Music

Tim Bendzko: "My private life is as boring as any other"

01/01/2017 written by Michel Imhof
Since his first hit "Nur noch kurz die Welt retten", Tim Bendzko has been inspiring audiences with his German-language songs. We talked to him about his new album, his upcoming tour, Peter Maffay and his job as an ESC judge.
You released your third album "Immer noch Mensch" in October. You say that the third album is the most important for an artist. Why is that?

If a musician has released two albums and one was blue and the other pink, then the third color determines what kind of music you actually make. I'm open to all styles of music and I'm also ready for musical experiments. But you can only do that once you've defined your own sound.
There are only sounds from real, existing instruments on the album. Why is that?

We didn't just use real instruments, we also did without computer processing. I wanted the songs to be played exactly as they are on the album with a band.
Are you afraid of slipping into Schlager with the German lyrics?

No. People like to pigeonhole it and say that German-language music is directly Schlager, but my music is different in terms of lyrics, vocals and music.
You recorded the album at your home. Where is that?

Berliner: Tim Bendzko was born in the German capital and still lives there.
I wanted to get my own studio three years ago. I had a studio space, but it was too far away from my apartment. That's why I moved into a house on the outskirts of Berlin and set up a studio there. You can't see my home in the pictures in the album though, that was too intimate for me.
Your dog Frido also made it onto the album cover.

Exactly. That was more of a coincidence, Frido was only there because otherwise he would have been home alone all day. He walked into the picture during the shoot. And in the end, the pictures with him were simply better than the pictures without him.
Do you have time for him at all?

Not much at the moment, but he's in good hands. Otherwise I take a lot of time when I'm writing an album and I'm not on tour or rehearsing.
You studied theology and non-Christian religions. How religious are you yourself?

Not at all. I only studied it because I was interested in how people believe and why they believe. If you watch the news, it feels like the whole world is still controlled by questions of faith. People should have understood that faith is a private matter.
Why don't you reveal anything about your private life?

I simply don't say anything about it because I don't think it's exciting. Many journalists always want to make it clear to me that my private life is of burning interest to readers, but I don't believe that. It would probably shatter some illusions if people saw that my life is just as boring as any other.
What message do you want to give people with your music?

I'm not the finger-pointing type who wants to tell people what to think. I put emotions into songs and I think it's nice when people can identify with the thoughts.
How far along are you in planning your upcoming tour?

All my thoughts are currently revolving around the tour. It will be bigger than my last tour. I want to keep my party intimate, but also be able to let it rip. But I don't want to give any more away.
You recorded the song "Ich bin Tabaluga" together with Peter Maffay for the new Tabaluga album. How was that?

Relatively unspectacular, we didn't even meet. Peter was unable to attend. But it was great to have a surprise appearance on his current Tabaluga tour.
What music are you currently listening to?

None at the moment. I'm enjoying every second of peace and quiet. I don't listen to any music during album production either, it's too dangerous. Suddenly you unconsciously get an earworm and subconsciously copy a track. I want to avoid that. If I do, then I listen to music consciously and not on the side, but I don't have the time for that at the moment.
Do you listen to your own music?

No. I'm very happy that the album production is over and I don't have to listen to the new songs up and down anymore. I only listen to my stuff after a long time, just recently my first album. It turned out really well (laughs).
And when your songs are played on the radio?

At first I'm happy, of course. But when other people are on, I always switch it off quickly. I find that situation a bit uncomfortable.
You are on the jury for the next German Eurovision entry. Would taking part in the ESC not be for you?

I don't think my style of music would suit the ESC. My music is very handmade. That's why I prefer to keep a low profile and sit on the jury.
What does a successful ESC entry have to have?

That's the funny thing: I have no idea either! Whenever I watch the ESC, I think I've recognized the winner. Sometimes the guess is okay, sometimes I'm totally wrong. Only in 2012 with Loreen and her song "Euphoria" was I completely sure.
You were also on the German expert jury then.

Exactly, now I can say it: I gave the highest score to the Swede back then.
How do you perceive Switzerland?

I'm only ever here for work, which is a shame. I've recently discovered hiking for myself. So of course I have to explore Switzerland on foot.
Can you ski?

No. I'm from Berlin and somehow never learned. I know myself: I'd be cautious on the first day, but exuberant on the second. I have a talent for breaking all my bones.
Where do you see yourself in 15 years?

I'm not planning that far ahead. I always try to deal with the present. But if I'm still making music in 15 years' time, I'll be a happy person.

TIM BENDZKO +BAND
Wed May 10, 17 Hall 622 Zurich
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Translated with DeepL