DE Stereo Naked sind der neuseeländische Kontrabassist Pierce Black und die Banjospielerin Julia Zech, wenn sie mit dieser ungewöhnlichen Kombi ihr Publikum verzaubern. Gefunden haben sie sich über die Kölner Bluegrass Szene und haben auf dieser Basis ihren ganz eigenen folkigen "nackten" Sound entwickelt.
Nach vielen gemeinsamen Kilometern, Abenteuertouren durch Europa von Irland bis nach Litauen, ist 2022 ihr zweites Album "Unseen Course" erschienen. Auf britischem Boden findet es besonders viel Anklang, es wird mehrfach in der BBC im Radio gespielt und auch der Deutschlandfunk sagt: "Mit einfachem wie schönem Harmoniegesang über ruhigem Fingerpicking zaubern Stereo Naked ein paar Sonnenstrahlen auf die Seele."
Bei ihren Live Konzerten prallen Charme auf trockenen Humor und jeder Song ist eine kleine handgeformte Geschichte. Was Stereo Naked schaffen, ist ihre gemeinsame Leidenschaft, nämlich den Bluegrass aus seiner Nische zu holen und ihn mit ihrem Songwriting verspielt und berührend für ein breites Publikum zu verwerten. Was die beiden da machen, hat kein Kalkül, keinen Filter. Eben genau wie die beiden sind und klingen.
ENG Stereo Naked are the New Zealand double bass player Pierce Black and the banjo player Julia Zech, when they enchant their audience with this unusual combination. They found each other through the Cologne bluegrass scene and have developed their very own folky "naked" sound on this basis.
After many miles together, adventure tours through Europe from Ireland to Lithuania, their second album "Unseen Course" was released in 2022. On British soil it is particularly well received, it’ been played several times on the BBC radio. Also the German national radio Deutschlandfunk says: "With simple as well as beautiful harmony vocals over quiet fingerpicking Stereo Naked conjure a few rays of sunshine on the soul."
At their live concerts, charm collides with dry humor and every song is a little hand-formed story. What Stereo Naked manage to do is share a passion for taking bluegrass out of its niche and making it playful and touching for a wide audience with their songwriting. What these two are doing has no calculation, no filter. Just the way they are and sound.
"This bands time is now, Stereo Naked"
(Ian Anderson, BBC Scotland)
"Then you listen again and you find another moment of beauty. ‘There are some treasures to be found’ is an understatement.”
Marc Higgins (Times Past and Times Passing)
"Is it the harmonies on that that make you think of Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra? I don't know but I enjoyed that, hope you did"
(Cerys Matthews, BBC 6)
Stereo Naked ein paar Sonnenstrahlen auf die Seele"
(Tim Baumann)
"quite hard to put it in any box, but I love that track!"
(Marc Radcliff, BBC Radio 2)
While Stereo Naked may not be your typical bluegrass band, their unique sound has earned them spots at some of Europe’s top bluegrass festivals — including Bühl (GER, 2019), Rotterdam (NL, 2019), and La Roche (FR, 2018, 2022, 2023).
Highlights
Whether performing as a duo, trio, or full five-piece, Stereo Naked has played on a variety of stages and festivals this year, from the Festival der Klesmer in Salzgitter (World Music) to the Orange Blossom Festival (Indie Pop).
They also had the honor of launching their latest album, Upside Down, at the prestigious Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow!