Henrik Freischlader

Henrik Freischlader

Henrik Freischlader is a German blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, born in 1982 and associated with Köln, Germany. He starts out as a blues musician in his teenage years, playing in bands including Lash and Bluescream before forming the Henrik Freischlader Band in 2004.

Career

His first album, The Blues, appears in 2006, followed by Get Closer in 2007 and the live release Henrik Freischlader Band Live in 2008. In 2009 he releases Recorded by Martin Meinschäfer, a studio album on which he plays all instruments, including guitars, bass guitar, drums, percussion and Hammond organ. He also writes the songs and lyrics, produces the record, and issues it on his own label, Cable Car Records.

In 2010 he releases Tour 2010 Live after touring Germany, Austria and Switzerland. His 2011 album Still Frame Replay again features him playing most of the instruments, with Moritz Fuhrhop on Hammond organ and Max Klaas on percussion. Joe Bonamassa contributes the guitar solo on the title track.

Style and musicianship

Freischlader’s music is rooted in blues, but it also draws on rock, jazz, soul and funk. His guitar playing is influenced by Gary Moore, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, Peter Green, Albert Collins and Albert King. He also teaches himself drums, bass guitar, guitar and other instruments. As a player he uses fingerpicking and a thick Tortex pick, along with a small number of effects pedals and D'Addario strings.

Band work and live activity

He performs with his band across Europe. At one point the line-up includes Theofilos Fotiadis on bass guitar and backing vocals, Björn Krüger on drums and backing vocals, and Moritz “Mo” Fuhrhop on Hammond organ. In 2012 the Henrik Freischlader Band releases House in the Woods, recorded live by the four band members at Megaphon Tonstudios with additional vocal recordings, and follows this with touring in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, the Netherlands and Belgium. Scheduled shows also include the UK, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Equipment and associations

Since his first album he uses Realtone amplifiers, a partnership that leads to a Henrik Freischlader signature amp. His main guitar is a Haar Stratocaster copy in sunburst finish with a Fender decal on the headstock, and he also uses various Gibson Les Pauls. He supports or appears alongside artists including Joe Bonamassa, B.B. King, Gary Moore, Peter Green and Johnny Winter.