Chat with Shmiffy: Quirky Guitar Riffs

Shmiffy’s world is simple. It’s filled with sweet and quirky guitar riffs, rebellious alt-rock vibes, and lyrics that are pretty straightforward.

She started playing guitar when she was just a little Shmiffy and wrote songs nonstop throughout her teenage years. With her debut release, the EP “Blood, Shred & Tears” (release date: September 2024), the alt-rock newcomer from Austria caught the attention of Vienna’s local music scene and sold out her first headlining show!

One year later, Shmiffy is ready for the next chapter: a new EP titled “Riff, Laugh, Love” (Release Date: November 28, 2025). This time, the positive response to her first EP, “Blood, Shred & Tears,” has made her more confident in her approach to her own music. Nevertheless, she remains true to her alt-rock vibes and guitar-driven sound.

Writing lyrics about the struggles of growing up, “perfect world” scenarios, and other topics that 20-somethings grapple with is her thing. Probably because she’s going through them herself right now.
So if you’re a fan of 2000s rock bands like Weezer, Fall Out Boy, or Paramore, Shmiffy might just be exactly what your ears have been looking for.

Chat… with Shmiffy!

Athenscalling.gr: Welcome dear Shmiffy to Athenscalling.gr and, as we begin the intrview, we have to say that on your new EP “Riff, Laugh, Love” we can sense much more confidence in your playing. Did something change inside you between the days of “Blood, Shred & Tears” and today?

Shmiffy: So “Blood, Shred & Tears” was my very first EP that I ever released for my, then new, project Shmiffy. It was something I’ve never done before – I just didn’t know what to expect. Will people like it? Will they hate it? But I was surprised, that I got such a positive response from the listeners and even some radio stations. So I guess I carried that confidence into my next EP “Riff, Laugh, Love” .

Athenscalling.gr: Your very interesting lyrics speak a lot about adulthood and the struggles of being in your twenties. How personal are the stories you write about?

Shmiffy: Oh they’re very real. I still go through weird situations that I feel like only happen to you in your twenties or maybe you experience them for the first time in your twenties. I gotta say though, I think, the lyrics from my latest EP “Riff, Laugh, Love” are even more personal, deeper and maybe a bit darker. It honestly was a first for me to write lyrics that are THIS personal.

Athenscalling.gr: So, what are the beliefs and ideals of your twenties?
Shmiffy: I think I’m still trying to figure that out – Maybe that’s the purpose of your twenties.
To go through some new stuff and figure out who you are as a person & come to peace with that.

Athenscalling.gr: Listening to your music, someone can clearly notice strong influences from 2000s alternative rock and the “poet” asks… Tell us Shmiffy, which bands or artists have influenced you the most while writing your songs?

Shmiffy: Definitely Fall Out Boy: Musically & lyrically. To me that band is just genius – I just love how many cool musical influences they have in their songs & don’t even get me started on the amazing lyrics they write. A big influence guitar and songwriting-wise was definitely John Mayer – Learned so much by just watching his live performances & trying to cover his songs.

Athenscalling.gr: You started writing music at a very young age. Do you remember how you felt when you wrote your very first song?

Shmiffy: I think I was around 13 (?) when I wrote my first song – I felt very proud and in that moment I thought “Wow if you can do that, you can do anything!”

Athenscalling.gr: And since we are talking about the past… What was the first album you ever bought and how old were you at the time?
Shmiffy: It was the greatest hits compilation by Fall Out Boy called “Believers Never Die”.
I think I was 11.

Athenscalling.gr: On Thursday, June 11, we will have the chance to enjoy your performance on the Red Stage of the NOVA ROCK FESTIVAL in front of a huge audience. What can fans expect from your live show?
Shmiffy: I’m so excited for this show – really looking forward! I honestly hope I won’t be too nervous because I really wanna enjoy every minute of it. The opener slot is never easy, but my band and I will definitely do everything we can to win the crowd over. You can expect cool riffs and a good time!