Die Edlseer

Die Edlseer are a popular volksmusik quartet of young men from the southeast Austrian state of Styria who achieved exceptional success in their homeland by infusing traditional folk music with a contemporary mindset and youthful zest. Comprised of Fritz Kristoferitsch (bass, vocals, trombone), Manfred Maier (guitar, clarinette, saxophone), Andreas Doppelhofer (keyboards, Styrian harmonica), and Luigi Neuwirth (guitar, trombone, vocals), the group was founded in 1990 and began as a trio (i.e., Edlseer Trio). Die Edlseer regularly compete for the Grand Prix der Volksmusik: in 2000 their song "Weil i a Schürzenjäger Bin" won first place in the Austrian category and sixth place overall, in 2001 their song "Edlziller Party-Knüller" won first place in the Austrian category and fourth place overall, in 2004 their song "I Bleib bei Volksmusik" won first place in the Austrian category and sixth place overall, and in 2006 their song "A Musikant im Trachteng'wand" won first place in the Austrian category and fourth place overall. Their albums include A Echter Steirerklang (1995), Uafoch Stoark (1996), Jung, Zünftig, Super Drauf (1997), Sowieso Samma Froh (1998), Alles Klar (1999), Echt Cool (2000), Wir Stehen auf Frauen-Power (2002), Die Größten Hits der Volksmusik (2003), I Bleib bei Volksmusik (2004), Herz an Herz (2005), Ein Herz aus Volksmusik (2006), and Rot Weiss Rot (2007). Their popular breakthrough came with "Madonna Mia," a hit single from their 1997 album Jung, Zünftig, Super Drauf. ~ Jason Birchmeier, Rovi