Organized Chaos – Cordoba78 on Their Debut Album, Touring and Being Part of a Band That Feels like a Big Family

Not even three years ago, most members of Cordoba78 did not know each other. Now, the five-piece band plays support for Ennio and Sportfreunde Stiller and will go on their own tour this fall with their debut album Afterhour Kaltenbrunnen. The band, which feels more like one big family, consists of Carlo Giulio Sossella as lead singer, Tobias Fussenegger on guitar, Georg Pinter on bass as well as Alex Fetz on drums and Paul Pichler on piano.
Ahead of their busy album release week, THE UNSEEN had the chance to sit down with two of Cordoba's members – Carlo and Tobi – to discuss their process behind writing music, being a band, upcoming tour, favorite tracks and much more!

THE INTERVIEW

Thank you both for taking the time to talk with us today. I always like to start with a quick question: What word best describes your band?

Carlo: I only have two.

Laura: You can also say more than one!

Carlo: Okay, "organized chaos."

Tobias: Then I’ll say "organized" and you say "chaos." (laughs.)

You are from Vorarlberg, Austria. How did you meet?

Carlo: Actually, in one of those smoky rehearsal rooms.

Tobi: Yeah, the two of us.

Carlo: We used to jam a lot there when we were around 18 or 19, just before graduation. Before we left Vorarlberg, anyway. We hung out a lot, and I was in the same class as Paul. So he always tagged along. And Alex, we simply knew him.

Tobi: Exactly, he was a drummer in Vorarlberg. So we just messaged him.

Carlo: There aren’t that many there anyway. (laughs.) And Georg was at the rehearsal room.

Tobi: He’s the only one who isn’t from Vorarlberg. He’s from Lower Austria, close to the Burgenland border.

How did your band get started?

(laughs.) Thank goodness. Has anything changed since you moved to Vienna? In your personal lives or in the band?

Carlo: I think there’s always a transition when you’re in your twenties. It’s very constant in a way – so many new experiences all the time. So much changes rapidly. Our personal lives have also done a complete 180, because we started out as students. And now we're musicians. (laughs.) We’re on the road all the time and rarely home, so it’s really cool. Otherwise, concerning society ... I don’t even need to get into it. There are changes everywhere, even in Vienna. But yeah ... for us, too.

How did you come up with your name?

Carlo: We were looking at visuals for an old project, those Córdoba things. Because Córdoba 1978 is so prominent among our parents‘ generation and it also kind of sums up just how small Austrians actually are.

Tobi: I have to say, I didn’t really know much about that back then. You were always talking about it. So, we looked at the videos, and until then I didn’t even know what it was. Only that it was some kind of football game. [West Germany famously lost against Austria during the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Córdoba, Argentina. It was Austria's first win against Germany in 47 years].

Carlo: It just really sums up how small Austrians are – in this case, Austrian men. And people are still having a blast with it 40 or 50 years later. It’s a funny story in itself and the visuals looked super funny. At that point, we were looking for a name for our new band project, which was still nameless back then. Then we said, "That's actually hilarious." At first, everyone was kind of against it, except Tobi and me. We pushed through because band names – anyone who’s ever looked for a band name knows this – are just super difficult and stupid. You can use one of those online generators – not that great either. And other than that, I have no idea. A lot of people use initials, but that wouldn’t be that great for us ... Cato, Catopgax. Not great either. (laughs.)

Tobi: I always thought it was cool when there were numbers in there as well. Like 78. (laughs.)

Carlo: Yeah, that’s cool, too!

So basically, it was kind of Carlo's idea, and you guys presented it to the others?

Carlo: Yeah, that’s how we pitched it. But now, if we were to do it again, I’d use my bank PIN. Mine or yours [Tobi's].

Tobi: So just your PIN? Did you just leak that? (laughs.)

Don’t worry, I'll edit that out! (laughs.) Who are your main sources of inspiration?

Carlo: I'd say a lot of '60s and '70s music. Blues, Rodríguez, Aretha Franklin. And lots of other stuff, right up to today. I mean, we think everything's awesome. I also like Lola Young, contemporary pop is awesome. We‘ve all been raised with different musical backgrounds. Tobi and I have similar roots, kind of a blues thing. Paul comes from a jazz background, Alex lived in South America and Georg is a Gürtellegende. (laughs.) [Wiener Gürtel is a long ring road famous for its nightlife and music venues.]
And I think that’s what makes a band so great – that so many different influences come together, and then somehow they find their own musical approach as a group. Together, they create this huge, amazing mix. Because I think the worst thing is when musicians get a little too obsessed with genres and then think only their own genre is cool. I think that’s so bad. I think everything can be awesome. Old-school pop is great, too. Except for German Schlager and, well, Nazi rock of course, I think everything else is cool. So, in most cases, there’s actually something cool in everything. And that’s kind of the beauty of music.

Laura: So you’re always trying to add a little bit of everything into your music?

Carlo: For sure, I think you can really hear that. Our album has a very classic instrumentation. Our new one probably has a bit of a 70s vibe to it, in terms of instrumentation. But it’s also obviously produced in a very pop-oriented way. It’s kind of a clash between the way people produce in the 2020s and also instrumented like in the 70s. I think that’s a really fun and exciting contrast. That was exactly our goal for this album – to make an album that sounds organic and the same when played live.

Tobi: The tracks were actually recorded live. I mean, we were all really in the same room and played all instruments live.

You’re releasing your debut album, “Afterhour Kaltenbrunnen,” on July 31st, 2026, which you actually recorded live in one room. What was the creative process like? How was the songwriting process?

Carlo: We, that is Paul, Tobi and I, write together, usually beforehand. I write a lot of lyrics, either at home or when I’m going somewhere. Tobi writes the guitar parts and Paul handles the keyboard. And then we write around the piano, Beatles-style. After, we bring in the other two and finish it off together with our producer. This time, we were at Hansa Studio in Berlin. Usually, the four of us play the track together and I sing over it at the end. There’s a bit of editing, dubbing – and we drink a couple beers. (both laugh.)

Through the process of creating your debut album, have you learned anything about yourselves as well as a band?

Carlo: Yeah, I think a crazy amount. I mean, artistically speaking, we became a lot more confident. And it kind of gives you a huge confidence boost because before we were always very critical of what we were doing. Which is good, but only to a certain extent. I think we were quick to decide that we didn’t like a lot of what we were doing. And we’ve become more confident in that regard. We’ve started to realize that what we’re doing is coherent, that it works, and that it's okay the way it is. I think that was the biggest success that came out of it for us as artists. And on a personal level, recording an album, being on the road the whole time and getting to know so many new people and taking in so many new impressions – that’s priceless and was absolutely amazing.

What’s your favorite song from your new album?

Carlo: "Heißluftballon".

Tobi: For me, I think it’s "Gewitter".

Laura: Why?

Carlo: I think “Heißluftballon” is just the most free-spirited track. It was clear that it won’t be released as a single and it was clear it wouldn’t be a hit. I mean it hasn’t come out yet, but I am not sure if it will really appeal to a lot of people.

Tobi: It's basically the outro of the album.

Carlo: But it's just an awesome song anyway. I think it paints a beautiful picture of getting over things. And it’s kind of nice. I think "Heißluftballon" is kind of awesome – it’s a great track and well done.

Tobi: For me, I think it’s "Gewitter" because I like playing it live. We’ve been playing it live for a while now at festivals and stuff, and it’s just the most fun to play for me. It has so many parts that just feel good.

Carlo: For me, it’s just super exhausting. (laughs.)

Is there a song you’re particularly proud of? Or a specific part of one?

Carlo: Well, "Heißluftballon" is awesome to me because the song paints such a beautiful picture and I don’t usually do that very well in my lyrics. I don’t usually paint a beautiful picture – I tend to write a lot of chaotic stuff instead. Other than that, "der Himmel brennt in Europa", specifically the first verse, turned out pretty good, too. It kind of conveys that sense of breathlessness, and it actually rhymes a little bit. That’s always a problem for me – getting things to rhyme. (laughs.) Yeah, I think those two are pretty good but of course the rest, too.

Tobi: I really love "Angst vor der Zukunft". The part with the line 'Wenn das alles mal vorbeigeht, dann bleiben nur wir zwei' [When all of this is over, it'll only be the two of us] – I don’t know, it has a slightly apocalyptic yet somehow still positive vibe. It really touches me.

I’ve already heard from more than one person that you’re also incredible live. What’s your favorite song to play live? Tobi, didn’t you say it’s "Gewitter" for you?

Tobi: Yes!

Carlo: "Narzissen" is awesome. It’s rocky and fast. Also, more at the end of the set when things really ramp up again. And a blues number, they always play this one without me unfortunately. Tobi plays a sick solo on that one. That one’s awesome too.

Tobi: What sets us apart in general is that we change songs a bit when we play them live and always try to come up with parts that only exist in a live setting. A little something for the crowd – something you can only experience when you’re there.

You’ve already played a lot of shows this year – for Ennio, Betterov, and Sportfreunde Stiller, for example. Is there a special favorite moment or memory from that time? Anything that really stuck with you?

Carlo: The Berlin afterparty. (both laugh.)

Tobi: For me, it was Zenith in Munich with Ennio. That was pretty wild. There were 5,000–6,000 people there. Before that, for our tour – we’re going on tour this fall – we’d sold maybe ten tickets or so. And two weeks after that concert, the show was sold out. That’s pretty wild. At that concert, I felt like that’s where we really connected with the audience the most. We reached a lot of new people there which is really nice.

Laura: So you always need a little time, peace and quiet to process everything that’s been happening?

Carlo: Exactly. But you never really get any peace. It’s hard because you don’t even realize how much you’ve already accomplished. All those little milestones you were still dreaming about two years ago. Now you’ve already achieved so much, so many baby steps – that you don’t really notice it amid the whirlwind of everything that’s going on. It’s a lot. I think that takes a lot more time than just going on a three-week trip. Perhaps it’s actually good not to think about it too much. Less pressure, maybe.

Is there one thing you definitely want to hold onto as a band or personally? Now that you’re getting bigger, of course you automatically change. So, one thing you’d like to hold onto – like continuing to value small things?

Carlo: Yeah, I think keeping our feet on the ground would be the most important thing. I mean, we’re not pop stars yet, but that’s just how you grow. I think it’s also good that we’re growing so organically. If you suddenly become a pop star overnight like others do – if you just get big really fast, it can be overwhelmingly stressful. For us, it’s definitely a bit more laid-back in that regard, because we’ve been growing so organically over these past two and a half years. It’s just been a quick but organic growth – faster than others, sure – but because of that, I think we also have more time to a least make sense of it all a little bit. But I think, in general, the most important thing is to stay down to earth and not start thinking we’re better than anyone else.

Tobi: I also think it’s about the little things, just like you said. Appreciating things and not kind of isolating yourself in this movie [that we're living in]. We’re not exactly pop stars or anything. But still trying to appreciate the little things and staying connected to normal life, and not just think you’re some kind of super-rock star now. Mick Jagger said that once – we just listened to that interview. That you tend to just hang out with people from the scene and kind of stick to your own circle and then lose touch with reality.

Carlo: You just have to look at our bank account. That’s anything but pop star material. (laughs.)

Tobi: Exactly. (laughs.) But yeah, that would actually be the most important thing to me if things ever stopped looking that way.

Carlo: And not always wearing sunglasses, either. I mean, a lot of people are always wearing sunglasses, even indoors. That’s a little embarrassing. With some people it’s cool, though – like with Franz/BIBIZA – it’s cool. But if we were always wearing sunglasses like that …

Tobi: That would be really weird.

What do you like most about being in a band?

Carlo: I think it’s cool that you’re not alone. I could never do this on my own. First of all, because I’m not nearly as talented, and second, because when there are five of us, we can handle everything together and celebrate all the good stuff together. But we also share the setbacks and the not-so-great stuff as a band, and I think that’s the best part. And I couldn’t imagine it any other way. It’s also awesome that there are five of us. That’s a lot. A family. Like Mom, Dad and three kids. Or Dad and Dad.

Laura: And who’s who? (laughs.)

Carlo: Georg is definitely the dad. And Paul’s a dad, too. Tobi is the youngest son, Alex is the adopted son, and I’m the oldest.

Laura: Why adopted son?

Carlo: Because he doesn’t look much like Tobi and me. Tobi and I actually look a bit like brothers. But Alex does, too, actually. (laughs.)

Is there a funny or chaotic moment you’ve experienced together as a band? One that immediately comes to mind?

Carlo: Nothing specific right now. But it’s just like being on a school trip the whole time. That’s what most bands always say and that’s the best way to describe it. You’re just with your friends, and a photographer, too. They’re all your friends, and then there’s the tour manager and so on. It’s just a bus full of people who are super hyped, and everything’s funny, and somehow nothing really matters in the end.

Tobi: A lot of funny stuff does happen – the whole thing is one big joke. That’s why we can't just say off the top of our heads, "This is the story." Because there are just so many of them, in a way.

Are there any singers or bands you’d like to collaborate with?

Tobi: Realistic or unrealistic?

Laura: It doesn’t matter if it’s realistic or unrealistic – who knows, maybe it'll become realistic someday!

Carlo: I think German-language music is totally cool. The further away it is from our genre, the cooler it is. We just did something with Lena&Linus. It’s going to be on this album. It’s going to be so awesome. Those two are super cool, too. I think, looking ahead, we’re totally open to experimenting. If you take something unrealistic – something that would never happen – then an artist like Olivia Dean or something, that would be insane. Or a band like the Rolling Stones – which, obviously, would never work out that way. But that would be so crazy, like a fever dream, but it’s not going to happen anyway. (laughs.)

Laura: If it ever does happen, you’ll have to look back on this interview. (laughs.)

Carlo: But it’s not supposed to happen, because Olivia Dean should definitely be making music with other people, and that’s a good thing. I’m actually a big fan of that not happening. Otherwise, in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, we’re open to it. I don’t have anyone specific in mind. Something unexpected. With The Spooners! [Tobi’s] dad’s band. (both laugh.) That would be awesome, that would be my dream collaboration.

Do you both come from families of musicians?

Tobi: Actually, a lot of us do. My dad plays in a cover band, and we have a rehearsal space in the basement. That’s where I started playing guitar, and where I formed a band with my friends and we just rehearsed. And back then, I was always listening to my dad, and that kind of influenced me to do it, too. Because I just thought it was cool.

Carlo: Yeah, three out of the five of us. My dad and mom introduced me to a lot of music, but they aren’t musicians themselves. My dad just played a little guitar here and there. They've been really supportive – especially my mom, who made sure I was always learning instruments. I really have a lot to thank her for.

Is there a venue where you'd love to play someday? It can even be unrealistic!

Tobi: Wiener Stadthalle.

Carlo: Yeah, Stadthalle in Vienna, that would definitely be our goal.

Do you have a wish or do you like to say "We’d absolutely love to tour the U.S. or somewhere like that and play at some venue there?" Or is that something you don’t really aspire to because you make German music?

Carlo: That’s more of an ego thing, if you do that. But if we somehow start touring internationally through cities that aren’t really into it, then you could say bringing our culture somewhere else is pretty cool, too. But I think that’s also just a bit for yourself, you know? And I think we should have a bit of success here first before we go even further away. (laughs.)

You already mentioned it briefly earlier – this fall, your "Muss ich unbedingt verpassen" tour kicks off with shows in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Is there a city you’re looking forward to most?

Laura: So, do you guys party after every show?

Carlo: No, I don’t think that’s even possible. Especially because your voice gives out.

Tobi: You always get so tired after every concert. And we always hit the road right away. The distances on tour aren’t that long anyway, because thankfully the routing is well-planned. But you still have to drive about four or five hours.

Carlo: Well, it’s not that bad. I mean, we’re not like football teams. We still get to experience a lot. We don’t have to get up every day and be in top shape right away like Marcel Hirscher. We can chill out, too. You can sleep on the bus, after all. (laughs.)

Tobi: Yeah, sure, but we still have to get going. And don’t you dare sleep through the whole thing. (laughs.)

Do you have a specific ritual before every show?

Carlo: We give each other a hug. We talk a little bit about the show, and then we yell and high-five each other.

Laura: What do you yell?

Carlo: Ahhh.

Laura: (laughs.) So, just to get pumped up a little?

Carlo: Yeah, just to get fired up a bit.

Is there anything else your fans should know about your new album?

Carlo: I think it’s an honest album, which is really cool. Honest music. (laughs.) It tells a story. Oh, and listen to it from start to finish! I think most people who make an album say that. I think it’s awesome when you really listen to an album from start to finish. And have fun!

Tobi: I’ll just go along with that. (laughs.)

Perfect! We have an artist recommendation playlist where we collect songs that the artists we interview like to listen to. Would you like to add any songs?

Carlo: "I Think Of You" by Rodríguez.

Laura: Wow, you were really quick. Is that your favorite song?

Carlo: Best song in the world! (laughs.) Yeah, I think so. If I had to pick one, it'd be that one.

Tobi: "Something Holy (live at Funkhaus)" by Alice Phoebe Lou.

Thank you both for taking the time to talk with us today. Best of luck with your tour and your debut album!

WANT MORE OF CORDOBA78? LISTEN TO THEIR NEW ALBUM HERE:

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