As the snow begins to fall and festive lights flicker across frosted windows, Austrian collective Soul de Vienne return with a timely gift, 'The Magic of Christmas', a radiant new single that captures the season’s quiet beauty and emotional depth. Led by composer and producer Roman Schleischitz, the genre-blending ensemble tap into soul, jazz, pop, and funk to create something both timeless and tender.
At its heart lies a simple, powerful message: “The magic of Christmas began with you.” Delivered with rich instrumentation, warm brass, and a soulful vocal performance, the track evokes those snow-globe moments of connection, the kind that make the season unforgettable.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with Roman Schleischitz to talk about his influences and what has inspired him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The flugelhorn. In my local brass band I always wanted to play a melody instrument, but I actually started on the alto horn — purely a supporting voice. At the same time, the organ was deeply rooted in my heart. I still remember the TV commercials for the Bontempi home organ. I wanted it so desperately as a child, but never got one. Maybe that unfulfilled longing is what later sparked so much inside me.
I eventually caught up on everything: Hammond organ, electric piano, a pipe organ in my living room, and even my own custom-built cornet — a Schagerl Bb Cornet “Raweni” made specifically for me. Later came jazz piano studies at the Vienna Conservatory and church music at the Archdiocesan Conservatory in Vienna.
Jimmy Smith, Barbara Dennerlein, Maynard Ferguson, Miles Davis… Those were my wild years at the Jazzpub Wiesen — nights full of energy, inspiration, and musical freedom. The flugelhorn was the first spark, but the keyboard instruments carried the story forward.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Very early on, jazz and Afro-jazz — strongly shaped by the Jazz Pub in Wiesen, which felt like a musical gateway to the world. Later, reggae and Afrobeat entered my life through the local reggae club.
I always loved music that lives, that moves, that feels human — warm, rhythmic, soulful. At the same time, I was a huge Queen fan in high school — that was the music I could share with my classmates.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The Game by Queen. The energy, the melodies, the storytelling — it electrified me as a child. Queen taught me early on that music can be bold, emotional, and larger than life.
What is the one song you wish you had written yourself?
“Move It On Up” by Airto Moreira and Flora Purim — it carries a spiritual, almost shamanic energy that still moves me. And “Witchi Tai To” by Jim Pepper — a piece with something ancient and universally human in it. Both songs embody a freedom I often seek in my own music.
Do you have any habits or rituals when you try to write new music?
I almost always start with lyrics. Words give me direction — an atmosphere, an emotion, a picture. While writing, I already hear small melodic fragments in my head, which I then try out on the piano or organ. Sometimes I add synths if I’m looking for a specific colour. It’s a very intuitive, very personal process: The story comes first — the music breathes itself into it.
Which artists are you listening to the most at the moment?
Right now: Matt Maeson, Olivia Dean, and Lizzo. I love artists who combine emotional clarity with modern production — strong voices with real heart.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I would love to open for a strong female artist — someone who can embody both strength and vulnerability. Also with my wife and two daughters in mind, that means a lot to me.
Alicia Keys would be perfect. Her universe — piano, soul, warmth, storytelling — is very close to what I aim to create with Soul de Vienne. Her ability to combine empathy and empowerment inspires me deeply.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
When I feel that a song genuinely touches someone. Often that happens even earlier — during recording sessions with my fellow musicians. I can see immediately when a piece reaches something inside Gwen or Andrea, and those moments are magical to me.
Music is a bridge. When someone later tells me that they found themselves in a melody, a voice, or even a single harmonic moment, I know why I make music.
And what is the most frustrating part?
How difficult it is to reach a lot of people. We work with heart and dedication, but the music business often follows completely different rules than the art itself. It requires patience, persistence, and sometimes a thicker skin than you’d like to have.
What is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
“Write music you can feel yourself — everything else fades.” This sentence has stayed with me for years. It keeps me honest — and reminds me that authenticity is the strongest currency of all.
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Soul de Vienne's new single 'The Magic Of Christmas' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.