ozaki Yutaka and Gwinko on the Epic/Sony and CBS/Sony labels.

As a pioneer in the field of 3D Sound recording, Chuck recorded the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra “Gershwins in Hollywood”, The Gadin Shartse Monks “Sacred Earth”, Ernestine Anderson “Live at the BB King Club” “Blues Dues and Love News”. He also served as 3D Sound consultant for Stixx Hooper and Gary Wright.

In 1993 Chuck founded 3D Sound Inc. and created the world’s first 3D Virtual Instrument presets for stereo samplers. “The Piano”, “The Dreamweaver” (co-produced by Gary Wright), “3D Drums” Samples and “3D Industrial Sound Events” Samples.

Together with Suzanne Doucet he published over 200 CD’s for relaxation, meditation and sleep aides which topped the charts worldwide and still rank high in the New Age charts in several countries. These Series were: “Sounds of Nature” Series, “Tranquility” Series, National Park Adventures” Series, “Extreme Weather” Series, “Extreme Nature” Series plus many more.

From 2004 to 2006 he was manager of an Orchestral Film Scoring Live room working  with clients such as: Dream Works, Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, Disney and Johnny Hallyday as clients.

After living in total 25 years in LA working with such artist as Alice Cooper, Gary Wright, Michael Jackson, Ernestine Anderson,  to name a few, Chuck moved to Germany in 2006. Since then he is mostly touring as a solo performer but is also performing with other artists such as: Martin Engelien on four Go-Music “All Stars” tours and a few Go-Music specials, Bobby Kimball (Toto), Tommy Denander, Kirk Fletcher, the late Ricky Lawson, Curt Bisquera, Bruce Gaitsch, Mel Gaynor, Kai Strauss, Tommy Harris, Christian Bleiming, a concert Tour in India with Nadja Kossinskaja and more.

Chuck owns a very large 3D Sound library which he intends to publish in the future and is always searching for new and exciting projects to record and produce.

• www.PlaisanceMedia.net
• www.3DNatureSounds.com
• www.facebook.com/ChuckPlaisance
• Chuck@PlaisanceMedia.net

David Langley starting to teach himself at the age of 9, David soon found his love and passion for the guitar, then playing shows and Honky Tonks at 15 years of age, he fell in love with performing. With the passing of his Mother at 17 years old (something he could never let go of), took David off in a difficult direction, withdrawn and confused, turning more and more to his guitar and music. Eventually, he discovered his passion for singing, as well as entertaining and being the front man of his own shows. Learn more: Storytellers Hideaway Farm & Museum.

If you would measure him by his musical career, DENNIS HORMES ought to be an old bone of at least seventy years. But with only 34 springs on the clock, the guitarist from North Rhine-Westphalia, who is also active as a producer, songwriter and singer, looks already back on a career of almost two decades. In this time he has played on world tours with artists like T.M. Stevens, Fettes Brot, DJ Bobo, Tom Beck, Luxuslärm, Roachford, The Boss Hoss, Marc Terenzi, Daliah Lavi, Mark Medlock, Dieter Falk and Richard Sanderson – to only name a few. Learn more

Since many years, the drummer Dirk Brand is on the road for well-known personalities within the music world. He has played at some of the biggest international metal festivals with the metal act Axxis, while with SUBSIGNAL he moves in prog rock circles around the world. But also various big musicals like "Evita" or Hair" as well as travels for the Goethe Institute are outstanding aspects within his vita. He has also made quite a name for himself as a drumming lecturer in academies or at professional events. His activities as brand ambassador and drum book author complete the overall picture as a music all-rounder. We can be sure of one thing: there is still a lot to come!

The band from Ibbenbüren already gained first laurels in the mid 90s during joint concerts with bands like Propagandhi, No Fun At All, blink-182, No Use for a Name and Terrorgruppe. By the end of the decade they could already be seen on the big festival stages. Their mix of hardcore and pop with a touch of emo and a good helping of melody has continued to be successful. But what really makes the band what it is, what it symbolizes is, above all, their socio-critical and anti-fascist attitude.

On the occasion of the band's 25th anniversary, the combo released their second best-of album “Silverhochzeit” in summer 2019 - gaining a top 10 position in the German album charts. During an extensive final tour, the band announced they would stop playing live for an indefinite period of time. However, you will certainly still hear a lot more from the Donots in the future.

Florian is a keyboarder, pianist, arranger and composer. He played for many international artists on stage and in the studio and wrote music for film, dance and acting. He creates backing track systems and organizes live keyboard setups.

Florian Lipphardt has performed with Andrea Berg, Vanessa Mai, Mark Forster, Wincent Weiss, Madeline Juno, The Voice of Germany, Namika, DJ Bobo, Maite Kelly, Max Mutzke, Marla Glen, Pia Douwes and other artists on the national and international stage and on all German TV/Radio stations. Additionally, he is MD of the show band "Die Zweitbeste Band der Welt" of the show "Win Your Song" on Pro7. He has also recorded more than 20 CDs in the studio, including for Andrea Berg, Vanessa Mai and Maite Kelly. In the orchestra pit, he participated in numerous musical productions as well as shows at the Friedrichsbau Varieté Stuttgart. He regularly took part in numerous competitions and is now a multiple award-winning 'Bundespreisträger' (national prize winner) in the fields of jazz, pop and classical music. In 2016 he won the 'Bundeswettbewerb Schulpraktisches Klavierspiel' (German National Competition for Practical Piano Playing in Schools). In 2015 he received the 'Deutschland-Stipendium' (Germany Scholarship). As a composer, arranger and copyist he has worked for singers, bands, choirs, big bands as well as orchestras such as Anna-Maria Kaufmann, Oliver Haidt, Theater Augsburg, Bachchor Stuttgart, Orchester der Kulturen and the Metropolorchester. His compositions and arrangements have been played on ARD, RTL, VOX, SWR, Das Ding, Big FM, Antenne1. He composed the soundtrack for the films "PIPO" (Filmakademie LB) and "Stuffed Friend" (HdM Stuttgart). As a musical director, he worked, wrote and played for "Frühlings Erwachen" at the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, at the scenic song recital "Bis zum letzten Lied" at the Altes Theater Ulm and at productions of the Schauspielbühnen Stuttgart. In addition, he contributed music to the Strado Compagnia Danza for many dance performances at the Theater and Stadthaus Ulm.

Frank Pané can justifiably be called one of the most active guitar players of the German hard rock scene. Born in Kempten, Germany, in 1977, he already started learning how to play the piano at the age of 8. Ever since he discovered AC/DC he also discovered the appropriate instrument for himself: the electric guitar. He emulated his heroes and worked his way through different bands like “ to Grey (R2G)” or “Cover-X”. In 2002 he left R2G and joined the Power Metal band “Valley's Eve”. But because one project was not enough for him he founded the band “Burn” in the same year, covering Deep Purple and Rainbow songs. He also played in the rock cover band “Tribute” until the end of 2005 and then he returned to “Red to Grey”, while simultaneously recording the guitar tracks for the new CD of the horror metal band “Solemnity”, which was released in 2008. In 2009 he released his first all-instrumental CD. Besides that he has  always worked as a guitar teacher and tried to pass his knowledge on to a younger generation. He also founded the band "Sainted Sinners", one band member being the former "Accept" singer David Reece. Since 2015 he has been touring live mainly with the band “Bonfire”, but also with Deep Purple drummer “Ian Paice feat. Purpendicular”. He is also knocking out further instrumental CDs with apparent ease. In 2018, he founded the prog rock band “Dark Blue Inc.” with members such as Göran Edman (vocals/Ex-Malmsteen) and Hal Patino (bass / ex-King Diamond).

Gabriel Zanetti, singer/songwriter from Tübingen, born in 1995. Just 25 years old, he already possesses and can boast of a veritable musical substance. Not only his remarkable,  soulful and multi-faceted voice, embracing subtle vocal nuances as well as sudden eruptions and reminding of Sting, Jamie Cullum, Chris Martin will thrill listeners but also his versatility as a musician. At the tender age of four, Gabriel starts taking violin lessons, joins a children's choir, then a youth orchestra and succeeds in winning the first prize in the "Jugend musiziert" competition. As a teenager, though,  he is beset by doubts regarding the chosen instrument and classical music in general. He spontaneously switches to Klezmer and Irish music and expands his range of instruments, starts playing the guitar. Since 2015 he has been turning his talent into a profession, playing in living rooms as well as on big stages; he has shared the stage with Max Giesinger and Joanne Shaw Taylor, among others. Besides, Gabriel Zanetti is studying pop singing at the Institute of Music in Osnabrück, at the Cork School of Music in Ireland and completes the pop course at the Hamburg HfMT college to further his musical education and to collaborate with diverse musicians. In 2018 he releases his songs for the first time worldwide by launching the EP "Small Shadows", featuring the single The "Fly". In 2019 the second EP "Stars" follows, including the identically named single.

"Reflective and pensive dance music” with a magnetizing rhythm that you not only want to dance, but also listen to on repeat via your favorite stereo system in your living room. The new songs are "more modern, rhythmic and gleaming". Gabriel Zanetti: a talent, a qualified musician, someone with that certain something.

Since their formation in 2010, the electro-pop music project Hundreds around siblings Eva (vocals) and Philipp (keyboards) Milner plus Florian Wienczny (drums) advance to one of the most interesting indie acts in Germany/Austria/Switzerland. Like few in the German pop landscape, Hundreds understand how to weave the organic with the electronic, underlaying great melodies and emotions with a steady pulse of electronic beats and synths that quickly creep right under your skin. In other words, no happy-go-lucky pop - but multi-faceted moments, profound lyrics and special sonic trademarks.

Jan Stix Pfennig has been the first-call drummer of German rap star SIDO since 2008 and is solidly established in the German hip hop scene. Born in Arnsberg, he moved to Berlin to study jazz drumming at the Hanns-Eisler Music University and is meanwhile also an integral part of the instructing team at the Berlin Drum Institute Drumtrainer Berlin. Since Summer 2017 he performs as live Drum&Bass DJ-Drummer STIXONSPEED with his Electronic Drums and Electronic Setup. In addition to numerous recordings, performances and concerts with well-known artists such as SIDO, Andrew Roachford, Jimy Somerville, Nik Kershaw, Marteria, Mark Forster and many more, it s especially his band THE SWAG that has made him one of the most in demand drummers when it comes to modern styles and hip hop drumming. He also gives regular workshops and seminars on these topics. Learn more.

His favorite Cordial products (excerpts):

• CFU PP
• CPI RR
• CFY VPP
• CFM FM

A band of four young guys who invite their audience to a musical journey. They play everything they can lay their hands on: from Elvis to Mumford and Sons to Billie Eilish - sometimes played true to the original, sometimes in distinctly individual own or even jazzy versions.

Not only does the voice of frontman Joshua Linne impress young and old alike, but all four musicians, again and again, join in vocally and their four-part harmonies generate extremely good vibes. Guitar, drums and double bass, all in a stylish vintage look, often change hands readily, too.

Their looks, sounds and funny show interludes all serve one ultimate purpose: to provide tons of fun and a long-lasting good mood for their audience.

The US-American guitar virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist John Jorgenson is renowned for touring with iconic artists like Elton John, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt or Willie Nelson and also for winning the "Guitarist of the Year" Award of the Academy of Country Music for 3 consecutive years.

Feeling at home in lots of varying music styles, John Jorgenson is also frequently pursuing diverse projects of his own, such as the John Jorgenson Quintet, the John Jorgenson Electric Band, the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band and the Desert Rose Band. For him, Cordial cables have become an integral part of his equipment.

A few quotes from colleagues and the press

Elton John: “Brilliant guitarist!”
Peter Frampton: “John Jorgenson is one of my most favorite players...."
Los Angeles Times: "John Jorgenson is one of the most respected guitarists in the world…”

During a family celebration in Cologne, a special musical career began. Jolina Carl found an old guitar and discovered her love for music. Many years of self taught study on guitar and vocals followed, as well as various bands, different styles of music, vocal training and countless stage performances. Learn more (Homepage Jolina Carl)

MARATHONMANN are one of the few bands that don't just come up to expectations, but always exceed them. Even though their first EP "Die Stadt gehört den Besten" became a hit within the scene in 2012, less than one year after forming the band, and after numerous national and international support shows and appearances at major festivals, the Munich band have never just ensconced themselves in a cozy  comfort zone. On the contrary, as their previous three albums and two Eps show, they have always allowed themselves the opportunity, the freedom to advance into new musical territories without giving up the foundation of their typical sound. A tightrope act that MARATHONMANN have mastered again with the creation of their fourth studio album "Die Angst sitzt neben dir".

While other bands are often paralyzed from shock with the onset of success, i.e. having great difficulties developing artistically, the South German post-hardcore combo is well and truly striving for change. So the musicians again ventured into unknown waters in the process of creating their new record. This time they have also tried out novel piano and synth sounds that perfectly complement the typical MARATHONMANN sound and take it to a new level.
"We just wanted to find out what we could do and where this journey would take us," explains singer Michi. "I just wanted to be ballsy and check myself out". Guitarist Leo thought likewise, because he became involved in the band’s songwriting process  for the first time and straight away contributed several songs to the new album. "The sentiment that we have to prove something to someone has disappeared and that feels incredibly good", Michi sums up.

Topically, MARATHONMANN don't shy away from any challenge either, because, as the title of the album already suggests, everything revolves around the theme of fear. "We all have fears that have haunted us since the day we were born," the singer states. "In the beginning we’re all afraid of darkness, ghosts or loneliness. Later, more and often greater fears of failure or loss are added. We can suppress them, but somehow they always manage to get back to the surface and, ultimately, they will accompany us until we die." The new record by the guys from Munich addresses these feelings of fear and insecurity. And, thus, the musicians don't just break a taboo that affects all people - they also face their own demons with their new album "Die Angst sitzt neben dir".

There’s really no question as to why Mark Alan Cash entered into this thing called the “music business.” On the day that Mark was born, his father, Tommy, the youngest brother of Johnny Cash, was already getting some airplay on the radio, and was touring the country playing his own brand of country music. Learn more: Storytellers Hideaway Farm & Museum page.

Musical stations

My musical career started when I was 10 years old, which is when I got my first instrument: a flute. Soon enough I had an electric organ and an acoustic guitar. At 13 I discovered the bass and got one for my 14th birthday. Four years later an upright bass followed suit. Since then I have been playing both instruments, yet starting in 1982 the E - bass has been my main instrument of choice. Learn more (Martin Engelien Homepage)

The renowned music professional Michael Meier, percussionist, drummer and multi-instrumentalist, has been on the road for over 20 years now. He plays around 200 shows on national and international stages per year. He has constantly been active for international artists such as Sami Yusuf, Doro Pesch, Joey Heindle, Johannes Oerding, Julia Neigel, Stefan Gwildis, SNAP, Emma Marrone, Chima, Howard Carpendale, Loona, Extrabreit, Thomas Anders or Andreas Gabalier as a support act or accompanying and background musician. Worldwide solo shows and live acts are also part of his professional career. Among other things, Michael Meier also supports various show formats as a musical director. In addition, he has been staging the established session series "JAMMIN'lounge" since 2014, in which he brings various touring musicians from the entire German scene onto the stage on a monthly basis.

The motto of the trained music therapist is: "If I don't enjoy music anymore, I'll stop right away". However, it doesn't look like that's going to happen anytime soon.

Michi Schwiemann is the guitarist of the Dutch band Miss Montreal and session guitarist ("The Westbunch Live", "Fresh Music Live", "Session Possible" and many more) from Cologne. He is also active in TV ("Popstars") and the acting sector ("Cyrano de Bergerac", Schauspielhaus Cologne). He lived in Holland for many years and completed his electric guitar studies there with distinction (Popacademie in Enschede). With the band Miss Montreal, he has released several albums (recorded in Nashville, USA, among other places, and some of them went gold/platinum), completed various tours and played at all the major festivals in Holland (including Pinkpop). Within the Miss Montreal engagement, Michi Schwiemann's agenda includes regular TV and radio appearances as well as big festival shows with Coldplay (as support), James Morrison, Adam Lambert, Lenny Kravitz, Foo Fighters, Sting and many more.

Midriff are from the Austrian Alps and stand for solid, straightforward Hard- and Stoner-Rock. An association with Lederhosen and yodeling is therefore miles away. A decade has passed since the debut of the power trio. Until today, a lot has happened: several albums and over 400 European-wide shows with greats of the profession like Rival Sons, Pretty Maids, Chris Slade, Tito & Tarantula, Kyuss Lives, Godsized or Serenity. The three Austrians surrounding their singing drummer constantly use their very own stage production: In-ears, own mics and their own stage cabling. For the latter, Cordial is their brand of choice.

Mrs. Greenbird - honest, handmade and maybe a little bit weird.

The folk pop duo Mrs. Greenbird from Cologne (Germany) provided one of the very rare music business success stories. Starting off as wedding singers in 2006, singer Sarah Nuecken and guitarist Steffen Brueckner played their way through bars, restaurants and laundromats to chisel their skills and build a solid fanbase. Mrs. Greenbird’s music is multifaceted, blending their strong harmony vocals with their very own musical style - they summed up in one simple word: Singersongwritercountryfolkpop.

Their favorite Cordial products (excerpts):

• CXI PP-SKY
• CXI RP-SNOW-SILENT
• CSM FM-CRYSTAL

In 2012, Dutch siblings Joost and Cato van Dijck (drums and vocals) established the band "MY BABY" together with New Zealand guitarist Daniel 'Dafreez' Johnston in Amsterdam. Their approach was to create a cross-cultural and cross-stylistic sound. A danceable, almost hypnotic return to a primal awareness in the midst of the commotion and turmoil of a modern society.
Their psychedelic mixture is characterized by gospel- and blues-driven vocals, their sound blends folk melodies and raw 70s funk with elements of Moroccan Gnawa and Indian Raga music. All of their music is handmade, without the use of computers and samples.
This process has proved to be very successful and resulted so far in the band’s appearances at world famous festivals like Glastonbury (UK), Isle of Wight (UK), Sziget (HU), Fusion (GE), Exit (RS), Lowlands (NL), Pinkpop (NL), Joshua Tree Music Festival (US), Lightning In A Bottle (US) & SXSW (US). MY BABY are also consistently active in the studio and have already released 8 records since 2013.

Oli Schulte is a multi-instrumentalist and works in many musical areas. He dedicates himself to the sound design of e-drums in the studio, and composes his own music within the rock and electro range. Due to his experience in many projects and bands (Hartmann, Mindblow, Axel Ritt, Good Temper, Samy Saemann) with far more than 1000 gigs, he has learned to appreciate the value of good cables and has relied on Cordial cables for years.

Cordial means "heartfelt". The composition of honest music only succeeds with one''s heart and with full passion. This conviction can also be found in the quality of the cables made by "Cordial ". My first choice for both studio and stage!

With Cordial I associate good sound! On stage I use only first-rate quality equipment, which would simply not sound good without the appropriate cables. Thanks to Cordial my sound is perfect!
Oliver Steller, born in 1967, rediscovered his love for literature after school. Since then he has been setting poems to music. After studying music in the USA and a decade as a freelance musician, the guitarist and singer made his debut as a reciter in 1995. The German newspaper FAZ now calls Oliver Steller the "voice of German poetry".

"I especially like to use CORDIAL’s CSM FM-GOLD cable for the mics, the CSI PP-GOLD for the guitars and the CSI PP-METAL for the Dobro.”

Finding their place in our complex world is what occupies the guys of the Karlsruhe post-grunge band OX, founded in 2015. Exploring new avenues, ready to take risks and dealing with setbacks, is what they demand from themselves and from their listeners.

With hard riffs, melodic choruses and catchy songs the band has created its own identity between 90s grunge and modern alternative rock sounds. Their portfolio comprises tough hard rock songs, partly enriched with modern Synthi sounds, as well as rhythmic-groovy rock sounds and captivating mid-tempo rock songs. In addition, you can also find danceable tunes and even a slowly building, orchestrally arranged ballad.

The band’s lyrics deal mainly with socio-critical topics and interpersonal aspects and problems. Particularly noteworthy is the song “Fade Away” from the album “Breaking Point”. Starting with acoustic guitars combined with a slide guitar the song is then developing into a genuine rock anthem.

Sandersdorf is a (very) small village somewhere in the boonies of Bavaria, located in the Altmühltal, between Ingolstadt and Regensburg. And a breeding ground for sophisticated, even avant-garde pop. For the ones wanting to shake a leg and being intellectually challenged by the music, too. Sandersdorf is the birthplace of the band Pam Pam Ida.

Andreas Eckert, singer, founded the band in 2015 and the first song was released. 2 years later, the band really got going with first live concerts. By now, Pam Pam Ida has released 3 records and is touring way beyond Bavaria’s borders. No matter where Pam Pam Ida performs or where their albums ("Altmodisch", "Optimist", "Sauber") are listened to - the song lyrics on very intimate or socio-critical topics, sugared by sweet irony, are processed by the brain, communicated to the heart via your bloodstream and vice versa (even though untrained ears unfamiliar with the Bavarian lingo might have to listen very closely to get the meaning of their lyrics initially).

Pop music? Well, yes. But of an unusual kind and anything but "off the rack". Somehow "80s" and yet incredibly modern.

Pam Pam Ida are probably Bavaria's hottest pop hope at the moment – for some time now they haven't been regarded as an insider tip anymore. No wonder, because they truly amaze everybody with their diverse and multifaceted skills, including a wide range between irony and seriousness, art and comedy. Funny stories between the songs, and then a song that makes you feel like crying your eyes out. For roller coasters and adventurers alike.

Cordial cable in regular use (LIVE):

CFY WMM-SNOW (from laptop to mixing console or DI box)
CRI PR (from keyboard to console or DI box)

Cordial cables in use studio:

CRI PR
CXM FM-SNOW (studio microphone cable)
CXI PP-SKY and CSI PP-METAL (studio guitar)

Not only in Germany, but almost worldwide, musicians associate the name Peter Bursch with his almost legendary guitar teaching books. "Peter Bursch's Guitar School" has sold more than 1.5 million copies worldwide. However, his activities go far beyond the writing of these works. Born in the late 40s, he has been giving guitar concerts worldwide since 1965. In 1968 he founded BRÖSELMASCHINE, one of the oldest - and still very active - rock bands in Germany. At the end of the 60s, he also started teaching at various colleges and academies. For over 45 years he has been writing guitar and songbooks, many of them have been published on almost every continent. He is also permanently active as a journalist: many well-known German-language magazines in the music field have been relying on his collaboration for decades. At the NAMM Show in California, he has performed - often in workshops - with the crème de la crème of the guitarist scene: Steve Vai, Uli Roth, Billy Sheehan, Albert King, to name only a few. His repertoire also includes TV and (rock) theater formats. He organizes music event tours or seminars and also appears on the scene as a technical developer in guitar building. Peter Bursch is the "guitar teacher of the nation" - and furthermore, he has been an institution in (rock) culture for more than half a century.

On the musical side, from the tender age of three, Rachel grew up singing her family and herself to sleep. Later on, she took her passion for music anywhere she could, from biker saloons to church choirs, and recently, on a tour in Germany with Mark Alan Cash and David Langley. Rachel is a singer/songwriter with a unique vocal style all her own. Ranging from Blues, Folk, Rock, and Country, her vocal range covers it all, from Stevie Nicks to Patsy Cline! Learn more: Storytellers Hideaway Farm & Museum.

Ronja Maltzahn is a true cosmopolitan, her home is the whole world. She is a musical globetrotter. In 2019 alone she gave more than 200 concerts in more than 15 countries (from living room stages in small towns and villages in Germany to the big festival stage in Buenos Aires in front of three thousand people).
Over the course of her life - she is in her mid-20s now - she has already found inspiration for her music and the stories she tells on 4 continents. She sings in German, English, Italian, Spanish, Russian, French and Dutch - and accompanies herself on various instruments like the cello, the guitar and the piano.

At the end of 2020 her new album #WORLDPOP will be released. Recorded in Germany (in collaboration with very nearly 50 artists), mixed by Grammy Award winner Sebastian Perkal from Argentina and mastered in San Francisco.

The guitar player Sean Athens (born in 1993) characterizes the style of the trio Chris Kramer & Beatbox`n`Blues with his guitar sound on both the electric and the acoustic guitar and transferes his passion for the blues especially on the slide guitar.

Despite his youth, Sean Athens has an amazing musical experience. On stage he  lives and dies for every single note and literally merges with his guitar. 

Since 2012 Sophie Chassée has been performing on stages all around Germany. The young musician charms her audiences with her virtuosic and filigree modern fingerstyle guitar playing à la Andy McKee or Ben Howard and her unique, soft voice. This dazzling combination of guitar virtuosity and gifted singing & songwriting regularly causes blank astonishment in the audience and by now she treads the boards with world-famous guitarists like Jon Gomm, Michael Fix, Joscho Stephan or André Krengel. Her fourth studio album, produced by fingerstyle legend Peter Finger and released on Acoustic Music Records, will be launched in 2020.

Sophie is also a founding member of the Osnabrück-based RnB/NeoSoul band Karanoon, where her skills on the electric guitar are in great demand. In this constellation she also contributes as a songwriter and is involved in the musical arrangements of the band as well. Karanoon already played as supporting act for the world-famous Hammond organist Lutz Krajenski and have been calling attention to themselves in the alternative jazz scene due to their very distinctive sound. The band's debut album will follow in autumn 2020.

Besides her own bands and projects, Sophie is a permanent band member of the German newcomer musician Alli Neumann, for who she is playing the bass guitar for a change.  Alli Neumann is the new rising star of the German music industry and is increasingly attracting attention due to joint productions with, for example, hip hop singer Trettmann, Max Herre, director Kim Frank or Detlev Buck. Sophie has already accompanied Alli Neumann on tours with Billions and Annenmaykantereit, at support shows for Trettmann or Joy Denalane and has played at festivals across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, such as Lollapalooza, Rocken am Brocken or Zürich Open Air. She  has also already had amazing TV appearances at Neo Magazin Royale or Inas Nacht. In winter 2019, the first sold out headliner tour followed (Herz ist Trumpf) and in spring 2020 there will be  a second, during which Sophie will also play the bass guitar.

Bassist Sven Holscher musically navigates within a comprehensive spectrum between Classical, Jazz and Latin American music, complemented by constant experimentation with sound design. Born in Chile, he studied Classical Double Bass and Jazz Bass in Munich at the "Hochschule für Musik und Theater". During this time, he expanded his musical horizons through musical activities in symphony orchestras to contemporary jazz ensembles.

He further developed his artistic identity through private lessons with Andrés Rotmistrovsky and Willy González. One of his main specialties is the Tango - here he completed his skills with high-ranking artists such as Lila Horovitz and Juan Pablo Navarro.

Among his current activities are projects like the "Berlin Baires Trio" with Grammy award winner Quique Sinesi, the tango trio "Milonga Roots", the Latin jazz quintet Yacarandá and the South American duo "Angirû Project".

THE WHISKEY FOUNDATION, a quintett formed around the charismatic singer MURAT KAYDIRMA was found in Munich in 2011. 

The band that released ‚Take The Walk’, a widely acclaimed debut album presented in 2013, keeps fascinating - not at least caused by their powerful live performances.

Their classic setup of guitar(s), Fender Rhodes / Hammond, bass, drums and vocals/harmonica – and the passion of the five musicians (live and recoreded) form an outstanding sound.

This also counts for their second album ‚Mood Machine’, on which you can hear stilistic excourses into rock music of the late 60ies and early 70ies. Playing the typical sound of this era, they never loose their authentic modern style and keep developing the blues instead of covering it. MOOD MACHINE’s 11 songs can be classified as a mix of rock, blues and psychedelia, somewhere between THE DOORS (Morrison-Hotel-Phase) and THE BLACK KEYS. 

In Summer 2015 they excited huge audiences all around Germany as they were supporting the world famous rock legends of AC/DC. In Fall 2015 the band was also invited to open up a few shows for the not less famous band DEEP PURPLE in Czech Republic. 

Now, the band is ready to present their third album ‚Blues and Bliss’, which has been released in October 2017. Again, the 8 new songs are borne by MURAT KAYDIRMA’s unique voice and again, the 5 musicians, who know each other for the most of their lives, create an extremly harmonious ensemble. But yet, it is technically more sophisticated - the audience is more than ever reminded of the roots of blues and psychedelic rock, though the music still has its independent and unmistakable touch, which overcomes the boundaries of the past decades.

The favorite cables of The Whiskey Foundation (quote): "Road & Metal (especially Silent) because they are almost indestructible and look great!"

Umme Block are a duo, 2 female artists in their mid-20s, Leoni Klinger and Klara Rebers. Their handmade sound is created by means of virtual analog vintage synthesizers, drum machines, electric guitars and vocals.

What Umme Block do is quite enormous and complex, intelligent and effortlessly lighthearted at the same time. Musically, it stretches back decades but it is also modern to the point. It is also deeply human due to the amalgamation of the use of technology on a massive scale and  the right chemistry between the 2 musicians. At their concerts the audience feels the irrepressible joy of playing, the music’s authenticity combined with great musical craftsmanship. This spirit always infects audiences. Umme Block’s sound is as diverse as their audiences, their listeners can’t be pigeonholed, neither regarding age nor "style".

What works live with Umme Block is also expressed (though in a different way) in their first studio production. The CD "25 Hours" conveys many great aural impressions, from a melodic walk around block to going on a great musical fantasy journey.

We are pleased to accompany the new Cordial family members Umme Block on their future journey.

The question whether our life is determined by destiny or mere chance will remain unanswered here. But when one considers the biography of the musician, producer, composer and, currently, label-owner, briefly that of music freak Uwe Bossert, one is at least inclined to admit the possibility of divine providence. For instance, there was that Reamonn thing: When Bossert founded the Reamonn band with Sebi, Gomezz, Ray and Phil, he had just completed his studies of the Jazz guitar in Freiburg and prepared to face a precarious financial future among the undergrowth of the local jazzers. Bossert had no illusions about monetary rewards from music - regardless of talent. Nevertheless he wanted to study nothing else. Because he could do nothing else? Wrong! There was nothing else he wanted.Let us get the facts straight: Uwe Bossert might have been pretty happy employed as a badly paid guitar teacher and hanging out with a few semi-professional jazz bands. But then Reamonn happened. The band's story has been told countless times and is marginal topic here. But after the musicians had signed the recording contract in 1999, things started to happen in quick succession: Tours played to full houses, hundreds of thousands of records sold, the Echo prize for their social commitment, numerous hits and interesting projects with other musicians. There can be no doubt: Reamonn is and has been one of the most successful and without doubt also one of the most important German bands of the last fifteen years.

But Bossert became aware that there are other things that interest, occupy and inspire him. At the end of 2010, when Reamonn split up for a break after twelve years, the time had come for him and the others to consider their personal dreams unfulfilled so far. Bossert comments, "I have always been very happy in the band. But when you have been dependent on four other people for twelve years, it's quite satisfying to be your own boss for a while."
In this situation fate once more knocked at his door: With Reamonn he had met the renowned producer Greg Fidelman in the USA, who did studio work with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, U2 and Johnny Cash among others. While working with this experienced American studio professional Bossert realized, "That's it! My future lies in producing." Back in Germany the guitarist set up his own studio in Munich that he has continually expanded in the past few years. And suddenly everything started moving: Bossert produced and wrote songs for other musicians and himself, enlarged the production firm "achtung music" founded as early as 2007 with his own publishing company and recording firm - "achtung music Records".
The most ambitious project to date in Uwe Bossert's second career is his band "DrahtSeilAkt". And once more we must consider the role of destiny: That Uwe Bossert met the singer Nora Grisu with whom he composed the songs for DrahtSeilAkt's debut is a particularly fortunate stroke of fate. Because at first glance these are two musicians who apparently do not match - and therefore complement each other even better. On the one hand the popstar Uwe Bossert of long spotlight experience, on the other cabaret song writer of almost introverted character Grisu. Together they tell stories untold so far in German Pop music. "DrahtSeilAkt may possibly not be right for the large stage like Rock im Park with an audience of 30,000, but that is not always the case." says Bossert - been there, done that.

DrahtSeilAkt's debut is the first album that Bossert in cooperation with Nora Grisu has entirely developed in his project workshop achtung music: from initial idea to song-writing and producing and that will be published under his own label. But DrahtSeilAkt is not the only production of the new Uwe Bossert; the versatile musician recently cooperated on the soundtrack to Pepe Danquart's film "Joschka und Herr Fischer" - he is presently in the process of publishing it on achtung music Records. Apart from that he is producing and writing an album for the Rumanian pop star Loredana Groza, was guest lecturer at a School for Music Management last summer, cooperated with Nelly Furtado and "the Graf" of "Unheilig".
Yet it is not only the big names that are of interest for Uwe Bossert. The musician in him desires to move freely, the glamour and tinselly stardom always annoyed him in big business. "Sometimes I get the feeling that it's being a star that is important for so many people today," he says. "Nobody says he wants to be a great guitar player any more, it's just being famous that they want." He has already achieved fame, now Uwe Bossert aims to support young bands with flexible strategies that fit in with the enormous changes in music's landscape under the influence of Internet.

Developing songs and visions - that is Uwe Bossert's metier. And that is perhaps a genuine definition of his activity: balancing on a tightrope! There is a man who has left the safe harbour of the band awarded numerous platinum records and dared to enter not just one, but several experiments. But shouldn't music in its essence always be concerned with venture and exploratory spirit? The concept of the music man totally immersed in music and capable on all levels is less familiar here than elsewhere - Uwe Bossert is endeavouring to give him new significance. In his own, gentle, but highly sustainable and effective way.
In spite of his numerous projects Bossert is still fruitfully involved with his former colleagues. Evidence of what good friends the Reamonn musicians still are can be seen in their imminent tour under the name Stereolove with Gomezz, Rauenbusch and Padotzke. It will be a shorter club tour with the singer Thom Hanreich. The music will be stronger rock that that produced by the later Reamonn. And what is it all about? Certainly not to compete with the main band but: Fun. The word is correct. At the end of the day the composer, producer and labelman Uwe Bossert is above all intent on having a good time. And it is to be hoped that this is heard and comes across to the audience.

Talking about the Belarusian guitarist, Victor Smolski, you soon discover that it's impossible to restrict yourself to just one superlative if you want to do justice to the unusual talent and the artistic diversity of this unique musician. He has made his mark not only as a guitarist and songwriter with the German metal act, Rage. His song "Straight To Hell", for example, has served as the soundtrack for two German movie productions and earned heaps of praise in the process. Smolski also continues to impress fans, colleagues and critics alike as a solo musician. Learn more (Victor Smolski Homepage).

The band name alone promises epic vastness and an exciting new world of sound, into which the five-piece band from Munich wants to take its audience: Wait Of The World combines and merges influences from catchy Indie Pop, captivating Alternative Rock and well-chosen electronic elements resulting in a modern and highly contagious sound mix.

Inspired by bands such as Thrice, Nothing But Thieves or Bring Me The Horizon, Wait Of The World combine a catchy pop appeal with an outgoing, extrovert stadium rock attitude, subtle electronic parts and distinctive vocals thus creating an equally multi-faceted, yet also autonomous entity. Wait Of The World inspires any crowd with this exceptional and modern sound.

In 2018 the band attracted a lot of attention due to their participation in the popular TV format "X Factor" and when they made it to the finals, an audience of millions voted the band into 2nd place. The subsequently released single "Glacier" is one of WOTW's absolute live anthems to this day and entered the iTunes charts at number 75 in 2018. Moreover, their single "Rebirth" reached number 3 in the Alternative iTunes hit parade.

Walter Trout is an American blues rock singer, composer and guitar player. Since 1968 he has rocked numerous stages worldwide and played for legendary blues musicians like John Lee Hooker, the band Canned Heat or John Mayall. With his friends Johnny Griparic (bass), Teddy 'Zig Zag' Andreadis (piano) and Michael Leasure (drums) he has been performing as the Walter Trout Band since 1989.
Walter received a new liver in 2014 because a life-threatening liver disease could not be treated successfully with medication. As his insurance did not cover this transplant, thousands of people donated to his operation. The disease caused him to lose some of his memory, even forgetting about his family and friends, and, consequently, he also had to learn to play the guitar anew. But he struggled through and his love for the blues spurred him on. He felt the blues and got to know his instrument again.
His album "The Blues Came Callin'", released shortly afterwards, was number 2 in the USA for 14 weeks and in Germany his albums are regularly in the Top 50. On his "Survivor Blues" album he covers almost forgotten songs, all deeply significant and meaningful to him. He and his band want to reinterpret the power and soul of the originals in a way that fits their individual and characteristic style.

Göttingen 1997: four best friends who were into punk rock and who wanted to establish their own band. The birth of ZSK - the instruments were drawn by lot, knowing 3 chords had to be enough for starters. Back then it was called "Punk rock with heart and brain". And: it worked. First gigs in Juzes and houses occupied by squatters, the move to Berlin. In the meantime ZSK, with a break between 2007 and 2011, are a renowned authority, playing big festivals and on prestigious stages. Ever-present: their commitment against right-wing violence and racism.

In 2006, ZSK launched the campaign "Kein Bock Auf Nazis" (Can’t stand Nazis), with which ZSK has supported anti-fascist protests throughout Germany with information stands since. Their current album "Hallo Hoffnung" expresses ZSK's state of mind: Angry, furious, loud and yet thoughtful. With Guido, member of the Donots and Chris No. 2, bass player of the US-American punk rock legends Anti-Flag.  

Ace - Guitar
Eike - Bass
Joshi - Vocals & Guitar
Matthias - Drums

Photo Credit: Matthias Zickrow