Elaiza: The Accordion-Powered Folk Pop Force
Elaiza is a German folk pop band that rose to international prominence by representing their country at the Eurovision Song Contest. Hailing from Berlin, the trio captured national attention with their modern take on folk music, blending accordion melodies with pop and electronic elements.
Early career
The band Elaiza formed in Berlin in 2013, centered around the distinctive voice and accordion playing of Ukrainian-born singer Elżbieta "Ela" Steinmetz. She was joined by bassist Yvonne Grünwald and drummer Natalie Plöger, creating a sound that was both nostalgic and contemporary. Their early work was independently released, quickly garnering a local following for its energetic live performances and fresh sonic identity.
Breakthrough
Elaiza's breakthrough arrived in 2014 when they won the German national selection, "Unser Song für Dänemark", with their song Is It Right. This victory earned them the right to represent Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen. Their participation placed the band on a major European stage, introducing their folk pop sound to an audience of millions and significantly boosting their profile.
Key tracks
Is It Right — This was the band's Eurovision entry, a driving folk-pop anthem that defined their early sound and launched them onto the international stage.
Fight Against Myself — A track from their debut album that showcases their ability to merge powerful, introspective lyrics with catchy, accordion-led instrumentation.
Himmel und Asche — This German-language song highlights the band's roots and their skill in crafting emotionally resonant ballads within their signature style.
Yellow — A later single that demonstrates the band's musical evolution, incorporating more pronounced electronic production while retaining their core folk character.
Following their Eurovision appearance, Elaiza released their self-titled debut album in 2014. The record entered the German album charts, cementing their status as a new force in the German music scene. They continued to tour and release music, including the 2016 EP Remixes and subsequent singles, exploring a richer, more produced sound while staying true to the accordion's central role.
For fans of Elaiza's blend of folk instrumentation and modern pop, several other German artists explore similar terrain. Faun delves deeper into pagan folk and medieval sounds with a similar atmospheric quality. Schandmaul is a staple of the German medieval rock scene, known for their energetic use of traditional instruments. Versengold offers a more boisterous, shanty-influenced take on folk rock with catchy melodies. Letzte Instanz combines rock and folk with violin and cello, creating a darker, more orchestral approach.
Elaiza's unique sound has earned them rotation on a variety of radio formats. Their music is featured on European folk-pop stations, alternative radio streams seeking eclectic sounds, and online radio platforms dedicated to emerging indie talent. Their crossover appeal ensures they appear on playlists alongside both contemporary pop and roots-oriented programming.
Listeners can explore the music of Elaiza through the radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to discover their catalog, from their Eurovision hit to their deeper album cuts, on radio stations available on onairium.com.
