DRAMAS

DRAMAS skillfully master the art of the in-between: between a heavy heart and the knowledge that everything changes, that nothing stands still.

The Artpop duo’s previous successes read impressively and with Jewel Drums, DRAMAS are back after a longer album release break. They surprise with hypnotic sounds, driving beats and powerful new singles that enriches their already multi-faceted and independent musical microcosm, without foregoing the band’s characteristic style.

„Working on Jewel Drums was pure joy – almost like starting from scratch again. Only this time, we barely argued (maybe it’s time to rename ourselves Happiness).

Jewel Drums is a confident record that explores identity and external perception (“Fame”, “Mannequin”), solitude as both empowerment and irony (“Why Am I So Alone”), and features unembellished love songs (“I Heard It On The Radio”, “Twenty Oh Nineteen”, “Coma Call”). There are also two tracks that dive into futuristic themes, sparking vivid imagery and a real sense of thrill while writing them (“Glacier”, “AFK Mode”). One of the most special pieces is “Soul Capture” – originally recorded in 2014, shelved for years, and now revived and refined. For us, it’s the hidden jewel of the album.

We imposed no musical or genre boundaries on Jewel Drums – it’s a collection of what creatively inspired us in the moment. That led us to explore new ground in terms of production: from cinematic minimalism to alt-rock textures, from experimental underground sounds and 80s aesthetics to contemporary grandeur – sometimes all within a single track. This album represents our most significant artistic evolution yet. It feels like a revelation: we’re holding back less, but still staying refined. We’ve pushed ourselves rhythmically and also played with reduction – including a track based entirely on a single chord (“A Little Less Quiet Please”).“ – DRAMAS

Formed in 2016, DRAMAS immediately presented a strong, emotional debut with their first album Nothing Is Permanent (2018) and landed indie airplay hits across Europe with several singles from it. Subsequently, Viktoria Winter and Mario Wienerroither – who incidentally inspires millions of people worldwide with his Musicless Music videos on Youtube and is thus even an official BBC award winner – also made a name for themselves as an exciting live band. DRAMAS convinced at numerous festivals or as top-class tour support for the British shooting star Cosmo Sheldrake.

The fact that DRAMAS can also be counted on internationally in the long term was underlined by the duo’s numerous successful singles, which they have released during the last four years. Their powerful long-running hit Bloodbath, their indie anthems AFK Mode, blah blah, Fame and their new wave hit Undercover Dreamer for example caused a sensation on over 100 radio stations across Europe.

Driven by the fascination for unconscious opposites and resistances, Viktoria Winter and Mario Wienerroither once again wrap the clash of different worlds, perspectives and emotions into reduced, deeply moving music on their self-titled second album (2021).

What’s so heavy on this mind?, DRAMAS once asked in a song and to this day they consistently celebrate the juxtaposition of these opposites also musically with their very own sound. With apparent ease, Wienerroither blends stylistic ingredients from various genres, cinematic soundscapes, synthesizer, electro, drum and percussion sounds with Winter’s unmistakable voice to create an even greater whole. The third DRAMAS album Jewel Drums has been announced for Summer 2025.

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Photos © Tim Cavadini