Project Description
Similar Artists: Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, Rayland Baxter
Alt-Country, Americana, Blues, and Folk probably aren’t the first things people anywhere would associate with the mountains of Austria. But that is exactly what the audience can expect when Chris Comper hits the stage as Prinz Grizzley.
He performs music from the heart. A heart heavily influenced by “mountains, forests, stubbornness, warmth of heart, religiosity and part of a very simple life”. It is a mix of Austrian alpine culture expressed through the sounds of Americana. It isn’t too surprising that it works. There has been a long standing tradition in the US of absorbing aspects of immigrant culture and building it back into the sounds that would eventually become so iconic. Now it’s possible for that process to be reversed and for the result to feel just as organic. Heartbreak, loneliness, and melancholy are universal experiences that just happen to be enhanced by a certain honky-tonk swing, the sound of a pedal steel guitar, or a voice from someone who has just seen too much.
News
RELEASES
“Nothing Left But Scars”
Release Date: May 18, 2020
“Heartbreak, loneliness, and melancholy are universal experiences that Prinz Grizzley (aka Chris Comper) enhances with a certain honky-tonk swing, pedal steel guitar and vocals from someone who maybe has just seen too much.” – Elmore Magazine
The single reminisces of failed romance while hopeful melancholy sweeps through the vast desert of memories with a breath of fresh air. It’s off the Beau Bedford (Leon Bridges, The Texas Gentlemen) produced album, To My Green Mountains Home, due out June 26.
“Magdalena”
Release Date: June 15, 2020
The single carrying Prinz Grizzley’s wife’s name is both a passionate love letter to the woman he loves and a dedication to all strong women out there.
To My Green Mountains Home
Release Date: June 26, 2020
On the upcoming album, Prinz Grizzley performs music from the heart. A heart heavily influenced by “mountains, forests, stubbornness, warmth of heart, religiosity and part of a very simple life.” It is a mix of Austrian alpine culture expressed through the sounds of Americana. To My Green Mountains Home is a search for meaning and identity in love, manhood, life’s tragedies, family history, and home. It’s about leaving behind what you’ve known to arrive in truer, greener pastures. It’s the hero’s journey as a quest within the mountains of Austria and the caverns of the soul.
Bio
Alt-Country, Americana, Blues, and Folk probably aren’t the first things people anywhere would associate with the mountains of Austria. But that is exactly what the audience can expect when Chris Comper hits the stage as Prinz Grizzley.
He performs music from the heart. A heart heavily influenced by “mountains, forests, stubbornness, warmth of heart, religiosity and part of a very simple life”. It is a mix of Austrian alpine culture expressed through the sounds of Americana. It isn’t too surprising that it works. There has been a long standing tradition in the US of absorbing aspects of immigrant culture and building it back into the sounds that would eventually become so iconic. Now it’s possible for that process to be reversed and for the result to feel just as organic. Heartbreak, loneliness, and melancholy are universal experiences that just happen to be enhanced by a certain honky-tonk swing, the sound of a pedal steel guitar, or a voice from someone who has just seen too much.
“Prinz Grizzley took to the stage accompanied by his “Beargaroos”, and displayed an impressive blend of country, folk and blues. It’s truly amazing to see a Austrian singer, demonstrating such an authentic, Southern States, wild-country vibe, with some honest, personal lyricism. A very high calibre that is bound to find some great success, even within this rather niche genre.”
Top Ten of the Week
“Wildly beautiful country-blues of Prinz Grizzley! His voice is distinctive but comparable to Caleb Followill in range and intensity, howling at the moon from his trailer park or, at least, a remote farm somewhere in his native Austria. Going back to a time where music was a simpler beast, he pens love songs that are best listened to up a mountain wearing a cowboy hat. A big, big sound.”
“It is actually hard to believe that he originates from Austria rather than Nashville. In fact, the majority of the songs are better than much of what currently originates from that mainstream conveyor belt of mediocrity; as if Prinz Grizzley has taken the best of it and used his European filter to deliver a product upgrade.”
“This debut album is a fine example of alt-country where the edges are slightly burred and there’s a carefree raggedness to some of the songs that give it an authenticity belying the Bregenzerwald native’s origins. Prinz Grizzley channelling the bastardised ghost of HankWilliams.”
“Heartbreak, loneliness, and melancholy are universal experiences that Prinz Grizzley (aka Chris Comper) enhances with a certain honky-tonk swing, pedal steel guitar and vocals from someone who maybe has just seen too much.”
“‘Drifting‘ sounds by turns elegant and questing.”