With her new album "All We Need Is Love", Stefanie Heinzmann wants to remind people how important love is. We met her and talked about insecurities, fear and smiles.
event: Your new album is called "All We Need Is Love". Doyou really think love is enough?
Stefanie Heinzmann: I'm convinced of that. There are so many insecurities, prejudices, fear and terror in the world. Especially nowadays with all the hate comments on social media: these are not people who have a healthy, social environment or are at peace with themselves. These people need a hug and someone to tell them that they are good just the way they are.
So it's also about love for yourself. Not easy.
Not at all. In our society, you have to be super and look beautiful. I think we owe it to life and our bodies to value ourselves. It's definitely not easy, but it is possible. It means you have to say things to yourself that you don't believe at first.
How do you deal with it?
I've been working on it for years. Sometimes it gets better, sometimes worse. But now I can say that when I get into phases where I'm insecure, I get out of them much faster.
How do you deal with negativity?
I try not to have any expectations of those around me, because it doesn't have to mean that everyone sees things the same way as me. I like constructive criticism. But if it's just pure hatred, I give that person a smile.
A smile?
A lot must have happened to people with such hateful comments. I don't know the stories. I know that it has nothing to do with me and I want to do something good for that person.
What was the biggest challenge when writing the songs?
Making an album and being happy with it. I wrote over 50 songs for this record that are good. I've never made an album where I was so honest. Even to myself. That also means that you put everything on the table in all these sessions: the feelings and all the insecurities.
There are a lot of personal stories. Don't you have any problems sharing these
publicly?
Not at all. I'm someone who talks a lot about my own feelings. It's the only way I don't bottle it up inside. That's why I think it's a nice thing to share my stories.
What do you want to say to your fans?
Insecurities are not bad. Everyone has them. They make us grow and make us human. The last two years have really not been easy. I've shed so many tears. These sadnesses and insecurities are extremely important to find out: What do I want? Who am I? Of course, I hope to help and show my fans and all listeners with this album: You are not alone with these feelings and
thoughts.
You dedicated the song "Mother's Heart" to your mother. How did she react?
Of course she was extremely happy, and she also thinks the song is beautiful. My mother knows all the insecurities too. It goes from one generation to the next. It was really nice, she understood that too.
Which song are you particularly proud of?
I have a personal connection to every song. The song that sums it all up for me is "All We Need Is Love". That was one of the first songwriting sessions back then, and the moment the song was finished, I knew: that's where the album is going. That's what I want to do. I want to give love.
How do your friends deal with your fame?
There have been a lot of friendships that haven't stood up to it in recent years. The ones I still have now are the unconditional friends. But there are very few of them.
The festival season is starting. Do youlike going to open airs yourself?
I used to go to festivals regularly. Now that I play at one almost every weekend, it's never occurred to me to go to one in between. Except for Gampel, of course.
You'replaying there yourself this year.
Exactly. Of course I'm really looking forward to it.
What do you think of the Swiss festivals?
The locations are beautiful. Everything backstage is always very lovingly decorated. Of course it's extremely great for my band - they come from Germany - to play at Swiss festivals.
What was the last concert you attended?
It was probably James Blunt at Art on Ice (laughs, because she performed there herself
).
Stefanie Heinzmann
05.07. - 24.08.2019, various festivals
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