Christian Hummer was immortal from the first note. Whoever put on Wanda’s debut album in 2014 knew that. On AMORE, the keyboardist only appeared as a co-author of a single song: “Bleib wo du warst”. But it was “Bologna”, the band’s early moment of glory, in which Hummer also immortalized himself: With these mighty piano chords that tear your heart into other spheres right at the beginning.
Christian could do that. His swabs of sound turned songs into cathedrals: the melancholy intro of “Gebenlassene Wein Flaschen”, the driving synth in “Gib mir alles”. Or his voice. On the fourth album CIAO! Singer his own composition “Maybe”: “I’m trying exaggeratedly to give my life meaning.” Now this life has come to an end much too soon. At the age of 32, Christian Hummer died “after a long, serious illness”. That’s what it says on Wanda’s Facebook page.
I met Christian in 2015. I was supposed to write a report about Wanda for the Musikexpress. It was one of those rare pop culture moments when almost everyone could agree on a band. The Viennese caused quite a buzz with AMORE. Like the Hulk when he’s bursting at the seams with anger, Wanda had suddenly outgrown the basement bars where they’d just been playing for a sandwich. Something was in the air, euphoria surrounded her. It was a job every music journalist dreams of: three days on tour with five wild dogs.
I had the greatest respect for Christian. What a guy! Tall, steel blue eyes, intimidatingly handsome. But his gentle nature made up for it all. It didn’t really fit the band’s leather jacket image. He listened carefully, patiently and wisely answering my many questions. All of this was new to him too. The success was not yet tangible, the tour felt a bit like a school trip. After an acclaimed concert in Bielefeld, Christian and guitarist Manuel Poppe fooled around at the merch stand. They quoted scenes from the Austrian cult show “Everyday Stories”. for minutes. As she did so, she burst out laughing. Two Viennese boys in the wide world.
Christian Hummer could have imagined life without Wanda
That was probably the most carefree time. Then came the stadiums. The third Wanda album bore the nihilistic title NIENTE, the band members were transparent on the cover – and Christian actually seemed to fade more and more. Sometimes he was at concerts, sometimes not. The reasons remained unknown, the band wrapped itself in silence. Today we know that his health was not good. In 2020 he underwent heart surgery.
Christian told me during our first conversation that he could have imagined life without Wanda. As a music teacher maybe. He loved Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder, played Mozart and Beethoven on the piano, painted and drew. In his last years, he seemed to be exploring this other life more and more: he founded the Radio International label and produced newcomers like Antonio Rampazzo. Founded his own band with the adorable name LoeweLoewe. Vocals and guitar: Christian Hummer. Two promising singles. Unfortunately, there will no longer be an album.
Earlier this year I heard his voice on Mariahilferstrasse in Vienna. At first I couldn’t place the friendly hello. Then his eyes met mine. Those steel blue eyes. And I got a fright. That was Christian. I almost didn’t recognize him. He had become terribly thin. I didn’t dare ask if he was okay. This encounter was too fleeting. And too intimate the question. We didn’t really know each other, although he’d always treated me as cordially as if I were a good friend. Also on this day on Mariahilferstraße. He invited me to the next Radio International label party. After that I didn’t see him again. I would have liked to have become his friend.
Wanda’s fifth album WANDA will be released on September 30, 2022. All planned activities, including the release party at Berlin’s Badehaus, have been cancelled.