Alphorn and electro beats

Rhythmic bass notes fill the air. White spotlights light up the stage. After a couple of beats, an electric guitar and a harmonica take up the melody. They are interspersed with occasional passages of text – sometimes sung, sometimes spoken, in Bavarian dialect. The two men on the stage allow themselves to be led – by the music, by the audience and by the atmosphere. They play in and for the moment and give in completely to the rhythm.

“Loisach Marci”: Mixing modern music and old tradition

Blending traditional old instruments with modern electronic music has proved a successful recipe for “Loisach Marci”. The music duo consists of the Garmisch-born Marcel “Marci” Engler and music producer Jens-Peter Abele. Together, they create a distinctive traditional yet modern sound, which conveys old values and interprets natural Alpine tones in a contemporary way – making them typical Bavarian free spirits.

The two musicians have been refining their unusual sound since summer 2015. While Marcel Engler looks the more traditional of the two in his Lederhose and felt hat, Jens-Peter Abele prefers a more contemporary look: Muscle shirt, horn-rimmed glasses and a cap. From a purely visual perspective, “Loisach Marci” are a totally unlikely pair, but on the stage they form a perfect symbiosis – just like their musical creations.

100 years of musical history

Marcel Engler comes from a musical family and grew up in Garmisch-Partenkirchen surrounded by music and its many influences. He therefore finds it perfectly natural to merge different styles in order to create something new.

His colleague, Jens-Peter Abele, views traditional Bavarian music as a rich treasure chest that imparts ancient knowledge. They draw on these traditions to come up with new inspiration for their music. “Come to a ‘Loisach Marci’ concert and see for yourself how you can march your way through 100 years of musical history,” says the producer.

An Alphorn leans against a type of DJ mixing desk. Marcel Engler reaches for the long wooden pipe and blows into the mouthpiece. Earthy natural tones stream out of the curved end of this old shepherd’s instrument. They generate an avant-garde sound, which releases a sort of magic and sends many listeners into a state of ecstasy.

He feels the music in his heart and simply chooses the instrument he happens to fancy at the time – regardless of whether he has mastered it or not. This incredible virtuoso plays 13 instruments. He is totally unfazed, even by hitherto unfamiliar musical instruments such as African horns. “Marcel takes an intuitive approach and soon finds a way in – both mechanically and musically – so can play a tune in no time. It’s really amazing,” says Jens-Peter Abele. The Alphorn, over 400 years old, with its calming, earthy tone is a particular favourite of Marcel Engler: “It’s simply good for the soul – I felt that as a child,” claims the man from Garmisch.

A truly distinctive sound: Alphorn meets electro

In the rehearsal room, in the studio or live on stage: “We two are an essence. Everything just fits,” asserts Marcel Engler. “Loisach Marci” just start playing – with no running order or set list: “We just pick up on what’s happening and respond to it,” continues Marcel Engler. “Our music has no limits.” Rhythmic, unique, multi-faceted, wild, cheeky and soft – the “Alpine Kraftwerk” are hard to pigeonhole. The duo plays every genre imaginable. Marcel Engler chooses his lyrics from life itself. He wants to make people think. The message behind it all? – “Everyone creates their own message.”

Alphorn and electro beats – some people would say these are poles apart. But after just a few bars the duo has won the audience over. From 15-year-olds to traditional music lovers in their sixties: Their fan base now covers all age groups. “We could make a family gathering out of it,” says Jens-Peter Abele laughing.