Jungstötter is the moniker of singer Fabian Altstötter. As an adolescent in the tranquility of small-town Germany, he founded his first band, Sizarr, with two of his childhood friends. They soon released two records, which paved the way out of their hometown Landau to play shows throughout Europe, and as far as SXSW in Austin, Texas. Their sound was youthful but already displayed a prevalent knowledge of pop history.
Some years have passed and the young artist is now based in Berlin. The coats have grown longer and the skin is tinged with morbid fantasies. The gloom lingers on with Jungstötter; corollary of his old projects he has carved out a distinct style. The singer has evolved into a storyteller.
In contrast to the music of Sizarr the ten pieces on LOVE IS steady themselves on only a few instruments. Their playfulness emancipate themselves without much pomp. With great care they have been reduced musically to form a sculpture, which isn’t bare of ornament but finds it’s body, countenance and expression without big effects. At the same time, and this marks a very special note, it is full of a peculiar introverted pathos, which persists without bellowing but prudently reaches out for it’s listeners.
The references lie in the romantic sphere. Between the severity of the Bad Seeds, the pain of Tuxedomoon, the nightmarish song-scapes of Scott Walker, the intensity of Neil Young and the delicacy of Mark Hollis; Jungstötter though finds his own voice.
