TINA

About

" A Female Perspective for Austrian Folk Music "

TINA, hailing from Styria, has brought a breath of fresh air to the modern Schlager scene (a type of folk-pop music especially prevalent in German speaking countries) with her EP ‘Bitter’, released in the fall of 2023. In an era where bands like Kaltenkirchen and Gloriettenstürmer have already given the genre a new image, TINA sets new accents with humor and femininity.

The EP convincingly proves that Schlager music doesn’t have to be limited to stereotypical, youth-friendly topics like vacations and friendships. TINA opens the door to a broader spectrum, including explicit innuendos, female desire, and, above all, a lot of fun. The track ‘Lavaboy’ from her debut work captivates with catchy beats and clever wordplay. The accompanying music video features lascivious ice licking and cleverly placed sexual references, which are anything but cheap – in fact they’re  rather artfully staged.

TINA’s smoky and sultry attitude in ‘Tabak’ is particularly impressive and reminiscent of Vienna greats like Georg Danzer. In contrast to the professional appearance of the ‘Lavaboy’ video, the DIY vibe stands out here with an appealing vintage look. Furthermore, TINA reveals her versatility in ‘Tabak’ as this song takes on a more rock-blues vibe.

The standout piece on the EP is undoubtedly the titular ‘Bitter’. As the artist openly explains on her Instagram profile, this song addresses her personal journey with post-traumatic stress disorder and associated depression. In the courageous video, TINA talks about a particularly challenging episode and how it inspired the song.

In the interplay between Austropop and Schlager, Blues and Rock, the emerging musician TINA finally introduces a female perspective to young folk music. Impressively, she succeeds in simultaneously revolutionizing and revitalizing an entire genre. This diverse fusion of various musical genres characterizes her unique style, which not only transcends boundaries, but also opens up new creative horizons.