The Notwist

The Notwist formed in 1989 in Weilheim, Germany, starting as a trio with Markus Acher on vocals and guitar, his brother Michael on drums, and Martin Gretschmann on guitar and bass. Their early work had a post-punk feel, but they didn't stay in one lane for long.

Their third album, '12' from 1995, was a turning point. It mixed hip-hop beats with electronic textures and orchestral touches, a sound that felt fresh at the time and got them noticed. Songs like 'Consequence' and '7 Hour Drive' from that period show how they could weave melancholy melodies into intricate, shifting arrangements.

Later records like 'Neon Golden' and 'The Devil, You + Me' kept exploring, pulling in elements of folk and jazz while maintaining that core of detailed electronic production. The band's lineup expanded over time to include Andi Haberl on keyboards and Cico Beck on trumpet, adding more color to their sound. They've kept working at their own pace, putting out albums like 'Vertigo Days' in 2019 without much fanfare about reinvention or legacy.