Lauener: "That was initially intended as a subtitle. We realized that the album was all about failed relationships. 'Love' somehow fitted."
The "Bärner Giele" took five years to make their new baby - an eternity in the fast-moving music business. Züri West have been through some tough times, Kuno is now a father of two. And the band is performing in a new formation. Tom Etter (guitar) and Jürg Schmidhauser (bass) are no longer with the band, but Manuel Häfliger (guitar) and Wolfgang Zwiauer (bass) have joined. "They've brought in a new dynamic," says Kuno about the team change and adds: "Manuel is a wild solo guitarist.
It feels good to do more rocking stuff again alongside all the ballads. Wolfgang is a great musician, he has conjured up a lot of elegance in the songs," enthuses Kuno. The new team has composed twelve new songs on "Love" - from melancholy and poetic ("Schatteboxe") to pop and groovy ("Schachtar gäge Gent").
Why has it taken five years since "Göteborg" until the new album? Quite simply, Kuno's life has changed 180 degrees since the birth of his children (now five and three years old): "The first two years of the break were really not about music." Züri West needed the remaining three years to complete the album. A time that frayed the nerves. Life as an artist in Switzerland is no walk in the park. On the contrary: "Since I've been making music, I've let go of any sense of security. You sometimes have sleepless nights when you think you're self-employed," says Lauener. Fortunately, his partner has a solid job, which is reassuring. He doesn't want to complain or be grumpy, he is too much of a singer-songwriter with heart and soul.
It tingles everywhere at gigs
The promotional day for "Love" will soon be over. The tingling continues. Züri West play at many small and large festivals. And the songs haven't sunk in yet. "I'm not a predestined stage hog who gets up on stage, screams 'Fuck you' and hits the gas," says Kuno. As an introverted storyteller, he always has to give himself a muffle when he's struggling with stage fright.
At the moment, his whole body tingles when he thinks about all the gigs. More than a tingle, it's sheer horror. Züri West still have to rehearse the new songs, time is pressing. Then put together a repertoire that works live. "I'm in 'slightly vibrating to nervous' mode!"
His goal on stage: to be steady and radiate nonchalance. The countdown is on, the first gig is on May 4. Kuno sets off. Off to his girlfriend, children and stove. Today he's cooking. As half mommy and half daddy - as he describes himself - he often wields the wooden spoon. Right after that comes band rehearsals. Again and again. He also wants the kids to listen to dad's music. "They are tough critics. Whether it's music or hairstyle, they register everything. I'm very excited," says the new dad. Either way, there's plenty of love for the young and old fans alike.
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