Versatile. This attribute fits well with the 22-year-old from Lower Austria – real name Sebastian Holzer – and coincides with the choice of title for his first album. “I chose Kummowa because he is so versatile,” says the songwriter in an interview with OÖN.
“Yes, it’s about a little more slowness in the fully digitalized and therefore fast world, but of course also about the feeling of being at peace with yourself.” His message is clear: those who go through life in a more relaxed way see more of the things that are important. And in the end all people are equal, no one should feel better than others. “We are all on the same wavelength.”
The nature-loving person who is curious about the world and attributes this to his upbringing in the country skilfully adopts the cheerful reggae mode. The lightness of this music suits him, he says with conviction, even though Holza doesn’t want to be limited to that. He also sprinkles in ballads and makes a few stylistic excursions into other subjects. Reggae still remains dominant. And because dialect is not exactly widespread in Austria, Holza sees this as his playground in which he likes to develop. “It’s hard to pigeonhole music when there are no comparisons yet.” Agreed.
Music has been a very strong means of expression for him since his early youth. “I was always funny, loved humor and insults, but I was never able to really address serious topics, but I could convince people with music.”
Observe and reflect
He encounters the ideas for the songs. He describes it as a mixture of observing and reflecting on what he has seen and experienced. No wonder he finds sociology exciting. He would definitely have considered studying, but music got in the way.
And so he sings about the Grant, the feeling of being burnt out in the morning, or the magic of courting love. Absolutely with depth, but always with a wink and humor. Holza doesn’t need a vacation on the beach because he has a bathtub at home anyway. That’s how you see it – and it sounds good.
Current album: Holza “Kummowa” (Ariola)
Concert tip: January 27th, 7:30 p.m., Kultur Hof Linz
Author
Reinhold Gruber
Local editor Linz
Reinhold Gruber
