Torners Dinner

“Never had as many doubts as this year”

(Bild: Tröster Andreas)

The "Krone" met former Starmania winner Anna Buchegger for a frank conversation about the tough side of show business.

"Krone ":Anna, what a beautiful necklace - does the gold pendant with the numbers "0815" have a meaning?

Anna Buchegger: Yes, it does. Someone once told me that I and my music were just "08/15" anyway, nothing special. I dealt with that in my own way and bought this necklace to go with it(laughs).

Do you like to confront your critics, I hear?
Yes, that's true. During "Starmania", I even replied to every nasty comment on social media. But that's completely pointless in the long run because things like that build up quickly.

(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

Dosuch comments hit you hard?
Yes, of course. But what annoys me the most are people who twist things. I recently published an excerpt from my song "Vaterland". In it, I sing "Our fatherland wobbles on the beer bench". It's actually about social criticism, religion, National Socialism and coming to terms with it. However, someone who heard the song interpreted it to mean that my father is wobbling on the beer bench, so I supposedly had a bad childhood and am now singing about it. It spread so far and wide that my parents were even asked about it. My mom was really upset afterwards, she felt really bad about it.

Anna Buchegger opted for salmon and cream cheese wraps at the 220 Grad Café in Nonntal.

(Bild: Tröster Andreas)

But you obviously don't let such incidents get you down. Critics describe your new album as peppered with "uncomfortable lyrics that can hurt or offend".
On my new album, I do this in Salzburg dialect, with Alpine dulcimer and a modern pop sound. I've been thinking a lot about the word "homeland" over the past year and have realized that we are often still stuck in conservative, old patterns. These things need to be addressed. I see it as my job to help shape society and politics with my music. That's what I want as a young woman.

We are still often stuck in old ways of thinking. Such things need to be addressed. I see that as my task as an artist.

Anna Buchegger

Bild: Andreas Tröster

It requires a certain self-confidence. Who gave you that along the way?
I am often insecure. But I've found ways to deal with it. Nevertheless, I've never had as many doubts as I have this year. Financially, with my independence, what does the balance of all this look like at the end of the year ... The decision to work as a freelance artist is a very risky step. And I know that it wouldn't be possible without the support of my parents. That's why it was also important for me to build up a second mainstay as a music teacher. At Jazzit, for example, we have our own music education program.

The decision to be an artist is a very risky step. And I know that it wouldn't be possible without the support of my parents.

Anna Buchegger

Would you recommend a career as a singer to the young people who come to you there?
To be honest, I don't know if I would recommend this profession to young people without further ado. But I would definitely advise them to make music if they like it. Maybe even with a part-time job. But music can be very mentally and collectively empowering. Despite everything, I still believe that music is something that unites people.

Has your participation in the ORF casting show given you a bonus in this tough business?
I also have days when I don't know what to do next, for example when I don't get any gigs. My Starmania contract expired a long time ago, it was limited to two years from the start. In the end, it was a steady, slow process. But that was clear from the start. It was more of a personal benefit for me. I realized what I wanted and what I didn't want. And also that I can rely on my instincts.

You still manage yourself today and have your own music label, don't you?
I now have management, including press work. It's enough for me that I have to use social media. I don't check it at all, even though I'm young(laughs). I do my best, but editing videos and posting something at certain times on certain days is actually a job in itself. I still have my own music label, though. I wouldn't have seen any advantage in signing a contract with someone else.

I don't check social media at all, even though I'm young (laughs). Editing and posting all these videos is a job in itself.

Anna Buchegger

What are your wishes for the future?
With my new album "Windschatten" coming out on October 4, I'm looking forward to playing concerts. And I would like to teach more as a music teacher. It's a secure foothold and I enjoy it. Above all, I think it's meaningful work because I can pass on my knowledge to other people.

Performance on March 22 in Salzburg
...Concert tip: Anna Buchegger will be performing with the Lungau Big Band at Szene Salzburg on Friday, March 22 (8 pm).

About the person
Anna Buchegger comes from Abtenau, her parents have a small farm with alpacas. In 2011, Buchegger, twelve years old at the time, was the youngest contestant to take part in the casting show "Die große Chance" and was eliminated in the semi-finals. Buchegger won the ORF singing show "Starmania" ten years later. The 25-year-old completed a degree in music education in Vienna alongside her singing career.