Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I live in Hamburg, Germany. My father was a musician and my mum is very musical, too. I was introduced to artists the like Van Morrison, The Beatles at a very young age. I always loved music and good songs. I knew I wanted to write songs of my own.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: I’ve been listening to bands like Beatenberg (South Africa) or Half alive. But also the more Folky stuff like Gregory Alan Isakov or Watchhouse. There are so many amazing bands out there.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: The Beatles by a mile. The first album I ever owned was the the Red Album. I think I must havenbeen 7 or 8 at the time. The Beatles, great band. I am sure they’ll make a name for themselves.
Q: You have just released your new album, ‘To Cut A Long Story Short’. Is there a story behind it?
A: The album was recorded over quite a long period of time. Between 2018 and 2021. A good chunk of it was already finished in 2019 but then a rather severe parachuting accident got in the way. I couldn’t walk for a few months and put all musical plans aside for obvious reasons. That experience gave me a different perspective on life and made me write a few more tunes that made it on the album.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: There are a few new songs I am aching to record in the near future. I hope to get into the studio with my producer Ruben Seevers already some time this year. The idea is to first release a couple of singles. Who knows maybe it will turn into an EP or an album in the near future.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: The key elements for me are the melodies and atmosphere we capture in the production. I try to explore life with an optimistic drive and therefore create my songs in a similar fashion. It’s about really experiencing happy moments. The chemistry between two people. The power of the sea. The feeling of being part of something bigger. Those are the things that I talk about in the songs. I hope that is something everybody can relate to.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: I play live a lot. The immediate reaction of the audience is worth every bit of work that goes into it. Most gigs I play are very fulfilling. But sure, I am striving for more. I want a lot more people to get to know my music and I wanna reach a much bigger audience. I am working on it.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: I almost always write with an instrument, the guitar or the piano. I try to sit down and noodle as often as possible. Sometimes you get lucky sometimes you don’t. They call it ‘to go fishing’ I believe. Of course it’s possible to force yourself to write something but for me the best songs come when you least expect them. In moments where there is no pressure. I always try to have as many guitars as possible lying around in the house. Five minutes in the kitchen with a guitar waiting for your coffee to be ready can create so much more than a few hours in the studio.
But of course the real work only then starts. To get the details right and finish all lyrics might be a job done easy at times. But with me it mostly takes a few days or even weeks to polish everything up. It’s so much fun and kills me at the same time. I love it.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: For me it was the passing of a very good friend who left way too soon. But we all have our own story to tell. The dark and the bright moments in life shape our character. And we are all alone at times. At the end of the day it’s all a matter of perspective, really. I generally try not to dwell on the sadness in life unless it’s good for songwriting. haha. Life has been good to me and I try to surround myself with positive people. That always helps.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: It’s the live gigs I have. Just two days ago a large group of people danced to my songs and sang along to lyrics some of them heard for the first time. Stuff I made up alone in my bedroom. It’s incredible and makes me so proud. I cannot get enough of it
Inga Seevers
@ingaseevers