He was a DSDS contestant, stood on the catwalk for Versace, among others, and now makes German pop music. Wincent Weiss has made it - without Dieter Bohlen.
Wincent Weiss is probably the most promising name in the German pop industry. The 24-year-old is good-looking, has a great voice and writes his own music. He only taught himself to play the guitar and sing when he was 17. In 2013, he took part in "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" and was one of the 30 best candidates. In between, he modeled for Versace in Milan, among others. His big hit "Musik sein" was released on April 11, 2016. It then took over a year for Wincent Weiss to release his first album "Irgendwas gegen die Stille". We spoke to him about the production, tour life and his fitness.
Your first album "Irgendwas gegen die Stille" is now on the market. How were the reactions?
On the release day itself, the album was only available digitally, not yet physically, as it was a German public holiday. And accordingly, there were only online reviews, as there were no newspapers. That was special. But the reactions were all very positive, which makes me happy.
The title "Something against the silence" sounds a bit casual, don't you think?
It's a line from the song "Musik sein", from my first big hit. We wanted to cement that, and with the album we want to deliver something against silence for everyone. Everyone can decide for themselves which track that is.
What was important to you during the album production?
That I was always involved. We spent days and nights in the studio writing and producing songs. And it was also important to me that people could get to know me better on the album.
Are all the lyrics autobiographical?
Yes, all of them. For example, I wrote "Only a heartbeat away" for my little sister. And then there are songs about my first relationship, my current relationship, my best friends, about a friend who committed suicide and about my family. Simply everything that has been on my mind in my life over the last few years.
"I didn't buy a guitar until I was 17."
You were on the German jury for the Eurovision Song Contest this year. Surely taking part would be something for you too?
Oh no ... I'm super happy that I was on the jury, it was an honor. I don't think the competition would be for me. I'd rather sing at concerts for my fans, I don't want to compete with other countries and artists.
What do you like best about concerts?
The fan contact. I like to jump into the crowd during a performance and walk around in the audience. The fans' reactions are always interesting. I'll never forget
the moment when the fans sang along to my songs for the first time.
Does the great fan love sometimes scare you?
Not so far. If you're more successful, then it's certainly extreme, but for me everything is still in the normal range at the moment.
Has no fan rung the doorbell yet?
No, fortunately not (laughs).
What is tour life like? Do you have a tour bus?
Yes, we had one for the first time on the last tour. I can sleep in it like a baby, you're practically rocked to sleep. Super cool! In the morning you arrive in the next city, breakfast, set-up, sound check, interviews, admission, gig, autograph session and photos, and then it's on again.
How do you keep fit?
I like to go jogging and try to go to the fitness rooms in the hotels. I try to eat as healthily as I can, which is difficult on tour. Sometimes you have to eat at a gas station. Every year on New Year's Eve, I always make these resolutions that I don't keep a month later.
Were you already musical as a child?
No, I'm a late bloomer. I only bought a guitar when I was 17 and taught myself to play and sing. My family is totally unmusical, I had nothing to do with music.
What music do you listen to in your private life?
Metal. Bring Me The Horizon, Asking Alexandria and Issues are my favorite bands. But the names mean nothing to most people.
A stark contrast to your own music!
Sure, but I can express myself much better in German and write the songs much better. I also feel very comfortable singing in German pop.
Who are your musical role models?
I don't really have any. I used to always want to be able to sing like Chester Bennington from Linkin Park. But of course I want to be as famous as Andreas Bourani one day.
Shortly before the 2017 Echo Awards, Jan Böhmermann made fun of German pop music in his show "Neo Magazin Royale". Justified criticism?
Unfortunately, I didn't see it. That's his job, satire, but he could actually have
but he could have applied his criticism to any style of music and not just German pop. But we make music for people who like German pop, and there are a lot of them. If you don't like it, you don't have to listen to it.
What do you like about Switzerland?
I think all the hotels here are great. And the food, but it's super expensive. I once paid 48 francs for two kebabs in St. Gallen.
What was in them? Gold?
No, but I wondered that too. It was a normal kebab with water. But maybe they ripped us off, it was 3 a.m. and I was a bit drunk (laughs).
A party person!
Not at the moment. Back then we played in a club and then stayed for the party. But now it's all about the music, there's not much time left for parties. Unfortunately.
So you do like to party?
Sure, but I have to take it easy, if only because of my voice. If you drink once, you can't sing the next day. After a gig, my band always sits together and has a beer, and I sit next to them and watch. Unless I have the day off afterwards.
