About
Biography
Global.Kryner: An Austrian Folk Band With a Modern Twist
Global.Kryner was an Austrian folk band that mixed traditional alpine music with modern sounds like jazz, Latin, and pop. The group started in 2002, when Christof Spörk, a clarinet player and writer, teamed up with trombonist and singer Sebastian Fuchsberger. They wanted to bring Neue Volksmusik, or “new folk music”, to a global audience.
A Unique Sound and Strong Team
To complete the group, they invited four more musicians. Guitarist Edi Köhldorfer added jazz and pop. Accordionist Anton Sauprügl brought the heart of alpine folk. Trumpet player Karl Rossmann strengthened the brass section. In 2004, jazz-pop singer Sabine Stieger joined as lead vocalist. Her voice gave the band a modern edge. The full lineup gave the group a bold and colourful sound. They called their music alpine pop.
First Albums and Early Success
In 2004, Global.Kryner released their first album, global.kryner. It stayed on the Austrian charts for 42 weeks. Their music appeared on Austrian and German radio and TV shows. In 2005, they released their second album, Krynology, which reached number 2 on the Austrian album charts. That same year, they won the Amadeus Austrian Music Award for best Pop/Rock group. Their mix of styles and humorous covers made them stand out.
Eurovision Song Contest 2005
Also in 2005, Global.Kryner represented Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest. They performed the song “Y Así” during the semi-final in Kyiv. The song mixed Spanish lyrics with alpine music. Although they did not reach the final, their performance received attention across Europe.
Touring and International Appeal
After Eurovision, Global.Kryner kept touring. They played across Europe and even in Mexico. In 2006, they received the Prix Pantheon, a German cabaret prize. This showed that the band was not only musical but also entertaining and original. Their live shows combined skill with humour and energy.
New Albums and Collaborations
The band released several more albums. In 2008, they released Weg. One year later, they recorded a live album. In 2010, they worked with The Rounder Girls, a well-known Austrian vocal trio. Together, they created new music that blended voices, instruments, and styles. Altogether, Global.Kryner released six albums.
The Final Tour and Life After
In 2013, Global.Kryner began their farewell tour called Servus. They gave their last concerts that year and then stopped performing as a group. After the split, the members followed solo careers. Christof Spörk became a successful cabaret performer. Sebastian Fuchsberger started singing opera in Germany. Sabine Stieger began her own pop and jazz career. Other members continued working as professional musicians.