“The blues is not just a genre of music, it is a form of communication that transcends language. It has always brought people together and continues to do so. Musicians who may have never crossed paths otherwise, as well as audiences coming together for a shared experience, can connect, meet, and sometimes even form lasting relationships as a result.”…

“The Blues is rooted in everyday experience. It’s a way to communicate our immediate feelings, all our highs and lows. I believe the world without a vivid Blues scene would be much poorer and colder. The Blues also helps you to develop a certain serenity. I think that is much needed with all the craziness going on around us right now.”…

"I think the most important thing in life is to be happy. That does not only apply for the life as a musician. I would think this applies to life in general. I think that all “black” music is about to “have a good time”. It doesn’t matter if it is afrobeat, soul, samba, salsa, reggae, funk or blues. Most of them celebrate joy and happiness. I think this is quite different to European music or classical music."…

"Be true to yourself. Don’t try to please the masses too much, especially in such a very personal music style like the Blues. If you get lucky and are suddenly making big money, make sure to save some for a rainy day. Success usually won’t last forever, neither will your health."

Christian Dozzler: Blues & Boogie (Images)

More than 45…

"If you don't know who you are, you might end up not knowing what you really want. In order to get through to people, you have to internalize that kind of music. And also the lyrics to it. Otherwise, it will fall flat."

"Sir" Oliver Mally: 21st Century Blues

Thirty-nine years the "SIR" Oliver Mally has been "on the road" and has given thousands of…

"It’s timeless music with a lot of facets. It’s pure, emotional and transports a lot of energy. It can hit you in many ways. No matter if you experience a concert while sitting, or if you dance and move to the groove. Blues connects people. It’s the only music I know where musicians even don’t need to speak the same language. If they understand the language of the blues, it’s enough to have a great time!"…

"Any real and authentic folk-art is in fact timeless, while popular styles are conditionally in a state of permanent changing due to the spirit of times. popular music, by example became a global phenomenon and is by now the strongest influence on the development of public taste. there will be always some interest in so called exotic folk styles, but those art-forms are possibly too individual and even idiosyncratic to become a…

"Music should not be available for free! Spotify for example should pay at least 1 cent per stream. If that doesn’t change, most of us will not be able to produce further records. The record business is down so there has to be a solution for this. Streaming is fine but there has to be a proper payment for the artists - They are the main reason that people can listen to cool music-not the companies!!"…

"Because the Beats addressed many issues already in the 50s that we still have to deal with and are still red hot. Simple as that. And since mainstream writing is still as conservative as ever and still lacks courage, it’s still inspiring and refreshing to read Beat poetry and all their successors throughout the decades."

Dr. Thomas Antonic: The Beats Go On..…

"I think music plays a big part in our everyday life and it helps people to be more cheerful and brave."

Marius Dobra: On A Mission From God

The bandleader and songwriter Marius Dobra has been on the road with his guitar for more than 40 years. Music and lyrics are, with a few exceptions, all written by local lower Austrian artists . You can…

"Blues and rock music bring people together, regardless of their ethical background and origin. That is the great thing about this music. From a socio-cultural point of view it is very important and a way that really works in reality. It's a logical conclusion that comes out of it, because only the music is in the foreground. Also politically we can get to know each other through this music."

Hermann…

"Music reflects very much the culture of a place, like the language, the way people speak."

Anton Mühlhofer: Cubanton

Austrian musician/bandleader Anton (Toni) Mühlhofer, studied Classical Percussion at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Drums (Jazz) at the Conservatory of Vienna and further studies at the Berklee College of…

"The blues is in fact a state of mind. Otherwise you just play music."

Al Cook: Nothing But The Blues Roots

Al Cook (born Alois Koch) grew up in Vienna, Austria. The visit of the Elvis movie Gold from a hot throat at the age of fifteen awoke in him the desire to make music. He started teaching himself guitar, piano and singing. After first…

"I think blues will always be there because it’s about LIFE! Blues talks about all aspects of life.Blues is about love, hate, anger, sex, frustration, joy, fun, hard times, good times! The whole spectrum!"

Raphael Wressnig: The Soul of Groove

Throughout the years Raphael Wressnig has created a unique organ style that is both elegant and explosive.…

"Blues is a feeling, it is all about the expression of human emotions..."

Ripoff Raskolnikov: Lost & Found

Both an accomplished blues guitar player and a prolific singer/songwriter, Austrian born Ripoff Raskolnikov must be considered one of the most idiosyncratic figures on the European blues scene. Like thousands of his colleagues, he admires and…

"Today, with most of the real blues guys getting older and eventually passing away, I’m not sure if the blues that we’ve all come to love can survive in that quality. The world and the society where blues developed as a way to cope with segregation and other injustices and difficulties is – luckily – not existing anymore, so the authenticity is simply not possible anymore. And without authenticity, the blues might lose what it’s all…

"My hopes are that people finally detect that music is something which is worth to be honored and expressed in money and that music industry realizes that it cannot stick to a few old stars and completely let the rest die out."

Susanne Plahl: The Lightning…

"In most of the new blues productions I miss the soul, the story and the fun."

Norbert Schneider: House Built Around The Blues

Norbert Schneider was born in Vienna and grew up in Prottes in…

"I know a blues when I hear one, and I get very comfortable whenever there’s good music: So whatever the label may be, it’ll always be the music that matters."

Otmar Binder: Boogie Woogie Turnaround

Vienna-based…

"The Blues is real, it’s life. Everybody who is sensitive enough feels the powerful, basic, savage force behind it."

Christian Dozzler: Two Meters of Blues

Christian Dozzler from Vienna,…