How did you get into music, and what was it about electronic music that appealed to you?

Joyce Muniz: Music has always been present in my life, starting with my childhood in Brazil, since most of my mother’s side of the family were percussionists. I came to Austria when electronic music was making a major breakthrough in the city, and of course as a teenager I got involved in the club scene through friends and acquaintances – discovering my love of music and, above all, bass! It was only a question of time before I bought my first records, and soon enough I came up with the idea to start creating my own sounds.

How did you get into music, and what was it about classical music that appealed to you?

Thilo Fechner: My parents are musicians. They never forced me to practice, so I never practiced for more than ten minutes a day. When I was 12, I began making electronic music in the cellar of my parents’ house. After graduating from high school when I was 18, I suddenly discovered classical music for myself, and started practicing a minimum of ten hours a day. Then I went to America to study. From that point on I have never asked myself whether I might prefer to do something else.

You were born in Brazil. Why do you now live in Vienna?

Joyce Muniz: I came to Vienna with my parents – nothing spectacular I’m afraid.

You were born in Germany. Why do you now live in Vienna?

Thilo Fechner: Vienna is the best city for musicians. It always has been. Coming into contact with music and musicians is simply part of life here, and that’s unique.

For you, music and Vienna is like...

Joyce Muniz: ...life in the forest. There is total silence, but then as soon as something happens, it’s unmissable.

Thilo Fechner: ...the beach and sunshine.

What do you like about “musical Vienna”?

Joyce Muniz: While Vienna is pretty small, there’s a great variety of music out there happily hiding in the underground. It takes some looking for, but as soon as you find it, the reward is often fantastic.

Thilo Fechner: Opera premieres are the talk of the town, people with instrument cases are part of the urban landscape, and toilets that play waltz music make tourists happy.

Describe your perfect day in Vienna.

Joyce Muniz: I’m a late riser and love it that I can still get brunch after 12. After that my favorite thing is to take advantage of the good fortune we have in Vienna, grab my dog and head straight for the woods surrounding the city, to give my head some space and get away from the everyday.

Thilo Fechner: In the morning, riding my racing bike from the city center into the Vienna woods. Breakfast at Joseph Brot on the way there. After the bike ride, a pitstop at Motto am Fluss. Then an hour’s practice – free from stress. In the afternoon, a visit to one of the more than 100 museums in Vienna. A session in the gym before dinner, at John Harris on Schillerplatz (in our line of work, physical fitness is very important). Then dinner at Artner in the Wieden district, followed by a drink at Heuer at the Kunsthalle Wien Karlspatz.

What would you say is an absolute must in Vienna?

Joyce Muniz: A walk through the city center at night, ideally in summer.

Thilo Fechner: A long stroll in the first district, to take in the unique architecture.

It’s Saturday night and you’re going out. How do you spend the evening?

Joyce Muniz: On Saturday nights I’m rarely at home, because I’m usually working. If I’m in Vienna, ideally I’ll spend my evening at home with friends and family. Since I love cooking I’ll prepare the food myself. Often the evening will end with a visit to the theater or in a bar – Vienna has lots to offer besides the club scene.

Thilo Fechner: Unfortunately, I always have to play on a Saturday evening.

Do you ever go to classical concerts?

Joyce Muniz: I love live music and concerts, but most likely you won’t see me at a classical concert, since I prefer jazz, soul and bossa nova.

Do you sometimes go to clubs?

Thilo Fechner: Those days are long gone now. It’s so loud in the orchestra pit that quiet has become a great luxury for me.

And finally –
Your top restaurants

Joyce Muniz:

• Skopik & Lohn
• Nihonbashi

Thilo Fechner:

• Ghisallo on Schönbrunner Strasse: a unique restaurant – a mixture of an Italian bar and bicycle boutique
• KIM
• Vietthao

Your top three tips for going out

Joyce Muniz:

• Sass Music Club
• DonauTechno
• Grelle Forelle

Thilo Fechner: Unfortunately, I work in the evenings. But when I still have plenty of energy, I go to

• Heuer at the Kunsthalle Wien Karlspatz or the
• Porgy & Bess

Your top three favorite places

Joyce Muniz:

• Alte Donau
• Cobenzl
• Augarten

Thilo Fechner:

• The Danube Island and the Lobau
• Sleepy spots in the second district
• Landtmann’s Jausen Station, a hidden café in Schönbrunn Palace Gardens

Text: Angelika Öttl