Kategorie » Musik

SON OF THE VELVET RAT ist das Projekt des österreichischen Songwriters Georg Altziebler. Seine mittlerweile 5 Alben erhielten hierzulande außergewöhnliche Kritiken, SotVr’s internationalen Ruf belegen Zusammenarbeiten mit Ken Coomer (Ex-Wilco), Kristof Hahn (Swans), Richard Pappik (Element of Crime) oder Alt-Country-Queen Lucinda Williams. Peter Jesperson (Ex-Manager The Replacements) zu SotVR: „Beautiful and somber music, their lyrics are pure poetry.“ Seit einigen Jahren lebt und arbeitet Altziebler den überwiegenden Teil des Jahres in der kalifornischen Wüste bei Joshua Tree. Live ist SotVR in verschiedenen Besetzungen zu sehen und zu hören: Solo, im Duo mit Heike Binder am Keyboard, im Trio mit Felix Krüger (percussion) und als full band (Muck Willmann am Schlagzeug, Albrecht Klinger am Bass und Kolja Radenkovic an Trompete, Flügelhorn und/oder Gitarre). Nicht nur die verschiedenen Besetzungen garantieren spannende Live-Performances, tatsächlich verändern die Songs ständig Sound und Atmosphäre. Vor allem im Quintett changiert die Band zwischen fragilem Neo-Folk-Chanson und rauem Garage-Rock.

„The Late Show“
Son Of The Velvet Rat celebrate the glorious elusiveness and the sweet heartbreak of song by releasing a new live record, The Late Show, via Fluff and Gravy Records / Mint 400. In 2015, Austrian natives Georg Altziebler and Heike Binder set down roots in the Desert community of Joshua Tree, California. In the last 50 years the desolate town has quietly become an enclave for artists and musicians much like Paris in the ‘20s or Laurel Canyon in the ‘60s. Their 2017-release, Dorado, produced by Joe Henry (Aimee Mann, Solomon Burke, Ani DiFranco), featured a mix of Hi-Desert musicians and L.A. stalwarts, as well as guest vocals from the iconic Victoria Williams. The record received rave reviews and topped myriad year-end-critics’ polls. “The Late Show” is a souvenir from their extensive 2017 tour, in support of Dorado. The tracks were recorded at three venues, Rhiz in Vienna, Austria, Scheune in Wredenhagen, Germany and in Burbank,CA. The 11-song album features songs from “Dorado” but also reaches back to previous, including Animals, Firedancer and Red Chamber Music. “Another Glass Of Champagne” revisits an older riff and adds new lyrics. The ambiance is passionate, sweat-soaked and electric. Georg and Heike’s cinematic sound is augmented by Dominik Krejan on Fender Rhodes and backing vocals. Drum duties are split between Muck Willmann and Felix Krüger. Highlights include a haunting version of “Sweet Angela”, the brooding “Copper Hill”, the pulsing Psychedelia of “Surfer Joe” and the world-weary ache of “Franklin Avenue.” The band weaves a sonic tapestry of disparate influences that is best described as Folk Noir, while being unique in every aspect. No wonder everyone from Americana U.K. to Lucinda Williams to Magnet Magazine are singing their praises. “The Late Show” offers a perfect introduction to their sui generis sound.