Laurenz Nikolaus

In the artist's words:

Growing up between the last bus in the affluent suburbs and the first subway heading toward the big city, Laurenz Nikolaus opens his diary and lets us in on his everyday worries, young love, and the cultivated art of lazing around in an old apartment building.

What seems melancholic at first glance is carried with a surprising lightness, somewhere between Austropop and indie, between Hirsch, Voodoo Jürgens, and a touch of Beirut. It’s about the everyday things that are also life’s big themes—falling in love, having your heart broken, losing yourself, and finding yourself again. He weaves these themes into lyrics that are direct, sometimes playfully twisted, often making you smile, and always stirring your emotions.

Tinder dates on Zollergasse, decadence in the Volksgarten, and walking home through rain-soaked alleys—these are stories that only Vienna can write.

Laurenz Nikolaus keeps the great tradition of Austropop alive in an honest way—not out of calculation, but because it’s in his blood. His band was formed out of years of friendship and a shared passion for music—down-to-earth and without much frills.

He began his musical journey as a child in a brass band; today, he embodies a sound that has just as much heart as it does attitude. He comes from a new generation, thinks and feels differently, and yet manages to stand firmly rooted in this musical history. At the same time, he brings a contemporary flair that fits perfectly.

The release comes via upstairs, the Viennese label that’s also home to pop/hip-hop rising star Eli Preiss and the acclaimed indie band Wallners—a creative cosmos straddling mainstream and subculture, where Laurenz Nikolaus has found his very own place.

Straight from the heart of Vienna into our hearts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Laurenz Nikolaus

1. How did Laurenz Nikolaus come to be?

The trio was founded in 2025 out of a long-standing friendship between singer Laurenz Öllinger and producers Moritz Seidel and Isaac Gartmayer. They met on the Viennese music scene and quickly realized that the combination of Laurenz’s dialect-inflected voice and their production style created something special. What began as a casual project gradually evolved into a band in its own right.

2. What makes Laurenz Nikolaus’ sound special?

The band blends indie pop, Austropop, and Wienerlied with elements of chanson, hip-hop production, and classic songwriting. The sound is minimalist, leaving plenty of room for vocals and lyrics, and is often in 3/4 time. What makes them special is that they sing in the Viennese dialect, using it not as a folkloric gesture but as an artistic tool. The music sounds authentic, without heavy studio polish, and is full of genuine band energy.

3. What’s the story behind“Du bist wie”?

“Du bist wie” was originally a demo, created on a whim without much of a plan. The lyrics, written in the Viennese dialect, consist mainly of “like” comparisons on the theme of falling in love. The song premiered in July 2025 at Popfest Wien and subsequently went viral; a demo version circulated so widely in the scene that it had to be password-protected. The song reached No. 38 on the Austrian charts.

4. Where can I follow Laurenz Nikolaus and listen to her music?

You can find the band on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify.