It was in 2012 when five Austrians got together and shortly afterwards made the Viennese dialect socially acceptable again. Now the indie pop and rock band is celebrating Wanda their tenth anniversary. On Sunday, August 14, she brings new songs to Munich when she performs live at the “The Roofs” festival in the Olympiapark from 9 p.m. – with free admission.
SZ: How do you feel about coming to Munich?
Marco Michael Wanda: We do have an emotional relationship with Munich. Because it was one of the first cities outside of Austria where we were noticed and recognized.
They have the new song “Rocking in Vienna” with them. It is about departure and longing. Does that reflect your current stage in life?
We are in a phase in which we have dealt a lot with ourselves as a group. Due to the abrupt stop caused by the pandemic, we were forced to do some work-up. Because everything happened so fast and we never really got to reflect. Then terms like mindfulness emerged. We wish that for ourselves and for society. mindfulness
That’s also what your new album, which will be released at the end of September, is about.
The album is above all a thank you to our audience. The fans have remained loyal to us. They didn’t return their concert tickets. The album is also a celebration because it marks the band’s tenth anniversary. And we also became more reflective and mature during the process.
But if you listen to the new song “Va Bene”, “everything doesn’t matter a bit, it doesn’t matter.” Is that black painting or Austrian resignation?
I actually wrote the song because my mother presented the lyrics to me in a conversation. I asked her what it’s like to get older. She said in a dry, neutral tone: “Well, you become more vulnerable.” And then she suddenly started talking about something completely different. I’ve been stuck with that phrase for years. Now it’s a song.
The album is simply called “Wanda”. Did you just want to celebrate yourself?
Yes, yes. When you’re so preoccupied with yourself, it’s kind of obvious that you’ll end up naming it after yourself.
Since 2021 you have a new old drummer. Valentin Wegscheider left in 2014 and is now back. How does that affect you?
So the Vali is an ancient friend. He simply brings in a personality that is very balanced and reflective. A certain diplomacy, almost manners.
In an Instagram post you write that there is no place for homophobia, sexism and racism at your concerts. What was going on?
We’ve only just noticed this for the first time. A young woman wrote on our Instagram page that she was molested by several men at our concert in Innsbruck. And then I asked further and heard similar experiences from several people. You want nothing but to create a setting for people to have fun for an evening. But when something like this happens, you have to act. We make it clear that we will not tolerate this and train securities. The lady was not taken seriously in Innsbruck. This needs to stop and we need to talk more about it.
What do you wish for further concerts? Besides tolerance and amore?
I’m happy about everyone who comes. We always give our all. It was two years of pandemic. People are hungry and so are we. Every concert feels like a reunion. Like a class reunion.
Wanda, live in Munich, Sun., Aug. 14, 9 p.m., The Roofs Festival, Olympic Park, Central Roof, free entry; Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 8 p.m., Zenith