Alpski Muzikantje

Alpen Musikanten (German for 'Alpine musicians', or 'Alpski Muzikantje' in Slovenian) is a Melbourne based Alpine folk music trio specialising in popular folk music from Slovenia and Austria. We have a passion to play the music just as it's done in Europe right now, which is enjoyed by all generations alike, and pride ourselves on both our authenticity and high energy which gets toes tapping and dancefloors started. Focusing on fast polkas and waltzes, we also add well known songs from neighbouring countries and feature vocals in German, Slovenian, Italian, French and English. We feature a piano accordion, bass, and guitar as well as vocals.
Our style is based on the Slovenian 'Oberkrainer' style which has transformed the way Alpine folk music is performed across Slovenia, Austria, the southern part of Germany (Bavaria), and smaller but passionate populations in neighbouring areas such as Hungary, Northern Croatia, Northern Italy, and Switzerland. This style was pioneered by the Avsenik brothers from Slovenia in the 1950s, who revolutionised Alpine folk music with the introduction of guitar and bass rhythm elements inspired by French Gypsy Jazz and Swing music, an infectiously happy sound of accordion rhythm using sixteenth notes, a constant flow of new compositions, and all performed in a colourful, traditional Slovenian costume, hailing from the 'Gorenjska' or 'Oberkrain' region (which happens to be where the famed Kransky sausage comes from).