Composer. Songwriter. Author.
What those quotations leave us with, though, is this: If you are an artist, you have to give and give and give and never expect anything in return:
You owe the world. No one owes you.
That might sound daunting. At the same time, I think it is liberating.
Go out and rock. Now. … Continue readingYou owe the world
In which I extend my lifespan by cooking the perfect omelette. … Continue readingAdventures in South Africa, pt. III
In which I work in a chocolate factory and find bandmates who can not play any instruments.
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world…” … Continue readingAdventures in South Africa, pt. II
In which I permanently heighten my senses and improve my music by drinking coffee.
“Ollie saw me, recognized me and advised me to have a different coffee variety than the time before. He actually knew which one that had been. After nine months and just one encounter…” … Continue readingAdventures in South Africa, pt. I
This song is a long story, cut short. I wrote it over the course of several years in different places until I finally rewrote the lyrics from scrap and changedContinue readingCome Home
After almost 20 years of struggling with being unable to sing, finding fellow musicians and getting any music published, I suddenly knocked out a finished song, complete with vocals andContinue readingThe Story of The Eye and the Hand or: How to turn your weakness into a strength
I am currently in Cape Town, South Africa, working on a few projects and also finishing writing songs for my next album. My next release will be focussed on acoustic guitar and voice with only a few additions of drum or piano here and there. I am very excited about this project as it is mainly the fruit of my vocal lessons with the wonderful Angelika Norwidat during the past two years. “The Ballad of Timothy Mann” is dedicated to my dear friend Tim. He lives and works in Alaska. I met him on a trip through New Zealand, he is a lovely person and a singer/songwriter himself. Enjoy and let me know how you like it. … Continue readingThe Ballad of Timothy Mann
When it comes to the feminine beauty ideal the world seems to be changing its view and is even beginning to stigmatize superficial views. However, in music most of the world still clings to an ideal, a very restrcitive set of rules that describe what a song has to be like in order to be considered good. Is this ever going to change? … Continue readingBig, firm tits = Good song?
It happens again and again: No matter how much I prepare and practice and study, no matter how hard I try, working on new songs sometimes feels like talking with a sore throat. I often ask myself how I could possibly come with any good song in the past. In hindsight I can’t hep but wonder where I took the creativity from. How can you beat the Creative Doldrums? … Continue readingHow to beat the Creative Doldrums
Meet Violet, the beautiful girl. I wrote this song in the summer of 2013, inspired by Tim Hammel whom I met in New Zealand earlier that year. … Continue readingViolet