Bavarian band

Stehmaß

Traditional music · Yodels · Oktoberfest party

Energetic Bavarian music, authentic yodels and real Oktoberfest feeling – Stehmaß brings the Wiesn sound to stages in Bavaria, Japan and all around the world.

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About

Stehmaß – Bavarian music with a twist

After many years at the Munich Oktoberfest and around fifty tours all over the world, it was time for something new for Martin Kurz from Prien. On his travels he met the musician Andi Starek from Erding – the idea of making music together was born. Today the band Stehmaß consists of Martin, Andi and the Chiemgau musicians Peter Anner from Rottau and Jakob Kaufmann from Hemhof.

Martin and Jakob share a long musical friendship dating back to their time with the Oberkrainer group “d’ lustigen Gederer”. Together with Jakob’s cousin Peter they later performed for several years as the “Trio Larifari” in the style of the Zillertaler Schürzenjäger.

The Stehmaß-Musi is only complete with drummer Lukas Bichlmaier, who has already performed together with Andi in Hot Sugar, as well as with singer Ria (Maria) Reiser from Mainburg.

The name “Stehmaß” is a humorous play on words, inspired by the Japanese expression Stemaska - “Do you know them?”. The band is easily recognized by their yellow-white leg warmers (Loiferl) hand-knitted in the Chiemgau region, reminiscent of a traditional beer mug.

After successful shows in Bavaria the band received a special invitation: representing “Invest in Bavaria”, an initiative of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Stehmaß performed at the Bavarian-Japanese Friendship Weekend at the German Pavilion during the Expo in Osaka - with three-part yodels and a full Oktoberfest party program.

Band

Meet the musicians

Andi Starek

Andi Starek – “Andisan”

Vocals, guitar & entertainment

As a founding member of the band “Münchner G’schichten” Andi played more than 1200 shows worldwide – including performances at the Munich Oktoberfest in the famous Hofbräu festival tent. With his party band “Hot Sugar” and as a guest musician he toured Germany, Europe, America, Africa and Asia.

In 2008 Andisan released his first Bavarian-Japanese single “Konnichiwa”, a typical Oktoberfest party hit that is now played by many bands at Oktoberfest events in Japan. Together with Adi Kihara from Tokyo he founded the band “Tokio Spitzbuam” in 2017.

Martin Kurz

Martin Kurz

Vocals, baritone, bass guitar

As a teenager Martin started out with the Oberkrainer sound in the band “The Funny Gederer”. Together with Jak Kaufmann the quintet performed at countless beer tents and dance events. After 14 successful years they founded the trio “Larifari” in the style of the Zillertal Schürzenjäger.

In 1995, Martin joined the Karolinenfelder and performed in brass music and big band settings, including appearances at the “Kleine Wiesn” during the Rosenheim Autumn Festival. In 2006, he became a member of the Oktoberfest band Die Kirchdorfer. More than 50 tours took him around the world, including several trips to Japan.

Jakob Kaufmann

Jakob “Jak” Kaufmann

Vocals, guitar

Jak’s musical career started in early childhood – his father was a musician himself. Inspired by the live TV broadcast “Elvis Presley – Aloha from Hawaii” he became a passionate Elvis fan. At the age of 13 he performed with his brother in the band “Arribas” at various events.

As an Elvis impersonator he won several talent contests. In 1979 he co-founded the band “The Funny Gederer” and led the quintet for 16 successful years. Later he formed the trio “Larifari” with Martin and Peter. Since 2000 he has been performing with the “Bergfexn Trio”, providing live music for numerous events.

Peter Anner

Peter Anner

Accordion, keyboard, vocals

Peter started his musical journey at the age of 15, performing together with his father Peter and his sister Irmi. For about 15 years the “Anner Trio” played weddings, carnival balls and many other events all across Bavaria. Peter played accordion, baritone and electric bass.

Later he founded the trio “Larifari” together with Martin and Jakob, where he played accordion, keyboard and contributed the third vocal part. Peter has also worked as a guest musician with well-known groups such as the “Bergfexn”, the “Reblaus Trio” and “The Evergreens”. Besides party music, he passionately plays church organ throughout the Chiemgau region.

Lukas Bichlmaier

Lukas Bichlmaier

Drums

Lukas’ musical journey began at the age of six on the drums and led him to his first youth band at thirteen. At seventeen, he gained additional stage experience in a folk-festival party band. Today, he performs with his own band, captivating audiences with an energetic mix of Oktoberfest party hits as well as pop and rock classics. Since this year, Oberkrainer music has also become a fixed part of his repertoire. With passion, energy, and genuine joy in playing, he brings great atmosphere to every event.

Ria Reiser

Ria (Maria) Reiser

Vocals & yodels

Ria Reiser is from the Hallertau, the famous hop-growing region in Lower Bavaria. She grew up surrounded by folk music and learned to sing and yodel at an early age (including training in Switzerland), as well as to play several instruments such as guitar, piano, drums, and accordion. As a young artist she wrote her own songs and toured California in 2010 – performing at venues such as the Red Lion Tavern, Alpine Village, and the Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas.

After returning to Germany, she founded her project “Bavarian Jodel-Pop” in 2012. For her longstanding work in dialect music, she received the Bavarian Dialect Award in 2023. Today, RiA combines traditional Bavarian yodel and folk elements with modern pop music. She loves performing on stage with Stehmaß and inspiring an international audience with Bavarian music.

Contact

Booking & inquiries

For booking requests, press inquiries or general questions, feel free to contact us via e-mail. We’re happy to bring Bavarian Oktoberfest feeling to your event – in Bavaria, Japan or anywhere in between.

E-mail
kontakt@stehmass-musi.de

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Please include date, location and type of event (e.g. corporate party, Oktoberfest event, festival, Japan event) in your message. We will get back to you with further details as soon as possible.

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