Anajo
| Company type | Indie pop band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1999 in Augsburg, Germany |
| Defunct | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Augsburg , Germany |
| Products | Albums, singles, extended plays |
Anajo () was a German indie pop ensemble originating from Augsburg, active between 1999 and 2014. The group consisted of Oliver Gottwald (vocals, guitar), Michael Schmidt (bass, keyboards), and Ingolf Nössner (drums). Their sound merged guitar-driven pop with electronic influences, particularly prominent in their earlier releases. They debuted with an album in 2004 and went on to produce three additional albums; their highest-charting record reached number 51 on Germany’s official charts.
Formation and early phase
The band was established in Augsburg in 1999 by longtime schoolmates Oliver Gottwald and Michael Schmidt, who later brought in drummer Ingolf Nössner after finding him through a local advertisement. The name "Anajo" originated from a fragment of a title visible on a malfunctioning television screen showing the movie Banana Joe. Initially, the trio distributed demo CDs both at live shows and online platforms. One of their early songs, "Ich hol dich hier raus," inspired by the theme of the German TV series Ein Fall für zwei, gained significant attention by reaching the top five on Austrian youth radio station FM4’s listener chart. This track was officially released as a single in May 2004 following their contract with Hamburg-based indie label Tapete Records.
Discography and achievements
Their first full-length album, Nah bei mir (2004), featured selections from their demo repertoire and was met with favorable critiques for its innovative blend of guitar pop enriched with subtle electronic elements. The follow-up album, Hallo, wer kennt hier eigentlich wen? (2007), showcased predominantly guitar-centric compositions over programmed sounds and achieved a peak position of number 51 on the German album charts. Before this release, the EP Spätsommersonne (2006) presented three new tracks along with live recordings.
In 2007, Anajo took part in the Bundesvision Song Contest, representing Bavaria with the song "Wenn du nur wüsstest," performed as a duet with Suzie Kerstgens from Klee. They secured ninth place overall, while the single itself climbed to number 58 on Germany’s singles chart.
Celebrating their tenth anniversary in 2009, Anajo partnered with the University of Augsburg’s pop orchestra to reimagine several songs for the album Anajo und das Poporchester, which also featured a rendition of The Cure’s "Boys Don’t Cry."
Their fourth studio album, Drei (2011), marked a deliberate transition towards predominantly live instrumentation with minimal electronic input. This project included an additional musician to handle keyboard parts and reflected the band’s evolving focus on producing a more organic sound.
Hiatus announcement
In 2014, Anajo declared they would take an indefinite break due to personal family priorities. At the same time, Oliver Gottwald was preparing to release his solo debut album scheduled for February 2015.
Touring history
Anajo maintained an active touring schedule throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. They also performed in Ukraine (2006) and Russia (2006 and 2010) through engagements facilitated by the Robert Bosch Stiftung and Goethe-Institut. In 2008, they toured alongside the University of Augsburg’s pop orchestra across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Sound and style
Known primarily as an indie pop outfit, Anajo earned recognition for their intelligent melodies, straightforward instrumental arrangements, and thoughtfully composed lyrics. Critics often described their music as accessible, upbeat pop characterized by uncomplicated structures. Oliver Gottwald acknowledged that their style divided listeners but stressed its sincere emotional core, which occasionally resulted in elements that could be perceived as either pop-oriented or kitschy. He was chiefly responsible for lyric writing, aiming to resonate emotionally with audiences across diverse moods.
Band members
- Oliver Gottwald – lead vocals, guitar
- Michael Schmidt – bass guitar, keyboards
- Ingolf Nössner – percussion
Albums
- Nah bei mir (Tapete Records/Indigo, released October 2004)
- Hallo, wer kennt hier eigentlich wen? (Tapete Records/Indigo, released February 2007)
- Anajo und das Poporchester (Tapete Records/Indigo, released November 2009)
- Drei (Tapete Records/Indigo, released February 2011)
Extended plays
- Spätsommersonne (Tapete Records/Indigo, released September 2006)
Singles
- "Ich hol dich hier raus" (Tapete Records/Indigo, released May 2004)
- "Monika Tanzband" (Tapete Records/Indigo, released April 2005)
- "Wenn du nur wüsstest" (Tapete Records/Indigo, released January 2007)
- "Hotelboy" (Tapete Records/Indigo, 2007) – promotional release
- "Jungs weinen nicht" (Tapete Records/Indigo, released October 2009)
- "Mädchenmusik" (Tapete Records/Indigo, released November 2010)
Self-produced demo CDs
- Pop und die Welt (1999)
- Geboren für die Stadt (2000)
- Tanz Tanz Band (2002)
- Vorhang auf (2003)
Awards
- 2001: Recipient of the Band des Jahres (Band of the Year) competition in Augsburg
- 2007: Awarded the Bayrischer Musiklöwe for best indie band from Bavaria