From Pixner to Seer

The music stars and their love for the “Steirische”

Harmonica sensation Herbert Pixner plays a model made by Andreas Jamnik from Gamlitz.(Bild: Herbert Pixner Projekt)

Herbert Pixner plays on a Styrian harmonica made by Andreas Jamnik. Andreas Gabalier, the Seer and Melissa Naschenweng take up the Strasser harmonica. The signal effect is enormous.

In Styria, you don't need to worry about the next generation," promises Herbert Pixner at his concert in Weiz, looking into the audience with a broad grin. There are a conspicuous number of children and young people sitting in the front rows, gazing lovingly at the exceptional artist from South Tyrol. Whether at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the Salzburg Festspielhaus or the Stronach-Saal in Weiz, his concerts are always sold out.

"Herbert Pixner has brought the 'Steirische' to the big music stage," enthuses Gamlitz harmonica maker Andreas Jamnik about the phenomenon that is Pixner, who he has been supplying with the "Steirische" for years and has thus become the company's figurehead.

There is no money for good advertising
The harmonica maker swears that his advertising medium has to queue up and pay for a new instrument just like any other customer. "We're friends, but Herbert doesn't get any money for advertising."

Ernst Strasser (right) knows what the music stars need: Jürgen Leitner (Seer) plays one of his Styrian instruments.(Bild: Strasser)

Graz-based harmonica manufacturer Ernst Strasser also benefits from many prominent musicians. Whether Andreas Gabalier, Melissa Naschenweng, the Seer or the Pagger Buam - they all reach for the "Strasser Styrian", of which 20 models are delivered all over the world every week. Strasser appreciates the signal effect the musicians have on his 25-person company. Special requests are fulfilled during the night shift.

Florian Silbereisen fights for Graz-based company
Florian Silbereisen, for example, ordered a fluorescent harmonica made with countless Swarovksi stones for just one show appearance. Ernstl Strasser does it out of long-standing friendship, but also in awareness of the advertising power of his TV stars. Hardly anyone knows that Silbereisen was once a regular at the Graz trade fair and played the harmonica on the Strasser stand for years as a youngster.

 Out of solidarity, the German show host even fights with the TV producers for the logo on his harmonica: "I won't have it taped off, because Strasser is the name for the Styrian accordion." You couldn't wish for more advertising.