AnnenMayKantereit: The German Indie Rock Phenomenon
AnnenMayKantereit is a German indie rock band renowned for their raw, emotionally charged performances and the distinctive, raspy vocals of lead singer Henning May.Formed in Cologne, Germany, in 2011 by high school friends Henning May (vocals), Christopher Annen (guitar), and Severin Kantereit (bass), later joined by drummer Malte Huck. They gained massive popularity in Germany through viral live street performances and YouTube videos, particularly covers like 'Tom's Diner' and 'Pocahontas'. Their music blends indie rock, blues rock, and pop with deeply personal lyrics sung primarily in German. Major albums include 'Alles nix Konkretes' (2016), 'Schlagschatten' (2018), and '12' (2022).
- The band's name is a combination of the members' surnames: Annen, May, and Kantereit.
- Their breakthrough came unexpectedly in 2015 when a video of them performing a raw, acoustic cover of Suzanne Vega's 'Tom's Diner' on a Düsseldorf street went massively viral, garnering tens of millions of views and international attention.
- Despite their young age, Henning May's unusually deep, raspy, and soulful voice is often described as sounding like that of a much older bluesman, becoming their most recognizable trademark.
- They are known for their intense live performances and a strong DIY ethic in their early days, often playing impromptu gigs on the streets of Cologne.
- Their album '12' (2022) marked a significant shift towards more English-language songs and a slightly more polished sound, produced with notable American musicians.