Frida Gold

Growing up in Germany's industrial Ruhr region used to mean a worker's existence was set in stone. But those times have passed. Structural changes over the last few years have been aimed at raising creativity in the country's former coal capital. And the band Frida Gold is a perfect fit for the new creative way of life in the Ruhr area.    

Alina Süggeler and Julian Cassel, two of the band members, met in school in the small town of Hattingen. They both played in different bands - she is a singer, he plays the guitar. At that time, they both try to get noticed at talent shows for up-and-coming musicians.

But Alina also had other plans. She diligently practiced the flute for the prestigious classical music competition "Jugend musiziert" and was admitted into the highly competitive Folkwang Musical School in Essen. She pursued her classical flute studies for two semesters before embarking on a new musical adventure with Julian.  

Cell phones and soccer

At Hamburg's University of Music and Theater, the two followed their dream of becoming professional musicians. Then they found the missing piece to their ensemble in Andreas (Andi) Weizel, who was studying music business at the Pop Academy in Mannheim at the time. He had all the contacts the group needed to work their way up in the competitive pop music world. Frida Gold was later joined by drummer Thomas Holtgreve.

The band continued to get coaching while their connections to management, producers and booking agencies slowly fell into place. Finally, they landed a contract with Warner Music.  

It was a TV commercial for a cell phone that brought Frida Gold into the spotlight for the first time at the end of 2010, with singer Alina Süggeler taking the lead. She's been getting noticed - and not just for her voice: Fashion labels have booked her as a model and the German jury for the Eurovision Song Contest wants her as a juror. Earlier this year she became the new face of women's soccer when Frida Gold's "Wovon sollen wir träumen" (What should we dream of) became the theme song of the Women's World Cup in Germany.

Crazy outfits and a compliment

Barefoot, patterned nylon tights, belly tops, flowing shirts, ornate headdresses: Alina continually recreates her style in unexpected ways. With a melodica and drum sticks in her hand, she proves that she is indeed a musician who also takes part in writing songs. Every melodic line is accompanied by co-songwriter Andi's guitar, and this leads to turns where Alina's classical past shines through.

Frida Gold has played its first couple of bigger gigs with bands like Bosse and Revolverheld,  and stars like Udo Lindenberg and Kylie Minogue.

"You're so cute," Kylie reportedly said to Alina, complimenting her on her talent and looks. She felt flattered by the compliment, but is far from basking in it. She wants the second album to have "even more depth" - and Frida Gold has likely already been writing new songs on their first big tour, which is just wrapping up.

Author: Daniel Hauser / sst

Editor: Kate Bowen