Fritzi Ernst, whose former band Schnipo Schranke achieved something like legendary status, will release her first solo album titled "Keine Termine" on June 11, 2021. The eponymous first single from the album was released on March 19, 2021, along with a music video.
No appointments, then. To get the obvious joke out of the way right at the start: Yes, it’s true, it’s been over a year of pandemic and Fritzi Ernst is releasing “Keine Termine.” In that sense, she is certainly not alone. And since we’re already on the topic of breakfast: Yes, “Keine Termine” is also Fritzi Ernst’s solo debut after the end of Schnipo Schranke two years ago.
Schnipo Schranke, Fritzi Ernst's old band, sang “about piss and sperm, but the real star in their songs [was] not the potty humor but fears of failure, depression, and psychoses” (detektor.fm) and not only made it into all annual charts due to the super single “Pisse,” but also graced the Rock am Ring stage, played sold-out venues, had their own column in Musikexpress, and remain in the hearts of all indie pop fans to this day. 2019 marked the end for Schnipo Schranke, and the duo's journey concluded after seven years and two albums, much to the regret of fans and the cultural section. And not least of Fritzi Ernst herself. But as is often the case with separations: Sometimes they also unleash power. For example, the kind of power that suddenly leads one to start a piano building apprenticeship. In retrospect, it may have been one of those famous golden detours: namely the one on which Fritzi Ernst gained the necessary courage to make music again, to perform as an artist, and to release her solo debut.
The link to the music video for “Keine Termine” is as follows:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vttyOuBFEp8
And you can hear it well. Because even with the very decisive first piano notes of “Keine Termine,” which serves as both the title track and album opener, one senses: This album is unique: “Everyone wants to experience something. I could throw up.” No appointments not only as a description of a state but as the most desirable of all states, as a happy place. A musical embodiment of a Friday night at home, while ignoring the annoying messages from all friends who are still “out and about” and trying to persuade you to party. “Every second is a delight when I don’t have to do anything.” The mood is already set: A song like the opposite of a party, but – and unfortunately, one cannot say it any other way – also about and with the honest fun of making music.
The songs on “Keine Termine” - all produced together with Ted Gaier from Die Goldenen Zitronen - were created in very different phases of Fritzi Ernst's life. But even though the wonderful artwork in notebook style (Danika Arndt) might suggest otherwise: Ceci n'est pas un Tagebuch. Rather, it is an extremely condensed, often introspective collection of songs that tell of memories and experiences, fears and depressions, and, of course, also about the beginnings and endings of love. Somewhere between depression pop and pop depression. And in that good way that many want to achieve, but only very few can: So, as you’ve rarely heard it before.
Musically, the mostly minimalist arrangements provide the exact right backdrop for lyrics that come across as unpretentious as possible – no lyrics about music without something “coming up” or someone being “kidnapped,” as music law dictates – and thus develop an enormous, yes, lyrical power, drawing on various anarchic styles from Stereo Total to K.I.Z to Helge Schneider. Although, that’s not entirely true either: Because Fritzi Ernst develops her own voice and sound on and with “Keine Termine,” thus creating an artistic vision that cannot simply be justified by reflexively comparing it to other extremely iconic male musicians or her old band. Rather, one should say: Listen to this album and tell your friends about it. If it’s not for them: Too bad. If they realize what an incredible stroke of luck “Keine Termine” has become: Congratulate them! Or as Fritzi Ernst would say: “I give you all my love and also a lot of luck. And if you don’t want that, then just give it back to me” (“Alles Liebe”).
The album "Keine Termine" by Fritzi Ernst will be released on June 11, 2021.
