Binder & Krieglstein – Those who think that this name implies a musical duo should think again and attentively read the following lines. True, the name Binder & Krieglstein is deceptive and suggests associations with pop partnerships similar to Austrian duos such as Christoph & Lollo, Sterman & Grissemann or Camo & Crooked. However Binder & Krieglstein is all about the one and only Rainer Binder-Krieglstein.
Currently based in Graz, the musician began his career in Vienna, where he first hit the drums in the band Toxic Lounge. His introduction into the down-tempo pop metier was followed by a transition towards industrial rock with the formation Fetish 69. Before the start of his solo career in 2002, the Styrian musician was also an ensemble member of several jazz bands. Instead of putting the shadows of his musical past to rest, Binder & Krieglstein has always rather merged various genres into a fine-sounding whole, which has often led music critics of this country to despair when it comes to classifying the sound of Binder & Krieglstein.
The Styrian musician is known for ransacking various musical drawers, sometimes playing with jazz and soul, then again with pop and electronics, another time with folk and traditional Austrian music. While the debut album “International” from 2002 leads through the dub sounds from North to South Africa, native Austrian sounds are struck in 2010. After weeks of field work in the traditional Sytrian Volksliedwerk and similar folk music institutions, Binder & Krieglstein pays homage to his wonderful home country with his fourth album “New Weird Austria” and works with experienced veterans on this project who could not be more different – from Didi Bruckmayr (Fuckhead), Wilfried (4Xang) to Christian Fuchs (Bunny Lake).
In general, Rainer Binder-Krieglstein is the man of great collaborations. With Gustav he recorded the Polman Reisen cover “Piraten” and created a whole album with Balkan – Mastermind Shantel. “Alles Verloren” is not only the title of this record, but also the name of the song with which the Styrian finished in second place in the 2004 protest song contest. “Alles Verloren” was also used as a sonic backdrop for the successful U.S. TV series Dexter.
Fame and success was never a reason for Binder & Krieglstein to rest on his laurels, which is why he is constantly working on new projects. As a very dedicated artist, the next step is never far away. This fall, the fifth album will be presented and has been fully dedicated to the motto “youth”. In the light of current topics such as midlife crisis, retro-cult and the eternal juvenile stadium of large and small pop-protagonists, the question is raised: is pop music committed to eternal youthfulness? The Styrian musician tries to musically get to the bottom of all of these issues, of course, not without forgetting his own musical development in the past and teenage years. The record includes soul, blues, jazz, and funk just as well as rock, disco and electro.
So far there is no answer to the question of eternal youth, but until then you can at least find comfort in the new album available in fall and philosophize about not wanting to age while listening to the brilliant new songs of Binder & Krieglstein.
Bibiane Weinberger
translated from German
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