Monzi im Interview zum Album „Swings“

Monzi im Interview über sein Album „Swings“

Am 11. April erschien mit „Swings“ das Album des Berliner Songwriters Monzi. Wir haben ihm dazu einige Fragen zum Album, der Produktion, seinem Werdegang und vieles mehr gestellt. Das ganze Interview liest du jetzt hier auf dem Blog.

You’ve spent over a decade in Berlin, starting out as a street musician. Looking back, what was the hardest part of that time – and what kept you going?

Monzi: „The hardest part was undoubtedly having to make the hard decision to step away from music to focus on my own personal situation, which at the time was quite bleak. The back lash to that, was of course, my own inner voice of harsh critique and a sense of overwhelming failure which hung around for a while. That said, it was for the best and a decision that ironically stood to me. I ended up taking a job in construction to get some money together. But the inner desire and drive to get back to music in a more meaningful,
healthier and creative way was something which always kept knawing away at me. When I did eventually get back to making music it was on my own terms. I built my own studio and started to get some songs together. For me, making music is something which never turned off, it might have run hot or cold but never did it switch off completely that’s what kept me going and what still keeps me going to this day.“

Your debut album “Swings” was recorded over two years, but it reflects an even longer journey. What were some of the biggest highs and lows during the making of this record?

Monzi: „Swings as the name suggests, represents the ever shifting ebb and flow of life. Looking back now the highs and lows all somehow amalgamate into one kind of level playing field. But if I were to pick a high I would have to say it was the birth of my son. Becoming a dad grounded me and allowed for a deeper connection to myself which I believe shows in the writing. A low point came when I realised that I had to reevaluate where I was going with the record. At one point it was turning into an R’n’B ‘thing’ and probably not a good ‘thing’ at that. We had spent quite some time on songs that lead us down a rabbit hole which was very disheartening. It was also around this time that Christian (Friend,Producer and cowriter) had told me that he had a definite date to immigrate to London which also added to the pressure of writing and getting the record finished. I remember sitting on a street bench late at night and thinking, ‘we’re never going to get it done’. Thankfully I was wrong and we now have ‘Swings’.“

You describe Berlin as having a „gravitational pull. “ What was it about the city that made you stay, and how has it shaped your sound and songwriting?

Monzi: „I first arrived in Berlin in the Summer of 2011. I had come from Ireland which at the time held a social and economical weight over me which was dragging me down. Feeling the vibe of what I’ve since come to know as a “Berlin Summer” was enough to hook me. The parks were full of people having a great time, something unimaginable when it comes to Irish weather. That Summer I got lost in a sea of like minded creatives which at the time felt exactly what I was looking for. The City is all over the record. Not to mention the track ‘Ten Years in Berlin’ where a melancholy melody celebrates the 10th year Anniversary of ones arrival to Berlin. ‘Summer Honey’ could also be described as a nod to that faithful Summer of 2011. The songs were mostly written here and it was all recorded here. The front cover was taken in a Spiele Platz in Mitte so its safe to say that Berlin Shaped the record inside and out!“

Many of the songs on Swings feel deeply personal, even nostalgic. Was there a moment during the recording process when you felt like you had found your voice – or at least something close to it?

Monzi: „Swings was made on a ‘stop start’ and ‘drip feed’ sort of diet. The early demo sessions helped the working relationship between Christian and I, even though we had been working together for many years up to that point. For me, it was a slow constant struggle (at times) of writing and just seeing what felt right when I sang it. Christian was my sound board and he gently steered me back on track whenever I veered off it, he was amazing. I think the moment, if you can call it that, was when I brought Ten Years in Berlin in. Christian said, it had a magic to it. I think it gave us a good direction which was needed at the time.“

You’ve mentioned becoming a father during this time. How did that experience change your relationship with music and the stories you want to tell through it?

Monzi: „Becoming a dad improved my time management skills that’s for sure. It also gave me a deeper understanding and connection to what I was trying to say. We started working on demos before the birth of my son and after a 6 month break got back to it. I noticed the writing was a lot more coherent first time around with less editing in the lyrics. Normally I’d edit and work up rewrites for weeks but
It poured more freely I think.“

Now that Swings is finally out in the world – what are your hopes moving forward? Do you see this as a closing chapter, or just the beginning of something new?

Monzi: „In many ways I see Swings as a new starting point. Building on what is already there is quite appealing to me. Another album is an obvious thought. There’s also unreleased material knocking about so, who knows…. I’m looking forward to playing live shows. The band are sounding great already so a tour will certainly push that to new heights.“

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