Birgit Denk & Band – "Silver Wedding – 25 Years Completely Out"

Children, how time flies. In the year 2000, when the world did not end due to a "bug" as feared, Birgit Denk and her band played their first concert at the legendary "Shelter" in Vienna. With a rock sound sung in the East Austrian dialect by a woman, the formation presented lyrics that addressed themes that had not been explored before. Vienna and its surroundings were played, experiences were gathered, and the interest of the audience, organizers, and record companies was piqued.

This was followed by a contract with Universal Austria, Amadeus nominations, several albums, and many performances in Austria and Bavaria. Their participation as performers and music producers in Roland Düringer's garden series "Der wilde Gärtner" was another milestone in the life of the "Denks." The development of the ORF III talk show "Denk mit Kultur," which has aired for 7 seasons on TV and is still available live, was a successful extension of Birgit's role as a host and the boys as musicians.

The band continued to evolve, producing music, a live DVD, videos, collaborating with other musicians, and over the years became a fixture in the Austrian music scene. On a personal level, families were started, residences were relocated, and life plans changed. However, the band remained together, apart from one voluntary departure and one career-related exchange. Alex Horstmann served as the musical director, composer, and quasi "interior minister" of the collective; Ludwig Ebner-Reiter was a brilliant guitarist and composer well-versed in all genres; Mag. Harald Wiesinger was the master of keyboards and tour manager; and Philipp "Disco" Mayer was the rhythm provider, not just in a musical sense. The namesake Birgit Denk is the one who represents the band outwardly, primarily responsible for the lyrics, and as a social educator, she contributes to the cohesion of the group.

The apparent "big breakthrough," the radio superhit, the full stadium has not been achieved in the 25 years of existence. Birgit Denk and her boys have somehow always been too early, too late, too old, too loud, or sometimes too quiet. Always somehow "completely out." But they are still here. Eager to perform, authentic, committed, approachable, funny, serious, and uniquely "zaum ghatzt" as only bands that have played together for 25 years can be. They still encounter a large audience that appreciates music, values lyrics, enjoys being addressed, loves being part of it, often feels a bit "out," and is proud of it.

The fact that Birgit Denk and her colleagues have been together for 25 years deserves to be celebrated. This "silver wedding" prompts the band to present all their albums once again, in part, to both their old and new audience. Birgit entertainingly shares stories and encounters that have taken place "behind the scenes" between songs. A look behind the curtain, then. Live and always different. Celebration mood guaranteed.