GET TO KNOW: Soul de Vienne

At the intersection of soul, jazz, funk, and pop lies Soul de Vienne, a genre-defying collective led by Austrian composer and producer Roman Schleischitz. With their newest single 'Stop Being Blind', the group takes their signature cinematic sound and infuses it with hard-won wisdom, emotional depth, and a message that cuts to the heart: sometimes the greatest act of love is learning when to walk away.

Built on live instrumentation, swelling brass, warm Rhodes keys, and heartfelt vocal performances, 'Stop Being Blind' is both a sonic triumph and a personal reckoning. It’s about love returning in familiar disguise, and the inner strength it takes not to fall for it again.

What started as a solo project has blossomed into a full-scale collaborative effort, bringing together some of Austria’s finest musicians and drawing from Schleischitz’s background in classical and jazz piano.

We sat down with Roman Schleischitz to discuss what have been his biggest influences over the years.

What was the first band or artist you fell in love with? 

Queen — without a doubt. I still remember listening to The Game on vinyl as a kid, completely mesmerized by that mix of power and melody. It was my first experience of how music can be both theatrical and deeply human at the same time. Freddie Mercury taught me that emotion can live inside every note.

Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like? 

Yes, several. I started out playing in small jazz and pop bands — later in cover projects — always searching for that magic balance between words and sound. Those early years taught me what music truly is: not perfection, but emotion made audible.

What has been your primary inspiration in writing music? 

The power of words — and the honesty behind them. For me, music is a language of emotion. It allows us to express what can’t be said in ordinary speech. Every song begins with a real story, a feeling that insists on being transformed into sound.

What is a song you wish you had written yourself? 

A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke. It’s a masterpiece of truth and vulnerability — full of pain, dignity, and hope. It reminds me that music can change the emotional temperature of the world.

If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be? 

The first time an audience sang along to one of my own songs. That moment when you realize that something born in silence has become part of other people’s lives — that’s magic you never forget.

Which artist would you most love to share a stage with? 

Anderson .Paak. His energy and groove are contagious, but beneath that joy, there’s always musical depth. Sharing a stage with someone like that would be pure flow.

And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well? 

Alicia Keys. She embodies everything I admire — authenticity, soul, and strength. I think our musical worlds could merge beautifully: real instruments, warm harmonies, and messages that matter.

Where do you see yourself in five years time? 

In five years, I want Soul de Vienne to be more than recognized — I want it to be felt. A symbol of musical integrity and human connection. Music that doesn’t follow trends but speaks truth. Songs that remind people of their own depth, of empathy, of what it means to be human. That’s the purpose — to create something real enough to last.

Listen to Soul de Vienne's new single 'Stop Being Blind' below.