QMA On Stage 2025

For the sixth edition of QMA On Stage we teamed up with Fiakka Studios again and hosted a five day music residency. The winning acts each had their own recording studio at their disposal and worked on an insane amount of new tracks. The QMA team together with the Fiakks Studios team invited a bunch of producers to work with and mentors from music industry to share their knowledge with them. All participating musicians received various prizes to them, sponsored by a big variety of different creatives that want to support these promising musicians who recently moved to Vienna to find an entry in the Austrian music scene.

 

(c) Xenia Snapiro

 

The winning acts

 

Ozaii

An Afro-fusion artist based in Vienna, Ozaii has roots from Nigeria. Ozaii sounds originated from combining elements of Afrobeats, Dancehall, Reggae & Hip Hop to pull the listener in for a sound like never before. A deep connection between the beat & the lyrics creates a memorable rhyme that not just teaches the listener but also creates an earworm in its listener’s ears.
Watch a video interview with Ozaiil here.
Photo by XX

YB Pizzy

YB Pizzy is an international music act based in Europe. Hailing from Benin City, Nigeria, his unique blend of genres and easy-to-comprehend rap flows make him stand out. From Hip-hop to drill to Afrobeats and Dancehall, YB Pizzy has you covered. With his aim of just being able to create music without any borders, Pizzy is certainly one to watch out for in the future because there’s a bit of something in his songs for everyone
Watch a video interview with YB Pizzy here.
Photo by XX

NAZARY

Nazary is a singer-songwriter based in Vienna but born in Ukraine, who blends emotional alt-pop with cinematic and minimalist elements. Currently working on his debut releases and upcoming EP-album, set to be released this year, he turns personal stories into powerful songs. An experienced vocal coach, Nazary is now fully following his dream as a solo artist.
Watch a video interview with NAZARYI here.
Photo by XX

The jury

 

# Julia Chovookkaran aka Chovo
Chovo is a Viennese singer and songwriter who herself was once a participant of QMA On Stage in 2023. Since then, she has released her very first album, won the FM4 Protest Song Contest, and made her Germany debut at Unreleased Berlin. The singer and songwriter wants to encourage others to believe in their dreams.

# Oliver Cortez aka Osive
Osive invites you into a realm of musical exploration where synthesizer sounds intertwine with organic rhythms. He navigates the boundaries of music from laid-back Lofi to captivating basslines and pulsating dance and electronic beats. In July 2023, Osive released his first edit pack, featuring 10 Edits across genres like Hip Hop, R&B, afrobeats, amapiano, trap, UK garage, grime, and bass music.

# Ines Fernau
Ines is co-CEO and head of marketing at Cute Concerts, a concert promoter based in Vienna. Prior she took care of public relations at radio FM4, was part of the Barracuda Music marketing team for many years after starting out and learning a lot at the Donaufestival in Krems.

 
 

The prizes awarded

# CONNECT 2 Interface from LEWITT
# Condenser Microphone LCT 440 PURE from LEWITT
# Space Replicator Plugin by LEWITT
# Single Mastering by Alex Vatagin
# Single Masterings by Victor Steinacher

Invited producers

 

# Christoh
# Felis
# Thomas Böck
# Suluka

 
 

Invited music industry professionals

 

# Susi Schwarz (Susi Schwarz PR)
# Sophia von Mersi (Cute Concerts)
# Johann Redl (O-Sounds)
# Mwita Mataro (At Pavillon, Austroschwarz)
# Nuri Nurbachsch (am Leben)
# Bettina Schöll (Öst. Musikfonds)

Photos from the music residency

 

All photos by Sattva Caru, Giacosa