Hans Söllner

The man belongs in the "Great Bavarian Songbook", in the hall of fame of Bavarian songwriters" says Bayerischer Rundfunk - and for once he is right on all counts. The man from Bad Reichenhall has been on the road for over 40 years now and Söllner is somewhere between Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and a Bavarian poacher - singing in the songwriting tradition of American directness, with great musical instinct and as if freedom-seeking pioneers had returned to the Alps. Söllner's view of life is incorruptible, his image of the world he wants to live in is a just one and his anger at those who want to destroy this world and its creatures comes with elemental force. "We have forgotten that we are the only species that can decide to make a difference. We can end the misery before the misery ends us. I try to believe in the good, even if I don't always succeed and I repeatedly show our hypocrisy in my songs," says Söllner. Despite this, or precisely because of this, hope is always the greatest force in his songs, tenderness and love are always stronger than anger or despair. But woe betide those who misuse the concept of freedom or want to curtail Söllner's very own freedom, his directness and coarseness can be merciless and his accuracy in pinpointing the wrong notes is legendary. So brace yourselves, you fine spirits and conflict avoiders, this is where it gets down to business. In his language, which doesn't just want to play a bit Bavarian, Söllner lives in what he says and how he says it, with all his might and incredible emphasis. Hans Söllner howls and whispers - shouts and scolds - speaks and tells - laughs and grins - makes you sad or happy - drives you forward and holds you tight. Insistent - precise - relentless and always in the rhythm of life.