Rea Garvey: "I'm not a womanizer"

"Neon" is the name of Irish singer Rea Garvey's fourth studio album. In an informal chat with event., the singer and talent coach reveals why he had to go on a long journey for his new CD, what he loves about Switzerland - and why he still doesn't understand women despite having seven sisters.

He is big, strong and has a firm handshake like a grizzly. But the bear is relaxed, even though the Irishman is currently on a promotional tour. Nevertheless, he radiates a pleasant calm. Like someone who has undertaken an endlessly long journey and has now completely found himself. Travel is the singer/songwriter's recipe: "I had to travel to get on a journey. Getting out of your comfort zone is a danger for any musician. That's why I set off on something new again this time, so I could keep going." Garvey jetted off to the USA, Sweden, London and Iceland: "It's incredibly beautiful there, but I asked myself: Hey, what are you doing here? So far away from home? My head told me I should go back to Berlin."

"It's incredibly beautiful there, but I asked myself: Hey, what are you doing here? So far away from home? My head told me I should go back to Berlin."

He let this feeling guide him and ended up in Berlin. There, in the German metropolis, he experienced the key moment for the new album "Neon". It clicked, alongside hip-hop producer Abas. Diving into the rap genre - an absurd thought for the rock musician - but he allowed it to happen. "Then we wrote the first song together. There was this sound, this relationship, it went full force in the direction of hip-hop. I love that!" On "Is it Love?", Abas lays the foundations for the track. Garvey continues alone - and bang, thirty seconds later he has the song. "It was a great exchange," Garvey recalls.

This is how "Neon", his new baby, the fourth studio album, was created piece by piece. He has already proven in the past that he has a knack for chart success: His three solo CDs contain many hits that have sold more than a million copies. Great success for his Palmares. Generally for an Irish boy who grew up in modest circumstances and settled in Germany for his career.

Bright colors for the right attitude to life

A bright color as an album title? "For me, neon is first and foremost a positive word. Originally I wanted to call it "Blacklight", under the ultraviolet light you see things that the naked eye doesn't see. My aim was to create a different perspective." When he tells his daughter (aged 5) about it, she thinks the album should be called "Neon": "I immediately liked the name, the meaning is the same." "Neon" reminds him of the wild 80s, of disco and bright, cheerful colors: "Creating color with the title, that's what I like!" When Rea Garvey laughs, fine laugh lines form around his eyes. And he likes to laugh a lot. He is bursting with energy, not a trace of tiredness.

He recently traveled to South Africa with his suitcase, guitar and family for the TV show "Sing meinen Song": "I knew it would be intense, the "Sing meinen Song" program. But I really wanted to experience it!" At the invitation of fellow musician Mark Forster, he meets up with Judith Holofernes, Johannes Strate, Marian Gold and Mary Roos around the campfire. His mission: to reinterpret a song for Vox. A new experience for him. Garvey creates his own work from the Grand Prix d'Eurovision song "Aufrecht geh'n" (1984) by pop legend Mary Roos (69). He hits the bull's eye: Mary Roos' heart breaks and tears well up: "It was like a reunion of friends. When I performed my song, it was just wow," recalls Garvey. The TV audience also enjoyed the musicians' reunion.

Another season is planned for next year, according to the broadcaster. With the likeable Irishman? That is not known. That would be a jackpot, as "Sing meinen Song" is one of the most popular and successful music shows in the German-speaking television world. The format has been around since 2014, with varying line-ups - not bad in the fast-moving TV age, where a new format is dropped from the program after just one low in ratings. He has also been a judge on "The Voice of Germany" several times. On "Sing meinen Song", Garvey has definitely found pleasure in exploring various genres and playing with them. But there are also limits: "Yes, there are a few corners of jazz or dark metal that don't appeal to me. I'm a bit lost without melody. Jazz is a wonderful kind of music, it's not a competition."

Soon Swiss "The Voice" with Garvey?

Speaking of competitions, after "Sing meinen Song", could he imagine taking a seat on the jury of "The Voice of Germany" again? Or are the days of casting shows over? "No, 'The Voice' is not a show, but rather an experience. The talents have to be passionate about what they do, just like Max Giesinger." The show is a good platform, but no guarantee of success: "What you make of it is up to you. The breakthrough is not delivered to you, you have to stand up and get it."

"What you make of it is up to you. The breakthrough is not delivered to you, you have to get up and get it."

He is generally critical of such formats, saying they are often an abuse of the music and the people. "The Voice" is a fair alternative. One that he would like to bring to Switzerland. "I'm a big fan of Switzerland. Everything is so beautiful here. When you drive through Switzerland, you see the power of nature. And the Swiss don't ruin that. You live in nature and appreciate nature."

Destination: personal happiness

Perhaps he will soon be able to seek out his first talents when he performs live on2. October live at Halle 622 in Zurich-Oerlikon? Who knows. Until then, he is enjoying the happiness of having given his best with "Neon": "I feel like I'm at the top of the wave at the moment. Sometimes it takes two or three years to get to that point again. In between, you cry and sweat, it's almost unbearable," says Garvey in his charming German-Irish gibberish, playing with his wedding ring in the meantime. Garvey is married, has a daughter and grew up with seven sisters.

He is surrounded by women. Does he know what makes women tick? "The moment I say that, I'd be a total loser. Every woman is different, you can't generalize. I've simply learned to be open." Several girlfriends crossed the singer's path before he fell in love with his current wife Josephine: "She was the one I was looking for. It was a long road, but a beautiful one," he says, smiling mischievously. His eyes smile with him and say it all. Rea Garvey has arrived on his personal and musical journey. You can hear and feel it.

REA GARVEY
October 2, 2018, Hall 622, Zurich Oerlikon
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