Judith Ferstl and Judith Schwarz, a conversation at Jazzfestival Saalfelden 46

Two of the three members of the Austrian trio MEL*E

On the first day of Jazzfestival Saalfelden, a powerful concert took place in the evening on the open-air stage at the Otto-Gruberhalle. The trio “Mel*E” delivered an energetic performance centered on the groovy and astonishing music from their debut album, “Proud”, before a captivated audience.

Viola Hammer on keyboards and synthesizers, Judith Ferstl on acoustic bass and bass synthesizer, and Judith Schwarz on extended drums created a fascinating soundscape enhanced by an impressive lighting display.

The following day, I had a brief but fascinating conversation with two members of the trio, Judith Ferstl and Judith Schwarz.

What has Jazzfestival Saalfelden meant to you?

Judith Schwarz: I think, it's really a nice thing now to think about that, In the second rehearsal or third rehearsal, we talked about the venue, about the Otto-Gruberhalle, because we know Saalfelden, of course, but we said, maybe we can play once in the Otto-Gruberhalle, that would be so nice.

Judith Ferstl: It would be just the place for us…

Judith Schwarz: Indeed. And then to have a concert when the people said after they had to stop, letting people in "because it's so full" and it was really the atmosphere and the light and everything, … it was like in a dream. So we just...

Yesterday, while I was in the audience, I noticed how hypnotized people were by your music. It was not only the music itself, but also the power of the sound, the lighting, and the entire performance. Do you consciously choose this approach, or is it a standard part of your concerts? The volume, the resonance, and the power coming from your instruments were extraordinary...

Judith Ferstl: Of course, we wanted there was a lot of flow and a lot of bass. It’s important that there is this power. Also getting to the audience and we like to stand close and to have this triangle on stage and to really connect. Then if you, glimpse into the audience, it's so nice to see the people, like you said, closing their eyes and just dancing and moving. That's more than we ever expected. It's so great that if you play music and you feel like it resonates with the people, I feel there was a nice flow in yesterday's concert. Also the audience, they gave us so much energy and it was so nice. It was so crowded and everybody was so interested and so welcoming.

Judith Ferstl: We spent a lot of time finding the great combinations of the sounds, we have some ideas, but also at what time do we combine this with that and do we have enough transparency to really hear everything and also the dramaturgy, like when to put which element. It's fun to form these songs like this.

Now you have your baby “PROUD”, a fabulous album...

Judith Ferstl: Aha.

Judith Schwarz: Just because of the fact of the power and the volume and the thing that we want to transport, because I think there is sometimes power which excludes the audience and I think we would like to get them, invite them to the power. I think that there is the difference, maybe because we enjoy this power, but not in a way like, "okay, take it". So just, hey, we take it and we have fun. This is also maybe a good invitation, and so we get the people.

I believe this performance could serve as a springboard for you, couldn’t it?

Judith Ferstl: Let's hope, that would be nice.

I don’t know whether the festival is known worldwide, but it certainly has a very strong presence in Europe...

Judith Schwarz: That's all.

Interview and photos © Federico Garcia