Next January, the Austrian formation Elektro Guzzi will be bestowed with a very special honor. For its musical achievements, the Viennese “techno-dance band” will receive the “European Border Breakers Award” (EBBA), which is awarded every year by the European Commission since 2004. The prize is annually awarded to artists, whose potential is certified to be able to succeed outside their home country. The award ceremony will be held on the 11th of January, as part of the Eurosonic Festival in Groningen, the Netherlands.
The “European Border Breakers Award” (EBBA) is not just any other award. The award by the European Commission for Education, Culture and Youth and Multilingualism, in collaboration with various companies and organizations of the European music industry, can almost be compared to gaining musical knighthood. From a large number of musical debuts, the music market analysts Nielsen Music Control – based on sales figures, radio airplays and votes of representatives of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), radio stations and the European Talent Exchange Program (ETEP) – select those musicians and bands, who have the most potential to become musical sensations beyond national borders. So far, Austrian artists who received this prestigious award include Soap & Skin and Saint Lu.
Elektro Guzzi now also belong to this illustrious group of winners. With their self-titled debut album, the band was not only responsible for a musical sensation in this country, but was also internationally perceived as a very special act. How many other bands produce and play techno with solely guitar, bass and drums? There are probably not that many. Numerous invitations to internationally renowned festivals, such as Sonar in Barcelona, show the excellent reputation Bernhard Hammer (guitar), Jakob Schneidewind (bass) and Bernhard Breuer (drums) have achieved for themselves.
With the debut album released by the German label macro Records and produced by Patrick Pulsinger, Elektro Guzzi impressively proves that visionary creative work is still possible in the field of techno. This band definitely has the necessary qualities to succeed in being the next big thing, and is rightfully acknowledged with the honor of the “European Border Breakers Awards”.
“Music is a universal language that touches billions of people, regardless of age or background. Our winners have all succeeded in reaching out to audiences beyond their home country through their talent and energy. I hope the awards will inspire other artists to take their music beyond their national borders and break into new markets,” says Androulla Vassiliou, EU Commissioner for Education, Culture and Youth and Multilingualism.
The Winners:
Electro Guzzi (Austria)
Selah Sue (Belgium)
Agnes Obel (Denmark)
Ben l’Oncle Soul (France)
Boy (Germany)
James Vincent McMorrow (Ireland)
Afrojack (Netherlands)
Alexandra Stan (Romania)
Swedish House Mafia (Sweden)
Anna Calvi (UK)