Johannes Brecht – Try

By starrymag | September 26, 2023

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Basically, I would say house music with a very organic sound. The combination of various sound sources especially acoustic classical instruments. It’s always important to me to record a performance on an instrument. And sonically I find the combination of acoustic, digital and analog sources very interesting. Like electronic acoustic chamber music.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) In electronic music, these are probably Jeff Mills, but also more house-y artists like Larry Heard. The acoustic groove music or afrobeat by Fela Kuti. But also jazz or free jazz stuff like Sun Ra. And, of course, a lot of classical music, I love Bach.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Try.”

 

A) Actually, it is my love for the original of Bugge Wesseltoft and Sidsel Endresen. I asked Bugge sometime ago if he could send me the stems of the track so I can make my own version for my live set. That’s how the track came to life!

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) Well, hopefully people feel the same as me and love the great voice of Sidsel and the wonderful lyrics. I also find the new harmonies of the strings underline the mood and it goes on beautifully.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) It’s not really a classical music video, more a kind of montage that tries to stimulate the thought processes of viewers by intercutting images The viewer has to make the – intellectual-conceptual connection between the images

Q) What is your track-producing process? Do you need beatsbefore you can create lyrics or allow other artists to contribute lyrics?

 

A) I often have a kind of basic mood in my head. That can be harmonies, a melody or even a beat. I then try to sketch that out quickly. When I work with singers, this sketch is the basis on which lyrics etc. are developed.

Q) How much of handdo you have in the production of your music?

 

A) It is very important to me to make the music as personal as possible. Therefore, I produce my pieces completely myself, of course. Also, the mixing of the music I do in my studio.

 

Q) You’ve recently released songs “Talking Heads” and “Try,” so will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) Oh, I do not know it yet so precisely. An important reason for me to start my own label 0b16a9 was to be able to release music more spontaneously and not have to stick to any plans.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) That’s a very difficult question, there were so many beautiful places. I think I cannot answer that in a few words.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I find it very exciting to work with other instrumentalists. Especially from other genres!

 

Q) You recently created your own label 0b16a9. What are you looking for in up-and-coming musicians?

 

A) The label is actually for my own music for now. Maybe I’ll open that, but for now it stays like this.

 

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) At the moment I listen to a lot of classical music. I really like the recordings of Bach chorales by Igor Levit. I also just discovered the string quartets by Mendelsohn.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) That’s a good question. I’m actually not so sure about that. I don’t use social media privately. But, of course, it’s important to have a social media presence these days as an artist.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you.

 

 

 

 

Watch The Video For “Try”