What do Carlo, Karl, Walter and Stefanie have in common? These common names could be the name of a coiffure salon, a German football player or a political activist. But actually Carlo Onda, Karl Kave, Walter Frosch and Stefanie Stauffacher are the names of extraordinary bands with roots in Eastern Switzerland. Some of them may no longer live there, but originally they all come from St. Gallen, Schaffhausen and Thurgau.
(By the way Larissa Iceglass (Lebanon Hanover) is also originally from St. Gallen).
Carlo Rainolter – aka Carlo Onda (cover detail / left) and Karl Kave (cover detail / right)
What else? Well, they all have a certain touch of a provocative Dada in some of their productions. Sometimes in a subtle and intellectual way, but also in a direct manner and with sense of humor. Musically they have some styles like wave, synthpop, post-punk and electro as a common denominator. And this without them being typical bands within the dark music scene, which is also reflected in their changing aesthetic: fun, colorful, dark, provocative…
Walter Frosch – Rune Dahl Hansen & Mike Saxer
However, there are also some characteristics in their sound that suits the music taste of the dark audience. And it is that despite the pop environment, the bands also show an obscure and melancholic side. The soundscapes are sometimes dark and desolate, sustained by a minimal-drone-wave sound. The synthesizers and the basslines evoke the 80’s legacy, confusing it in a symbiosis with some 90’s electronica influences.
Stefanie Stauffacher – Lara Stoll & Lukas Marty
As for the lyrics, here are also some aspects in which dark music followers can relate. Besides social criticism, there is also a search for personal introspection, and this in a sweet sad way. So watch these videos, listen carefully to Carlo, Karl, Stefanie and Walter, and discover the dark side of their musical profile.
Watch below two videos of each of the artists:
CARLO ONDA – Kopf oder Zahl
CARLO ONDA – Tomorrow We’ll Be Dead
KARL KAVE – Gib nicht auf
KARL KAVE – Geratewohl
WALTER FROSCH – Searching Hands
WALTER FROSCH – Under A Spell
STEFANIE STAUFFACHER – Friedhof Sihlfeld
STEFANIE STAUFFACHER – Bela Lugosi ist tot
For those of you who liked what they heard and want to order any production, you can do so, for example, via Bandcamp. Be sure to follow the artists on social media and check out their productions on the different platforms.
Karl Kave / facebook / YouTube / Bandcamp / Spotify / Instagram
Carlo Onda / facebook / YouTube / Bandcamp / Spotify / Instagram
Walter Frosch / facebook / YouTube / Bandcamp / Spotify / Instagram
Stefanie Stauffacher / facebook / YouTube / Bandcamp / Spotify / Instagram
