LaBrassBanda is set to return to their roots with the release of their new album, ‚Polka Party‘, which is scheduled to drop this Friday, March 21. Frontman Stefan Dettl shared with the German Press Agency that their early performances were often at Balkan parties, marking the beginning of their journey into the dance music scene.
The band is known internationally as Bavarian „Balkan Party Punks,“ with recent performances in countries such as Kazakhstan and Estonia. Dettl remarked, „When cultural exchange happens, it has something magical about it.“
The album features eleven tracks that blend the band’s signature mix of Bavarian brass music, pop, and ska, with an added touch of Balkan influences. Lyrically, the band oscillates between their almost legendary party sound and social critique.
Singles and Themes
The previously released single, „Goaßnmaß“, celebrates friendship, good company, and beer, while another track, „Teufelstanz“, warns against the rightward shift in society and the dangers of losing communication. All lyrics are in Bavarian dialect.
Since their formation in 2007, the members of LaBrassBanda, all trained musicians, have been redefining the perception of brass music in Bavaria. They gained nationwide recognition in Germany during the preliminary selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013.
Performances and Emotions
Dettl expressed his fondness for performing in small Bavarian beer tents, calling them „the most beautiful performances“ because they offer a unique insight into Bavarian culture. He highlighted the diverse age range of their audience, from grandparents to grandchildren. Post-COVID, he has noticed a shift in audience emotions, describing them as „more radical, more emotional“ in various ways. Audiences now seem both more exuberant and melancholic.
While LaBrassBanda is a central musical project for Dettl, he noted that other band members occasionally explore different musical avenues. However, he emphasized that everyone knows where they belong, stating, „LaBrassBanda is our home port.“