Five German language musicians/artists you might like

Learn languages May 22, 2012

Is there a more enjoyable way to get to know a language and culture than through music? Well, learning German in immersion would be our tip, but a great soundtrack certainly helps! Here are some tips for music recorded in German. If you have any good ones that we have missed, please let us know in the comments.

Wir sind Helden

Established in 2000 in Hamburg, Wir sind Helden brought a renewed credibility to German pop rock music. They’re still going strong after two members took time off to have a baby (together).

Die Sterne

Another Hamburg band, founded in 1992, Die Sterne have been through various sounds over the last 20 years. Their most recent album 24/7 was a bit of a departure into disco-driven beats (produced by Gomma boss and Munich disco don Mathias Modica) and was well received by critics.

Falco

A national hero in Austria after becoming the first German-speaking artist to achieve a number-one single in the US Billboard Charts (with Rock me Amadeus), Falco was a precocious talent who died young. Alles klar Herr Kommissar?

Kraftwerk

Music that still sends a shiver down the spine. Nowadays it’s hard to imagine just how different Kraftwerk were back in the 1970s, when computers were the size of rooms and electronic music was largely the preserve of sound effects buffs. Alongside Daft Punk, Kraftwerk are also one of the most elusive and secretive bands of all time: their famous Düsseldorf studio, KlingKlang, has no telephone, no fax, no reception and returns all post unopened.

Sido

Seemingly unavoidable on German and Austrian television (where he judges talent shows), Berlin resident Sido raps about the way things are.

He’s full of himself and often entertaining… no wonder when he comes from such a cool city.

Find out more about German language courses around the world.

By Alex Hammond

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