Wagner the Band is a Vienna based and they come back with XTC, the explosive, all-groove-based album which demonstrates a group that knows perfectly well who it is! The band has consistently developed an infectious sound led by an outstanding songwriter and singer, Rainer Wagner, whose sound is based on funk-infused rock, vintage soul, disco and pop, with the vitality and live-band sound delivered in a rough and electrified manner. It is retro-futuristic in their music, simultaneously nostalgic and modern, with an excellent appeal to the old, and yet a clean and fresh emotional appeal!
The core of XTC is pure incontrovertible rhythm! The album swings with a certain bounce, swagger and, above all, a certain sense of warmth, yet it does not fear heavier feelings or more in-depth emotions. This interesting balance is well embodied in the title track, XTC, which is simply a catchy, more dance-able groove combined with a sincere discussion of the topic of addiction, compulsion, and inner conflict in the lyrics. The album also tells a musical story of how it naturally moves between song moments filled with high energy and ones that are more reflective without losing the sense of flow or uniqueness of an individual personality!
Captured with a superb concentration on actual performances and emotional sincerity, XTC resembles a band within a room, pressing together with a sense of chemistry and passion without polish coming between the unvarnished power! With inspirational openers that warm you up to heartfelt closers that leave you feeling like you have fallen, you have to get on your feet, and by no means stay still! the record narrates an easy-to-follow and recognizable human tale of being knocked down, regaining your footing, and simply refusing to stand still!
It is a feel-good music that is not empty lip service, and Wagner the Band has managed to put it across with infectious confidence and undeniable groove!
Listen to XTC below
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What was the central inspiration behind “XTC”?
Honestly? Life just happened. A lot at once. Good stuff, scary stuff, emotional chaos, all of it. I didn’t sit down and say “now I will write a concept album.” The songs just came out of that phase. And soul-rock is just the way we naturally express ourselves. Groove when we’re okay, grit when we’re not. Simple as that.
How did the analog production affect the energy, especially on “Don’t Stop Movin’”?
We just wanted it to feel like a band in a room. No makeup, no safety net. On “Don’t Stop Movin’” especially, you hear everyone pushing at the same time. The bass is driving, the guitars are a bit wild, the brass is loud on purpose. It sounds like we’re about to lose control — in a good way.
What was the songwriting and recording process for “XTC” like? Any challenges?
Messy. Some songs came fast, some were painful. There were days where nothing worked, and days where everything suddenly clicked. The hardest part was not overthinking things. We kept a lot of takes that were technically not perfect but emotionally honest. That was kind of the whole point of the record.
Which tracks feel most important to the story of the album, and why?
Apart from the title track XTC which was the start of the whole album i would say,
“Golden” is very close to my heart — that song came straight out of a really dark time.
“Don’t Stop Movin’” is the one that keeps you going when your brain says “nah.”
“Little Thief” is a love letter to my son.
”Daisy” is the cinematic summary of everything Wagner the Band stands for until now.
Together all the songs on the album tell the story of getting knocked down and not staying there.
How does “XTC” show your evolution since 2018?
Back in 2018 we were trying to prove that we belong. Now we’re more relaxed about that. We know what we like, what we sound like, and what we don’t need anymore. There’s more soul, more dirt, and fewer expectations. That feels good.
How did your live experience influence the performances on the album?
Live shows taught me to stop hiding. You can’t fake it on stage — people feel everything. That definitely shaped the vocals on this album. Some takes are raw, some are shaky, but they’re real. That’s how I sing live too.
What do you want people to feel when they listen to “XTC,” especially live?
I want it to feel like they’re not alone in whatever they’re dealing with. And at the same time I want them to move, sweat, shout, whatever. Think less “perfect concert,” more “good night that you’ll remember because something real happened.”
How has the reaction been so far, and what’s next?
The feedback has been really beautiful, honestly. People get what we were trying to do, and that means a lot. Now it’s about playing the songs live as much as possible, and then just… keep going. New songs are already popping up, of course. They always do. Let’s see what comes next. Probably something harder and more bluesy!
